Stainless Steel Range Hood Maintenance

Stainless steel cookware adds a high-end look to a modern kitchen. However, its attractive appearance necessitates some upkeep.

A stainless-steel cooker hood can quickly become covered in unsightly marks due to regular contact with grease, food, smoke, and fingers.

Cleaning stainless steel is more complicated than simply grabbing an all-purpose cleaner and getting to work. To avoid damaging the surface of this metal, it must be cleaned with specific products and techniques.

But don't worry, we'll give you all the information you need. This article will show you how to clean a stainless steel cooker hood, including which products to use, which to avoid, and how to restore it to its natural sheen.

Which Products Should You Use and Which Should You Avoid

When it comes to cleaning a stainless steel cooker hood, you can't just grab any old cleaner and start scrubbing; there are some products that are better for this material and others that you should avoid entirely.

The worst stainless steel products

Bleach or bleach-containing products

Never use bleach on stainless steel appliances because it will leave brown marks. These are not stains, but corrosion caused by bleach attacking the metals in stainless steel.

However, if you have bleached your stainless-steel cookware, it can still be saved. However, it is preferable to avoid it in the first place.

Cleaning tools with abrasives

Also, never clean stainless steel with an abrasive scrubber, such as metal scouring pads or brushes with metal bristles. These can leave small scratches on the surface and even metallic fibres that can rust.

The top stainless steel products

Products that have been specially formulated

If you look online, you'll find a plethora of cleaning products that have been specially formulated to clean stainless steel. These items are a safe bet because they should not contain any ingredients that could harm a stainless-steel surface.

Keep it simple.

You can clean stainless steel with a product that you already have in your kitchen: dish soap. It is gentle enough not to erode or leave marks on stainless steel.

You can also use vinegar and baking soda, which you may already have on hand. For more stubborn stains, dilute one of the two with water or mix them together.

Brushes, sponges, and cloths

You can use a soft sponge, such as one used to clean dishes, or a soft rag or microfibre cloth. You can use a toothbrush to get into the nooks and crannies of the hood.

Cleaning a Stainless-Steel Cooker Hood

Now that you know what products to stock up on, you can get to work cleaning. Different products and techniques will be required for the inside and outside of the cooker hood.

Cleaning the hood's exterior

Stains such as grease from spitting frying pans or fingerprints from touching the control buttons will be visible around the outside of your stainless-steel cooker hood.

1. Take your cleaning product of choice and apply it directly to the greasy stains;
2. Wipe away the grease with a soft sponge in the direction of the grain. That means wiping in a straight line rather than in circles.
3. Return to the area with a clean, dry cloth to remove any excess product and avoid a streaky residue.
4. If you want a super-shiny finish, apply a clear oil to the surface, such as mineral, baby, or olive oil. However, some people discover that this attracts more fingerprints over time.

Cleaning the hood's interior

In addition to keeping the outside of your cooker hood clean and shiny, the inside requires some attention as well. Because it extracts smoke and is splashed with grease, the interior of the cooker hood can become filthy quickly.

There are several parts inside a cooker hood, but for safety reasons, the first thing you should do when cleaning the interior is turn the oven off.

The next step is to consult the instruction manual or search online for specific instructions for your cooker, as you do not want to damage it.

Filters made of metal

Some cookers have removable mesh filters that keep grease out of the internal workings of the cooker. Grease can accumulate and must be cleaned on a regular basis. Simply remove the filters and clean them with dish soap and a sponge in hot water.

You can use a toothbrush to remove more stubborn stains, or you can put the filters in the dishwasher. Before doing so, always consult the manufacturer's instructions.

Filters made of paper

Alternatively, some overhead cooker hoods are equipped with a grease-trapping paper filter. These do not need to be cleaned, but they must be replaced on a regular basis.

Filters made of carbon or charcoal

These are used in cookers that do not have outdoor ventilation to neutralize odors. They cannot be cleaned and must be replaced if they are no longer working properly.

The cooker hood's interior

You don't have to dismantle the entire cooker hood to clean it, but you can wipe down the interior when you remove the grease filters. Remove any grime with dish soap and a soft brush, then wipe the excess away with a clean, dry cloth.

You may also notice that this area becomes dusty. In this case, wipe it down with a dry microfibre cloth that is free of any product.

Cleaning Stainless Steel

One of the best ways to keep your stainless-steel cooker hood clean is to keep it clean in the first place.

This may appear impossible given the proximity of food and hot oil, but there are a few tricks that can help you reduce greasy smears.

• Get a lidded frying pan. Much of the grease on your cooker hood is most likely from frying pan oil. When frying your food, cover the pan with a lid to keep it contained.
• Before touching the hood, wash your hands. It may be tempting to simply turn everything off after cooking, but if you have any stray dirt or grease on your fingers, it will end up leaving a mark on the stainless steel.
• Clean on a regular basis. It is preferable to tackle small spots rather than large, greasy stains, so wipe down your cooker at least once a week with a microfibre cloth.

In The Wash is your go-to resource for the best laundry and cleaning products, as well as laundry and cleaning tips and tricks. Our goal is to solve the UK's cleaning and laundry problems.