Kitchen chimneys need to be cleaned periodically to maintain their efficacy and durability. But cleaning the kitchen chimney can be a hectic task as it consumes lots of time.
Kitchen chimneys absorb the smoke and greasy fumes from the kitchen and prevent the oily dirt from settling on the kitchen walls and tiles. However, with regular use, the filters of the chimneys get clogged by the grease of the smoke and lead to the poor suction power of the chimney.
When the kitchen chimney is not maintained regularly, a substance called creosote accumulates in your chimneys that can easily catch fire and can be hazardous.
The deposited layers of grease and smoke provide a favorable environment for the growth of bacteria and fungus that can lead to long-lasting foul smells and various health issues. The strong smell of spices can irritate patients with respiratory disorders.
Table of Contents
How to Clean the Kitchen Chimney at Home
Every part of the kitchen chimney requires different material or method of cleaning. You may not need to call for an expert for cleaning every time.
Let’s learn about various effective methods for easy cleaning of kitchen chimneys at home all by yourself.
Step 1. External Body of Kitchen Chimney
The external body of the kitchen chimneys is given a smooth and shiny finish which makes them easy to clean.
Cleaning materials
- Dishwasher/ paint thinner
- Water to dilute
- 2-3 Cotton cloth pieces
Steps to clean
- Add a few drops of the dishwasher or paint thinner into water and dilute it.
- Soak a piece of cotton cloth/towel in the diluted solution for a min.
- Squeeze the cloth and gently rub on the surface of the chimney.
- Let it foam and leave the setup for a few minutes.
- Take a clean wet cloth to wipe out the dirty foam from the surface.
- Let it dry before using.
Also read – top 5 best chimney and hob combo for your kitchen
Step 2. Filters
Filters are the main part of kitchen chimneys that require major cleaning and are a little fussy. Filters are easily removable and the removal process is mentioned clearly on the respective chimney.
Cleaning materials
- Vinegar
- Baking soda
- brush/scrub
- Cotton cloth /towel
- Hot water
Method – 1
- Add 1-2 spoons of baking soda to a few drops of vinegar and make a fine paste.
- Apply the paste throughout the filter mesh using a brush.
- Let it soak for 5 minutes and then rinse with normal water.
- Keep the filters in the sun and let them dry completely before the next usage.
- You can also use a cotton cloth to dry the filter.
Method – 2
- Add a few drops of vinegar to hot water in a heavy duty tub.
- Soak the filter into it for half an hour.
- Now clean the mesh using the brush or scrub.
- Rinse with normal water and let it dry.
Check out – How to get rid of cockroaches in kitchen
Step 3. Internal Parts Cleaning
Internal parts of the kitchen chimney are somewhat technical, so they must be referred to an expert. You should try to make proper safety measures.
Don’t use water or any liquid such as vinegar/dishwasher to clean any internal parts as it may lead to short circuits.
You can use a dry cloth or toothbrush to wipe the dust and stains contaminating the interior surfaces.
For cleaning the duct of the kitchen chimney, you should prefer to call the experts, however, duct cleaning can be done once or twice a year.
Also read – Best ductless chimney in India
Steps to Clean the Automatic Chimney
Automatic kitchen chimneys are equipped with advanced filters and an auto-clean system. Auto-cleaning chimneys are easy to clean periodically as the use of a single button removes all the dirt.
Autoclean systems are either thermal-based or water-based.
#1. Thermal-based chimney
The heat liberated from different parts of the chimney during the auto-clean process helps in melting out the impurities collected by the chimney.
The oil vapors get heated up and melt into the oil collector attached to the chimney. You just have to remove the oil collector and clean it.
#2. Water-based chimney
Similarly in water-powered auto clean chimneys, as water circulates, the vapors meltdown the oil into an oil collector which can be removed easily and cleaned.
Also read – Bosch kitchen chimney review
Precautions and Safety Measures to Follow
The kitchen chimney must be cleaned by taking the following precautions and safety measures.
- Make sure that the chimney is turned off before cleaning to avoid electric shock.
- Always use gloves to cover hands while cleaning to avoid skin problems like burning and itching.
- Cover your cooking top before cleaning the chimney as the dust may clog the holes in the stove.
- Completely dry all the components after cleaning to prevent shocks and damage to circuits.
- Try to clean the kitchen chimney on a regular basis to maintain its performance and healthy kitchen environment.
Also read – How to clean kitchen sink quickly with less efforts
How Often You Should Clean the Kitchen Chimney
The Indian recipes are a rich blend of spices and oily preparations. Such foods easily block the filter of the kitchen chimneys that need to be cleaned more frequently.
Ideally, the kitchen chimneys should be cleaned after 2-3 months regularly. However, it also depends upon the type of food you cook. When dark and oily stains start accumulating on the kitchen interiors, it indicates that the kitchen chimney needs immediate cleaning.
The kitchen chimneys with cassette filters should be cleaned once a week whereas baffle filters require cleaning once in 2 months. The charcoal filters cannot be cleaned and thus needs replacement after 3-4 months.
Also read – Top kitchen cleaning hacks that save your time
Closing Thoughts
Kitchen chimneys should be cleaned regularly according to their usage. If cleaned periodically, the process takes less time and is easy. Make sure to follow the instructions manual before cleaning the chimney and take necessary precautions. Under any doubts or confusion, do prefer to seek help from a professional assistant. if you are planning to buy new one, then you can read our kitchen chimney buying guide.
