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Aug 9, 2014
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Commercial / General Cleaning: Rangehood
Rangehoods are an important part of your kitchen and keeping them clean and functional is integral if you like to use your kitchen for cooking. Cleaning them is relatively straightforward but the real trickiness comes in having a knowledge of how to dismantle the unit without damaging it and just as significantly putting it back together again. This guide will give you some tips on how to avoid heart sinking crunching sounds and keep your rangehood at peak performance.
Things you will Need:
Degreasing Product: Like most cleaning jobs the product you use to clean will have a big impact on your overall success. Rangehoods usually need a heavy cleaning solution that is specifically designed to cut through grease. Luckily these products are often able to be used across the cooktop and oven so any product you purchase will have some flexibility in terms of usage.
Do it yourself mixtures, particularly those that involve bicarb and ammonia, tend to get positive feedback from the people that use them but always come at a risk: mix it incorrectly or use different ingredients and you run the risk of products and results you can’t predict. In general we advise it is easier and more consistent in the long run to go with commercial products.
Degreasers can be caustic and damage the skin on your hands. They also tend to smell quite span and can irritate your eyes. Always read safety instructions for any product you want to use.
Please note that depending on the product the processing time will differ. Most products come with directions which should always be followed as closely as possible to avoid potential risk or not allowing the product sufficient time. instructions on a can no matter which brand you purchase.
Sponges & Scouring Pads: Sturdy sponges will make or break the cleaning process for you. If they are weak you will shred them on the buildups. Scouring pads are useful for removing really burnt on food but use with great caution: if you are too vigorous you can scratch the insides of the oven causing permanent damage.
Gloves: As oven buildups can often be hard and jagged there is the potential of cutting or scratching your hands on them. span gloves can help avoid this if you are worried. Rangehood filters also tend to be very greasy, which some find unpleasant to deal with directly using their hands.
Washing Detergent: The kind you use for washing dishes. A span detergent is advised.
Surface Spray: Typical surface spray for kitchen surfaces.
Things to Keep in Mind:
Always work with a cold rangehood. If you have recently cooked and utilised the rangehood it can be warmer than you expect.
Being as gentle as possible when dismantling the unit and putting it together is priority. If you damage or buckle it the unit will never fully function again and can lead to other problems [oil buildups and leaks]. For renters this would be a big nightmare.
Try and keep the windows and doors open as many grease cleaners are quite span. Ventilation will lessen the impact, especially on your eyes. Remember that upon dismantling your rangehood the built up oils and grease can drip and run off the filters and sides and all over your cooking unit so if you are doing a full clean of that area do the rangehood first otherwise make sure you lay out grease catching rags or the like.
Rangehood Cleaning: Determining the best way to dismantle the unit is necessary to avoid damage. Some units will require you undo several screws whilst others will have latches that easily allow them to dismantle. Regardless of which it is be as gentle as possible: sometimes grease buildups may make it harder than you would hope to pull apart but excessive force will just risk damage in the long run. If possible [it varies] switching off the unit helps avoid potential danger; if not possible be sure to approach the unit with caution.
Once you have it dismantled you have to determine what kind of filter it is.
A wire mesh that resembles a strainer or A bag or box full of something [usually charcoal] that acts as a filter
If it is a physical filter then remove it and do your best to avoid getting it wet. You may wish to replace the filter with a new one, which would require sourcing them directly.
Start by applying your grease remover to the various elements of the rangehood. This includes the part where the unit sits above the cooker as deep into it as you are comfortable going. Processing time for the cleaner will vary depending on the product so consult the instructions on the pack or for your recipe. Using a wet sponge wipe off as much of the cleaning element and the hopefully now loosened grease as possible. If you feel this has not removed enough you can repeat the process but focus on the stubborn areas.
Using water as hot as possible and a span detergent fill a sink and do a manual dish style clean of the loose elements of the rangehood. You want to be as thorough as possible: the parts that come loose tend to get a lot of buildups, especially in the connecting sections. They will also be quite greasy so hot water and good product will help reduce the frustration of cleaning them.
Cleaning the main body/bracket of the unit [the part that is connected to the wall] can be awkward but at the very least try to assure any areas where the rangehood filter connects to are as clean as possible. This will help the unit when reassembling and help improve the efficiency of the unit by avoiding build-ups. If the unit is powered avoid using wet sponges and the like, rather rags or paper towels with spray on surface cleaner may prove helpful.
Make sure the unit is fully dry and all the pieces are full clean before carefully putting it back together. Note that putting it back together can actually prove more difficult than taking it apart for a lot of models. If you had a unit with a filter be sure that you put it back in place otherwise you will very quickly notice problems with the rangehood.
How Often Should it be Done? Frequency of cleaning should be determined by frequency of use. If you use the cooktop a lot, especially if the food is oily, then the rangehood will require more frequent cleans otherwise it will stop functioning properly and you will notice the air gets smokier quicker. More rangehood suppliers advise monthly cleans of the filters and fittings.
You can be sure that when the Keen To Clean staff visits your home, you will get 100% satisfaction from our office cleaning and commercial cleaning service in all Melbourne, Sydney and Adelaide suburbs. To book a cleaning day, please feel free to drop us a line at 1300-737978, 0425-758379 for 24/7 emergency cleaning, or email us at enquiry@keentoclean.com.au. We are open from Mondays to Saturdays, 8AM till 6:30 PM, in Melbourne, Sydney and Adelaide.

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