A premium chimney or kitchen hood is essential for any modern Bangalore home. Indian cooking—with its aromatic tadkas, rich gravies, and deep-frying—releases a lot of heavy grease, smoke, and strong odors into the air. A kitchen hood keeps your kitchen air fresh, prevents walls from getting sticky, and protects your expensive cabinetry from grease damage.
However, because a kitchen hood acts as the exhaust system of your cooking space, it takes a heavy beating. Over time, accumulated oils can clog the filters, strain the motor, and even pose a fire hazard. As Bangalore’s trusted kitchen and appliance experts, Unisol brings you a complete guide on how to clean and maintain your kitchen hood.
Why Regular Kitchen Hood Care is Crucial
In a city like Bangalore, where open-plan kitchens and studio apartments are increasingly popular, a malfunctioning chimney can quickly lead to:
- Reduced Suction Power: Clogged filters force the motor to work harder, reducing its efficiency and shortening its lifespan.
- Sticky Kitchen Surfaces: When a hood can’t draw in smoke effectively, oil settles on your beautiful countertops, walls, and cabinets.
- Increased Noise: A strained motor or a grease-heavy fan blower will vibrate heavily, creating an annoying buzz while you cook.
Step-by-Step Guide to Cleaning Your Chimney Filters
How often you clean your hood depends entirely on the type of filter it uses. For heavy Indian cooking, clean baffle or mesh filters every 2–3 weeks.
1. Identify Your Filter Type
Before cleaning, check what kind of filter your Unisol kitchen hood uses:
- Mesh/Cassette Filters: Made of multiple layers of aluminum mesh. They require frequent cleaning as grease easily clogs the tiny pores.
- Baffle Filters: Made of curved stainless-steel panels that cut through the smoke to trap grease. Highly durable and widely preferred for Indian homes.
- Charcoal/Carbon Filters: Used in ductless chimneys to absorb odors. Note: These cannot be washed; they must be replaced every 3 to 6 months.
2. The Boiling Water & Dish Soap Method (Best for Mesh Filters)
- Carefully slide out the filters from the hood.
- Place them in a large tub or a clean sink, cover them completely with boiling hot water, and add a generous amount of liquid dish soap or degreaser.
- Let them soak for 30 minutes to dissolve the hardened oil.
- Scrub gently with a non-abrasive nylon brush, rinse with warm water, and dry completely before re-installing.
3. The Caustic Soda Method (Best for Stubborn Baffle Grease)
For heavily choked baffle filters, caustic soda (sodium hydroxide) works like magic.
- Place the filters in a metal tray.
- Sprinkle caustic soda powder over them and pour boiling water on top. (Work in a well-ventilated area and wear rubber gloves, as this causes a chemical reaction that releases fumes).
- Let it sit for 15–20 minutes. The grease will float off naturally. Rinse thoroughly with clean water and dry.
Don’t Forget the Outer Surface and Blower Fan
While the filters trap the bulk of the oil, the exterior and the internal fan also require attention.
Cleaning the Exterior Body
- For Stainless Steel Hoods: Wipe along the grain using a microfiber cloth and a mild soap solution. Never use steel wool or abrasive powders, which scratch the metal.
- For Glass Panel Hoods: Spray a standard glass cleaner onto a microfiber cloth (do not spray directly onto the touch/gesture control panel) and wipe away grease smudges.
Cleaning the Internal Fan/Blower
Once a year, the internal motor assembly and plastic blower fan need a deep clean. Because this involves dealing with electrical wiring and removing the motor casing, it is highly recommended to call a professional technician from Unisol to avoid damaging the appliance.
4 Simple Habits to Extend Your Kitchen Hood’s Life
- Turn it On Early: Switch your kitchen hood on low speed 2-3 minutes before you start cooking. This establishes a steady airflow pattern in the kitchen before the smoke and steam begin to rise.
- Leave it Running After Cooking: Keep the chimney running for about 5 to 10 minutes after you turn off the stove to ensure all residual toxic gases and lingering odors are completely cleared out. Many Unisol hoods feature a ‘Delay Switch’ timer for this exact purpose.
- Maintain the Correct Height: Ensure your chimney is installed at the optimum distance from your cooktop—typically between 65 cm to 75 cm. Installing it too low can create a fire hazard, while installing it too high reduces its suction efficiency.
- Consider Auto-Clean Models: If you want to skip the hassle of frequent manual scrubbing, upgrade to a Unisol Auto-Clean Chimney. These models feature a dedicated heating element that melts internal grease and collects it in a removable oil cup, which you only need to empty once a month.
Expert Chimney Servicing with Unisol Bangalore
A clean kitchen hood ensures a smoke-free, hygienic, and pristine cooking environment. If your chimney’s suction has dropped significantly, or if it is making unusual rattling noises, it’s time to bring in the professionals.
At Unisol Bangalore, we help you design state-of-the-art kitchens and provide premium maintenance services to keep your appliances in top-tier shape. Contact our Bangalore customer care team today to book a professional chimney deep-cleaning or inspection service!
