How to Clean a Vent-A-Hood

A stovetop hood range does more than sit and look pretty as a focal point of an active kitchen. The hood range also moves grease particles, cooking smells and smoke from the stove top through the ventilation system. All that hard work can lead to gunk buildup on the hood parts. It may turn on and emit lots of loud noise, but if it is clogged with years of grease and grime, the range hood is working inefficiently at best.

Carefully removing the parts and cleaning them by hand will improve the efficiency of the range hood and cut down on electricity usage. A good Vent-A-Hood cleaning will extend the life of the blower as well. Molly Maids recommends that the range hood exterior and exhaust fan filters within the hood be cleaned at least twice a year.

If you frequently cook with oil or foods with a high fat content under high temperatures, then you may need to clean the range hood more often to keep grease from building up in the moving parts of the blower housing. Before cleaning, always make sure that the hood is unplugged. This will reduce the risk of getting electrocuted or otherwise injuring yourself on the machine.

A good homemade degreaser is a solution of 1 tablespoon of dishwashing liquid combined with 1 gallon of warm water. For stubborn clumps of grease and dirt, mix a paste of one part baking soda with one part dishwashing liquid and slowly pour vinegar into the mix. Rub this paste onto the hard-to-clean areas and allow it to sit for 10 to 30 minutes.

Commercial degreasers can cut down the grime quickly. Spray the degreaser onto the range parts and use a scrub brush to work the cleaner into the grooves and nooks. Rinse well before returning the parts to the range hood.

The Vent-A-Hood range hoods have a built-in blower system to keep the ventilation clean under normal use. While the Magic Lung blower collects the grease by-products that can come from sautéing and frying, it still needs to be cleaned.

The E-Z Clean blower shields should be cleaned regularly to help the Magic Lung do its dirty work. The E-Z Clean blower shields are located toward the front of the hood. Unsnap the suitcase latches that are located on either side of the housing. Remove the blower shields by gently pulling and tilting them forward and away from the housing.

All of the Magic Lung parts can be cleaned in a bucket of warm, soapy water. Allow the Magic Lung to soak before scrubbing and rinsing. According to Vent-A-Hood, the blower housing and E-Z Clean blower shields may also be run through a cycle in the dishwasher. This can be particularly helpful if the blower shields, housing and wheels are sticky with grease and grime.

If the range hood has been making unusual noises or isn't pulling smoke and steam from the stove top area, then you may need to call a professional. Vent hood repair can require electrical and duct work to make it work properly. Vent-A-Hood accessories can be used to create the proper ducting of the range hood.