How to Clean a Kitchen Extractor Hood and Canopy in 7 Steps

A kitchen extractor hood pulls grease, steam and smoke away from the hob, so it gets dirty faster than almost anything else in the kitchen. A clogged hood works harder, pulls less air and can drip grease back onto the cooker. This guide explains how to clean a kitchen extractor hood and canopy in 7 steps, including the fan filters, and when it is time to call a professional.

What Counts as an Extractor Hood and Canopy?

In a home, the extractor hood is the unit above the hob, often called a cooker hood. It contains filters, a fan and a light, and either vents air outside or recirculates it through a carbon filter. In commercial kitchens, the larger stainless steel version is called a canopy, and it connects to ductwork that carries grease laden air out of the building.

What You Need

• Rubber gloves and an old towel to protect the hob.
• A degreasing washing up liquid or a kitchen degreaser.
• Bicarbonate of soda and very hot water.
• A soft brush or old toothbrush.
• Non scratch sponges and microfibre cloths.
• A stainless steel cleaner or a little olive oil for finishing.

Step by Step: Cleaning the Hood, Filters and Canopy

Step 1: Switch off the power and let it cool

Turn off the hood and isolate it at the switch or fuse spur if you can. Let the hob and hood cool completely before you start, and cover the hob with a towel to catch drips.

Step 2: Remove the filters

Most mesh or baffle filters unclip from underneath. Check the manual first, as some models have carbon filters that cannot be washed and must be replaced.

Step 3: Soak the metal filters

Fill the sink or a large tub with very hot water, add a generous squeeze of degreasing washing up liquid and a few spoonfuls of bicarbonate of soda, and soak the filters for 15 to 30 minutes. This is the easiest way to clean a kitchen extractor fan filter without harsh chemicals.

Step 4: Scrub and rinse the filters

Use a soft brush to work the softened grease out of the mesh, then rinse in hot water. Repeat the soak if grease remains. Many metal filters are dishwasher safe, but check the manual, as some finishes discolour.

Step 5: Degrease the inside of the hood

With the filters out, wipe the inside of the hood with hot soapy water or a degreaser on a sponge. Clean around the fan housing only as far as you can safely reach, and do not let water run into the motor or light fittings.

Step 6: Clean the outside of the hood

Wipe stainless steel in the direction of the grain with warm soapy water, then dry it to avoid streaks. Glass panels respond well to a mix of water and white vinegar, while painted or black finishes need a gentle cleaner. Avoid scouring pads, which leave permanent scratches.

Step 7: Dry, refit and test

Let the filters dry fully before you refit them, as trapped water can drip onto the hob. Clip them back in, restore the power and run the fan to check it pulls air properly.

How Often to Clean Your Extractor Hood

• Wipe the outside of the hood every week.
• Clean metal filters every 1 to 3 months, or monthly if you fry often.
• Replace carbon filters every 3 to 6 months, or as the manual advises.
• Give the whole hood a deep clean at least twice a year.

Signs Your Extractor Hood Needs Cleaning

• Sticky grease on the outside or underneath the hood.
• Cooking smells and steam lingering longer than usual.
• A louder fan or weaker suction.
• Grease dripping from the filters onto the hob.

Canopy Filter Cleaning in Commercial Kitchens

Commercial canopies work much harder than a domestic hood. Baffle filters in busy kitchens often need cleaning weekly, and the grease that builds up in the canopy and ductwork is a recognised fire risk. Kitchen staff can clean filters and the canopy surfaces, but the extraction system as a whole should be cleaned by trained technicians, usually to the TR19 Grease standard that insurers look for. Our guide to commercial canopy maintenance explains the schedule in detail.

When to Consider Professional Cleaning

Call in professionals when grease has built up for years, when the fan or ducting is hard to reach, or when you run a commercial kitchen that needs records for insurance and inspections. For a full clean of the canopy, filters and accessible ductwork, book a professional canopy cleaning service.