Time: 30 minutes

Your kitchen’s exhaust fan works hard, and if it’s not regularly cleaned it can become a dangerous fire hazard. De-grease it in a few easy steps, and keep your kitchen running safely & smoothly.

What's in it for you?

• Prevent fire hazards
• Extend the life of your exhaust fan
• Improve system efficiency

1. Suit up & unplug. Make sure you don old clothes anytime you’re working with grease and oil. Before doing any work, fully unplug your stove beneath your exhaust fan, and shut off any additional power at the breaker source.

2. Remove the filter. Locate the grease filter on your kitchen’s exhaust fan and unhook the levers or tabs securing it to the fan’s hood. Gently tug on the filter, or run a butter knife under the edges to release it. If you have trouble identifying which piece is the filter, consult your owner's manual or the manufacturer’s website for help.

3. Soak in solution. Slowly add one-fourth cup of dish soap and baking soda to a large pot of water, and bring to a boil. Reserve one cup for later use. Then using a sink or large pan, submerge the grease filter in the boiling solution. Let soak for 15 - 20 minutes and, if needed, scrub gently with a non-abrasive sponge.

4. Rinse & dry. Rinse your filter off with hot water to remove as much leftover residue as possible. Let your grease filter air-dry completely–avoid scrubbing with a towel or cloth since this can damage its surface.

5. Clean inside. While your grease filter is drying, clean the inside of your exhaust fan. Use the cleaning solution you set aside, and a soft sponge to remove as much grease and debris as possible from the inner walls. Don’t forget to also clean the exhaust fan blades!

6. Replace everything. Re-insert the clean grease filter into the exhaust fan in the same way it was removed. Make sure to plug everything back in before turning your fan to ‘on.’