The exhaust devices installed above the stove are equipped with air filter elements, which must be cleaned or replaced in case of complete contamination. The purpose of the publication is to consider existing filters for hoods, options for installing them in umbrellas of various models and do-it-yourself cleaning methods.
Varieties of filter elements
The first hoods for the kitchen were made without any filters - a mounted metal umbrella equipped with an axial fan was connected to the outlet through a rectangular channel. The household appliance coped with the removal of soot and fats to the street, but at the same time it was covered with sticky dirt - it was often necessary to wash the case, the impeller and the grille of the air intake device.
The current suspension, island and built-in hoods are devoid of this drawback, since they are equipped with filters of various types:
- acrylic and paper based grease replaceable elements;
- grease trays;
- coal cassette inserts - cartridges;
- combined disposable items.
Recall that there are 2 types of cooker hoods - flow and recirculation. The former emits drawn air into the ventilation shaft or directly onto the street, the latter are made without exhaust and direct the cleaned stream back to the room.
Depending on the manufacturer and model, the exhaust device is supplied with one or two types of filters. For example, most of the slim built-in hoods are equipped only with a fat trap, and the recirculation island versions of the appliances are equipped with coal and grease inserts. Let's consider each type of elements in more detail.
Filters - grease traps
This category of filtering devices for kitchen appliances is divided into 3 groups:
- flat disposable items;
- small mesh aluminum mesh enclosed in a rigid frame;
- same stainless steel.
Removable products look like a thin “rug” and are used in small built-in hoods of various sizes. The filtering material is paper or synthetic fiber based on acrylic, non-woven or synthetic winterizer. The maximum service life of an element is 3 months, provided that the forced air exhaust works no more than 2 hours a day.
An important nuance. The principle of operation of replaceable filters is based on the absorption of fats and soot particles by synthetic fabric. Hence the high degree of purification of the air flow drawn in by the fan.
Stainless steel and aluminum nets are also made to fit household appliances, but are designed for long-term operation. The principle of operation is very simple: droplets of fat and volatile particles are trapped in the smallest cells of several grids placed inside the frame.
We list the pros and cons of each variety of products:
- Disposable grease filter for exhaust hood effectively cleans the air, protects fan parts and ducts from sticky coating. The disadvantage is a one-time use, it is useless to wash and dry the material, only replacement will help. The price of the cleaner depends on the size and ranges from 150 ... 700 rubles. (2.5 ... 12.2 cu).
- Replaceable inserts are universal, that is, they are suitable for all ventilation devices where the installation of such filter products is provided.
- Aluminum and stainless nets are almost eternal, fatty deposits can be cleaned or washed with water with the addition of various chemicals (the technology is described below). The new mesh trap costs significantly more than the replacement version - at least 2 times.
- A significant minus of the strainers is a rather rough cleaning of the air from harmful fumes. Judging by the reviews of real users, after 1-2 years of operation, a drop of fat covers the fan housing, the internal cavity of the umbrella and the outlet channel.
Lyrical digression. Household kitchen suction is not a panacea. Despite the constant use of the hood, yellow spots of fat fall on the walls and cabinets near the stove. The reason is the large distance from the suction opening to dishes with cooked food. To effectively remove the harmfulness, the umbrella must be omitted, but then it will become inconvenient to cook. It is impossible to catch fumes from a working oven physically.
Carbon cartridges
The principle of operation of sorption carbon cartridges is fundamentally different from the operation of grease filters. Activated carbon granules placed inside a plastic cartridge clean the air stream from harmful fumes and fine particles. In practice, this means the following:
- a charcoal filter for extracting is able to clean the air from odors of food and exhaust gases;
- air mass that has been treated with absorbent material can be fed back into the room;
- contaminated carbon powder or granules cannot be washed with water and thus restore the functionality of the element, the used cartridge must be replaced;
- cartridges are used in all island hoods without air outlet to the outside (recirculation);
- in direct-flow exhaust devices, carbon inserts are used as the second stage - fine air purification.
History reference. The first gas masks manufactured during the USSR also used treatment tanks filled with activated carbon dust. Purpose - the capture of toxic chemicals - gases and liquid droplets.
Filters filled with absorbent are made in the form of plastic disposable cartridges and flat "rugs". Depending on the model of the exhaust system, cartridges of a rectangular or round shape with a hole in the center are used.
The maximum life of a carbon element is 6 months. With intensive and frequent cooking, this period is halved. The cost of products - from 190 rubles. (brand Gefest) up to 2000 rubles. (Rainford). There are also more expensive specimens, for example, Faber 112 Fabula for 12.5 thousand rubles.
Tip. The first enemy of the filtering sorbent is moisture contained in the intake air. If you want to extend the life of a coal cartridge - after cooking, ventilate the kitchen and leave the exhaust fan on for 10-15 minutes to dry.
Combined inserts
A filter product of this type is a two-layer flat element - “mat”, filled with synthetic fiber and granules of activated carbon - sorbent. The synthetic winterizer is located below and absorbs fat, the upper carbon layer deactivates harmful gas impurities.
Universal inserts - disposable, suitable for hoods designed for flat removable filters. The working resource is no more than 3 months with daily use, the price is about 30-40% higher than the cost of single-layer cloth grease traps. Example: a product measuring 47 x 57 cm from the manufacturer Filtero costs 690 rubles. (12 c.u.), Top House brand - 490 rubles. (8.5 cu).
Replacement Instructions
As we found out above, disposable grease, combination and charcoal cartridges cannot be regenerated by washing or washing. A contaminated item should be replaced if the following symptoms are found:
- the indicator label or the inscription on the thin grease filter applied by the manufacturer has changed color (usually turns red);
- thrust decreased significantly, the noise of the fan significantly increased;
- the carbon cartridge has reached the end of its life;
- hoods of some brands are equipped with differential pressure sensors, indicating the complete clogging of the filter cloth or carbon cartridge.
Attempts to wash a clogged disposable filter, of course, have been made by many users. The result is negative, it is unrealistic to remove absorbed fat from the fibers. The washed synthetic filler clogs pretty quickly again.
First you need to buy an air purification element for a particular hood. It is better to give preference to original filters of the same brand as your household appliances. In other cases, the manufacturer does not play a special role. If the product of the required size could not be found, take a universal grease absorption filter - it fits most exhaust devices.
How to remove and install a new filter that traps grease fumes:
- Disconnect the appliance from the house mains by unplugging the plug. Caution is not out of place - in the process of disassembling some models, you can accidentally hit the fan start button.
- Pull the built-in panel all the way towards you.
- From the bottom, find the latches or plastic clips that hold the frame with the filter insert. Unlock them and remove the part.
- Disconnect the used filter and install a fresh one. The frame should first be washed with a kitchen product and dried. Watch the procedure for replacing the video:
Activated carbon cassettes are usually located behind the grease trap. To get to the carbon filter, the latter must be dismantled. The cartridge itself is secured with clips or a screw for a Phillips screwdriver.
Before servicing the inclined-type wall-mounted hood, fold down the front shield. How to install a carbon filter on a similar household appliance is shown in a short video:
How to clean a greasy metal mesh
It is recommended to wash grease and soot from strainers made of stainless steel or aluminum at least 1 time per month. The ideal option is weekly flushing, then the grill does not have time to overgrow with plaque and is easily cleaned.
The easiest way to remove deposits recommended by the manufacturers is to remove and place the catch net in the dishwasher. The option is not suitable in case of severe pollution, and a dishwasher is not in every home.
To clean the grates, use any alkaline-based household fats that dissolve fats:
- ordinary baking soda;
- laundry soap;
- gel designed for washing dishes and plumbing;
- cleaning fluids for ovens, gas and electric stoves (some are sold in spray packaging).
Tip. In especially neglected cases, when the hood has not been washed for years, the chemicals listed will not help. Buy a powder or gel for punching blockages of sewage pipes such as “Mole” or caustic liquid that cleans soot from pots (for example, “Milam”). Be sure to wear rubber gloves during operation!
With minor contamination, there is no point in acquiring household chemicals - just wash the net with soda. How to clean a metal filter in this way:
- Remove the dirty exhaust grill and place in a wide iron bowl (bowl).
- Prepare a washing solution consisting of 3-5 liters of water and 1-2 packs of soda. Pour liquid into a bowl with wire rack.
- Heat the container on the stove and boil over low heat for 10-15 minutes. If the dirt does not come off, continue boiling. After rinsing and drying the filter, replace it.
An important point. Before installing a cleaned mesh, carefully inspect the internal cavity of the hood and the fan housing - a drop of fat will probably be found on the surfaces. The reason we mentioned above is that the mesh elements do not retain 100% of the vapor. It is better to remove plaque immediately - after accumulation it is much more difficult to clean it.
In conclusion - a tip for upgrading the grill
The purpose of the improvement is to get rid of the fumes deposited inside the hood and on the parts of the fan unit.Since a stainless mesh allows a small fraction of oily droplets to pass through, it is worth finalizing it - fix the inside of a layer of synthetic fiber - tape sintepon or thin foam rubber.