Rangehood Care: Your Ultimate Guide

A rangehood is a kitchen essential, designed to remove smoke, odours and airborne grease particles generated during cooking. It’s common to overlook this appliance, but knowing how to maintain and care for your rangehood is essential for its proper function. In our ultimate guide to rangehood maintenance and care, we cover all you need to know. Let’s get started!

The functions of a rangehood

A rangehood, also known as an extractor hood or kitchen hood, is a vital appliance that serves several key functions:

Smoke and odour removal

• A rangehood helps to eliminate cooking-related odours, smoke and airborne particles, ensuring that your kitchen remains fresh and odour-free.

Grease removal

• Rangehoods capture grease and prevent it from settling on your kitchen surfaces. This reduces the need for extensive cleaning.

Improved air quality

• By removing pollutants, a rangehood helps maintain better indoor air quality. This promotes a healthier living environment.

Fire prevention

• Rangehoods lower the fire risk by eliminating flammable cooking by-products in the kitchen.

Proper maintenance and care are vital for your rangehood

Regular maintenance ensures that your rangehood operates at its best.

• Routine care can extend the life of your rangehood, saving you money on premature replacements.
•  A well-maintained rangehood reduces the risk of grease build-up, which can be a fire hazard.
• An efficiently functioning rangehood consumes less energy, contributing to lower energy bills.

Easy rangehood maintenance tasks

Tackle these easy and essential maintenance tasks:

Regular cleaning

• Apply a degreaser to any areas with heavy grease build-up, like the underside of the hood. Allow it to sit for a few minutes to loosen the grease.
• Dip a soft cloth or sponge into the warm, soapy water and scrub the exterior of the unit. Don’t forget to clean the buttons and knobs.
• Inspect the interior of the rangehood and wipe it down with the soapy water. Pay attention to corners and crevices where grease may accumulate.

Clean rangehood filters

Filters help to capture grease and particles. Cleaning them regularly is essential to maintain optimal performance.

Safety first! Before you start any maintenance tasks, turn off and unplug your rangehood. This helps to prevent accidents.

Step 1: Remove the filters

• Depending on your rangehood type, you may have mesh or baffle filters. To remove these filters, carefully follow the manufacturer’s instructions.

Step 2: Soak in hot, soapy water

• Fill a sink with hot water and add a generous amount of dish soap.
• Immerse the filters in the soapy water and allow them to soak for 15-30 minutes. To cut through tough grease and grime, you may need to use a degreaser. We recommend Aktivo Easy Off Oven/BBQ cleaner or Hillmark Rangehood Filter Clean.

Step 3: Scrub gently

• After soaking, use a soft brush or sponge to gently scrub the filters. Pay close attention to areas with stubborn grease buildup.

Step 4: Rinse and dry

• After rinsing the filters thoroughly with hot water to eliminate soap residue, allow them to air dry completely, then reinstall.

Filter cleaning hack: Cut down cleaning time by putting your rangehood filters in the dishwasher! First, enure that your filters are dishwasher safe. Remove them and pre-rinse to eliminate loose debris. Next, place them in the dishwasher’s upper rack. Lastly, add a grease-cutting detergent and run a heavy-duty cycle. When the filters are clean and dry, reinstall them.

Inspect ventilation ducts

Check the ductwork for any obstructions or buildup. Clean or replace the ductwork as needed to maintain proper ventilation.

Replace light globes

Replace any burnt-out globes (bulbs) promptly to maintain adequate lighting.

Safety first! Disconnect your appliance from the power source before replacing the globe. If you’ve recently used your rangehood, allow it to cool down before replacing the globe.

Step 1: Identify the globe type

• To begin, check the owner’s manual or examine the existing globe to identify its type and wattage. Rangehood globes are available in three main types: LED, halogen, or incandescent. Purchase your  replacement globe.

Step 2: Remove the old globe

• For LED and incandescent globes, gently unscrew the old globe anticlockwise to remove it.
• For halogen globes, you will need to use gloves or a lint free cloth as oily residue from your fingertips can cause breakage or shorten lifespan of your globe. Remove the halogen light cover with a screwdriver first and pull out the old globe and discard.

Step 3: Insert the new globe

• Next, twist the new globe into the socket in a clockwise direction until it’s secure, but avoid over-tightening.

Step 4: Restore power and test

• Plug in the unit and turn it on to ensure the new globe functions correctly.

Clean fan blades

Ensure that the fan blades are clean and free of debris. Wipe them down with a soft cloth or brush.

Inspect wiring

• Examine the electrical wiring for signs of wear or damage. If you notice any issues, contact a qualified technician for repairs.

Ventilation hood adjustment

• Check the alignment of the ventilation hood to ensure it covers the cooking area effectively. Adjust if necessary.

Monitor airflow

• Pay attention to the airflow and suction of the rangehood. If you notice reduced efficiency, clean or replace filters and inspect for obstructions.

Fire safety

• Regularly clean and maintain your rangehood to reduce the risk of grease buildup, which can be a fire hazard.

Timer function

• If your rangehood has a timer, utilise it to make sure it runs long enough after cooking to eliminate leftover odors and particles.

Common rangehood troubleshooting issues and fixes

Rangehood has poor suction

Rangehood isn’t effectively removing smoke or odours:

• Check if the rangehood is on the correct fan speed setting.
• Clean or replace the filters if they are clogged or dirty.
• Inspect the ductwork for obstructions and clean or replace as needed.
• Ensure the unit is correctly sized for your cooking area.

Rangehood is making strange or loud noises

Unusual noises like rattling, buzzing, or clanking:

• Tighten loose screws or bolts.
• Check for loose or damaged fan blades and replace as necessary.
• Inspect the motor for foreign objects or debris and remove them.
• Lubricate moving parts as per the manufacturer’s recommendations.

Ineffective lighting

Lights are dim or flickering:

• Replace any burnt-out light globes with the correct type and wattage.
• Check and secure loose globe connections.

Rangehood doesn’t turn on

• Check if there is power to the rangehood (check circuit breakers and power switches).
• Verify if the control panel or switches are functioning correctly.
• Test the motor and wiring for faults and replace if necessary.

Excessive vibration

• Ensure that the unit is securely mounted to the wall or cabinet.
• Tighten any loose screws or mounting brackets.

Grease build-up

• Clean the rangehood regularly to prevent grease buildup.
• Use appropriate cleaning products to remove stubborn grease stains.

Rangehood turns off unexpectedly

If you notice that your unit unexpectedly shuts off during operation:

• Check for overheating. If the unit has a thermal overload protector, it may have tripped.
• Inspect the wiring and control panel for loose connections or damage.

Rangehood emits unpleasant odours during operation

• Clean the filters and ductwork to remove accumulated grease and residue.
• Ensure the venting system is properly sealed to prevent odours from escaping.

Fan speed issues

The fan speed is not adjustable or only operates at one speed.

• Check the fan speed control switch or settings for proper functionality.
• Inspect the control board or module for faults and replace if necessary.

If your issues are persistent, contact a qualified technician for advice and repairs.

Since rangehoods include electrical components, safety should consistently be a top priority when troubleshooting and undergoing repairs.

All the latest on the Statewide blog

Visit our blog where you can our guide to changing your rangehood globe and our top cleaning hacks and tips for your home.

Check out our YouTube channel

Check out our DIY videos on our YouTube channel. We share all the expert hints and tips to make appliance repairs a breeze!

Find your spare parts at Statewide Appliance Spares

Statewide Appliance Spares have Australia’s biggest range of spare parts with fast Australia wide delivery. Shop for rangehood spare parts and accessories at Statewide Appliance Spares. All the big brands and the lowest prices, guaranteed.