Range hood habits such as switching the fan on only after smoke appears, turning it off the moment the burner goes off and never cleaning the grease filter leave smoke and grease in the kitchen and in the hood itself. A hood started before the pan heats, left running after the burners go off and fitted with a clean filter catches more of both.
Mistakes at a glance
| Habit | What it leads to | Do this instead |
|---|---|---|
| Turning the hood on only when smoke appears | Smoke and grease that escape before the fan catches them | Start the hood before you begin cooking |
| Shutting it off as soon as the burner goes off | Lingering smoke, odors and moisture | Leave it on for 10 to 20 minutes after cooking |
| Never cleaning the metal grease filter | Grease buildup and weaker airflow | Clean the filter often, in the sink or the dishwasher |
| Washing a charcoal filter | A filter that no longer removes odors | Replace charcoal filters; they aren't washable |
| Cooking on the front burners by habit | Less of the smoke reaching the hood | Use the back burners when you can |
| Running a recirculating hood without its charcoal filter | Air blown back into the kitchen without odor filtering | Install the charcoal filter the manual specifies |
The ones that matter most
Starting late and stopping early
A hood can only capture what rises while it's running. The EPA recommends turning the range hood on whenever you cook and leaving it on for 10 to 20 minutes after you finish. Whirlpool's guidance says the same in its own words: start the hood before cooking and let it run several minutes after cooking is complete.
Letting the grease filter clog
The metal filter catches grease before it reaches the fan and duct. Whirlpool says the filter should be cleaned often to avoid grease buildup. A clogged filter cuts airflow, so the hood seems weak even on high, and grease that gets past it coats the fan housing. Whirlpool's filter instructions say to clean metal filters in the sink with warm water and detergent, or in the dishwasher, with the controls off and the hood cool.
Washing the charcoal filter
Recirculating hoods, which blow air back into the kitchen, use a charcoal filter for odors. Whirlpool says the charcoal filter is not washable and should last up to six months with normal use. Washing it doesn't restore it. Replace it with the filter your manual lists, and don't run a recirculating hood without one.
Using the front burners first
The EPA suggests cooking on the back burners when possible to capture more emissions. Hoods sit closer to the back of the cooktop, so a pan on a front burner sends more of its smoke past the hood's edge. Burner habits are covered in stovetop habits that damage burners and drip pans.
Signs it's already caused a problem
- Grease dripping from the filter or coating the underside of the hood
- Smoke or cooking smells that hang around long after cooking
- A fan that sounds louder, rattles or seems weaker on every setting
- Grease spots on the cabinets around the hood
- Lights or controls on the hood that stop working after cleaning
If the fan or lights still don't work after you clean or replace the filters, book a range repair visit; our range page lists hood problems among the issues technicians check.
Sources
- U.S. EPA: Strategies for Improving Indoor Air Quality While Cooking
- Whirlpool: Vent Hood not Removing Smoke or Odor
- Whirlpool: Cleaning or Replacing the Filters in a Vent Hood
Habit to keep: Let the hood keep running for 10 to 20 minutes after the last burner goes off.
For a hood fan or light that has stopped working, reach ProFix San Antonio at (210) 761-6006.