If you have had your new kitchen for several years now, you will no doubt have noticed that the extractor is not working as gently as it used to and that there is a lot more vapour lingering in the house. This is because most cooker hoods have filters that need to be changed regularly. I’d like to help you by going into more detail about the importance of replacing those filters in this blog.
Why clean air?
We don’t need to go deep into this, as it is common knowledge why clean air in the home is a must. First of all, it is good to get rid of water vapour and greasy air because otherwise that air can cause excessive humidity resulting in mould and the greasy air can settle on all surfaces in the house. In addition, it is potentially harmful to the respiratory system if the air quality is poor in the home.
Why should a filter be replaced
If you cook often, extractor hood filters become saturated. Of course, it also depends a bit on what you cook, but the fact is that filters get dirty and grimy over time. A full filter causes an extractor to have to pull harder, reducing the effect of the appliance working. More often, the fumes get stuck. The appliance can also start making more noise. At ten o’clock at night, do you still smell the smell of leeks and cauliflower from several hours ago? Then it’s time to change the filters.
What to do with recirculation
Some systems work on the principle of recirculation and it is mainly these systems where the filters need to be changed. They have no exhaust duct and filter the air before it is blown back into the room. There are carbon filters that need to be changed every six months, but there are also other types of filters that you can wash yourself. These washable ‘long-life’ carbon filters are probably cheaper at the bottom line. There are also sometimes metal filters in such an appliance that need to be replaced once every three or even four years.
What is the lifespan of an exhaust filter
The lifespan of an extractor filter varies a lot from model to model and from manufacturer to manufacturer, so we cannot give exact numbers. However, there is a good way to check whether the appliance is still working properly. Take a piece of A4 paper and hold it up to the extractor. If it pulls the paper up and the paper ‘sticks’, it is still fine. If the A4 falls down, the filters are probably already (too) full.
How to practically replace a filter
When it’s time to change the filters, it’s something that does take an hour of your time. Below are some general steps to follow to change the filter. However, it may vary from model to model.
- Step 1 – First of all, you need to remove the grease filters to get to the carbon filters. You can also clean these grease filters right away.
- Step 2 – The motor generally always contains carbon filters. These have to be unclipped or slid out. You can click the new filter back in.
- Step 3 – Replace all parts and check that everything is in place. Does everything work? Then you can get on with cooking.
Find the right filter
I recommend that before you start unscrewing or removing the grease filters, that you first make sure you have the right parts and filters. Order them by specifying the right make and model. If you have the time, remove the filter first and buy a new filter based on this item.