Can I wash my range hood filter in the dishwasher?

The question of whether to wash range hood filters in the dishwasher or not is hotly debated on forums. There are plenty of proponents and detractors of this filter cleaning method, and today we'll try to reconcile the two sides. In reality, the question isn't worth a damn. You'll quickly see that.

What is the essence of the problem?

Every homemaker knows that the grease filter of a standard kitchen hood gets dirty fairly quickly. Even if you don't cook very often, within a month or two the filter will become coated with a layer of grease that's difficult to remove. The grease settles on the hood filter layer by layer, gradually polymerizing and forming a hard layer that can only be removed with a coarse metal brush, and even then, it's not always possible.

Dishwashing detergents like Fairy can handle fresh grease, or at least dried-on grease, but they can't remove polymerized grease.

Some housewives force their husbands to arm themselves with a wire brush and scrub the filter until it crumbles or their hands fall off. This is unacceptable in today's climate, so range hood owners search for various cleaning products that can effectively dissolve and wash away polymerized grease, but such products are hard to find. Since a dedicated cleaning solution is hard to find, some resort to placing the range hood filter in the dishwasher and running it for 4-6 hours. But is this really safe?

Depends on the material

hood filter before and after bathing in Fairy and lemonRange hood filter elements are made of aluminum, or more precisely, an aluminum-based metal alloy. Older units and modern budget hoods use standard filters without a special coating. They cannot be washed in the dishwasher, as they will turn black and deteriorate over time. But filters with a special shiny coating are dishwasher safe, and this is often stated in the product data sheet. If you're unsure, Why you shouldn't wash aluminum items in the dishwasher, read the publication of the same name and everything will become clear.

In general, before putting your range hood filter in the dishwasher, you should carefully inspect it. At a pinch, if you're not an expert in metals, you can Google it and learn more about the filter of a specific range hood. This information is available online. Some particularly daring housewives test whether the filter can be washed in the dishwasher by experimenting, but this method is fraught with potential damage, so we don't recommend it.

Even if you find out your range hood filter is dishwasher safe, don't rejoice too soon. Once you've installed this part, you'll soon see the difference. We conducted an experiment, washing the range hood filter in the dishwasher for six hours at 60°C (140°F). This procedure didn't do much good. The grease only came out halfway, but it was fairly easy to clean by hand afterwards, so the "dishwasher trick" either doesn't work at all or only works intermittently.

Cleaning without a dishwasher

What if the filter is aluminum and definitely can't be washed in the dishwasher? You'll have to use your brain and figure out how to remove the polymerized grease without a dishwasher. Let's be honest, we'll offer a solution that won't involve grueling manual labor and bloody blisters.

1. Take a large basin or other suitable container that will fit the filter.
2. Pour just enough boiling water into the basin so that the filter sinks into it while lying flat.
3. Pour 50 g of citric acid, 6 tablespoons of liquid dishwashing detergent and 100 g of baking soda into a basin.

The dishwashing liquid should be well dissolved in water, the rest will dissolve on its own.

4. Rinse the hood filter and lubricate it with dishwashing liquid.
5. After a couple of minutes, immerse the filter in a bowl with the solution and keep it there for about 6-8 hours, or you can leave it overnight.
6. Next, remove the filter from the solution and rinse it under running hot water, removing any remaining grease with a not too rough brush (not a metal one).

This way you will save the filter from grease and yourself from problems. Keep in mind that the longer you leave the hood unwashed, the longer you will have to keep it in the solution while it soaks. It is better to wash at least once every 3-4 weeks, this is the best option.

In conclusion, after purchasing a dishwasher, many housewives try to wash everything they can in it, only to regret it later, ruining an expensive meat grinder, frying pan, or china set. Before putting anything in the dishwasher baskets, carefully read the instructions and determine whether it's safe to wash or whether it's best to avoid it. This also applies to range hood filters. Do your research first, inspect the filter, and then experiment!

   

4 reader comments

1. March 30, 2018 at 2:54 PM

   Olya:

   If your filters are aluminum, don't wash them with citric acid or baking soda! Learn chemistry (school curriculum up to grades 7, 8, and 9).

   Answer
2. July 10, 2018 at 8:15 PM

   Dima:

   Adding citric acid and baking soda to the solution? What nonsense? Not only do they neutralize each other, but as someone pointed out here, you should never wash aluminum in citric acid.

   Answer
3. June 27, 2021 at 7:54 PM

   Anonymous:

   You can't put it in the dishwasher, but can you use lemon juice?

   Answer
4. December 5, 2022 at 6:44 PM

   Olga:

   Where is it possible?

   Answer