Novah / The quiet work above the hob
How to clean a cooker hood filter. Start with the mesh.
The hood catches more than the smell of dinner. Its grease filter collects the cooking residue you would rather not find elsewhere. Check which filter you have before giving it a bath: some are washable, some are disposable, and charcoal filters are a different job.
Which filter is it?
Identify. Remove. Wash if permitted. Dry. Refit.
Find your hood's filter instructions, switch it off and let the cooking area cool. Remove the grease filter by its intended release, supporting it with both hands. Clean a washable filter using the approved hand-wash or dishwasher method. A disposable filter is replaced. Refit only when the parts are ready as the manual directs.
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Look above the cooking surface.
A simple map of the grease-filter area, not a dismantling diagram.
The release catch
Find the intended catch or handle in the manual. Support the panel before opening it.
The grease mesh
This is the filter this guide covers. Its material determines whether and how to wash it.
The dry, correct refit
Keep the frame sound and put it back in its specified position. Check the catch is secure.
01 / Before you start
One filter, the right method.
The mesh's material matters more than its colour in a photo.
Filter identification
Look up the model and filter type. Metal mesh often has a cleaning method, but a disposable grease mat needs replacement. A charcoal odour filter is not automatically washable.
Protected workspace
Switch the hood off, let nearby hot surfaces cool and protect the hob or counter. Prepare somewhere to support the filter. If you cannot reach safely, arrange help instead of balancing on kitchen furniture.
Permitted cleaner and soft tools
Choose a non-abrasive method allowed for the filter's material. A soft brush can help with mesh. Check before soaking aluminium or using a strong alkaline cleaner.
Which filter is it?
Use the model's parts information to confirm what you are looking at.
The approved hand-wash or dishwasher method
Use the permitted cleaner, temperature and programme. Handle the frame gently and dry as directed.
That every metal mesh tolerates a long hot dishwasher cycle.
02 / The steps
A gentler clean for the mesh.
Confirm the filter is washable before starting the washing steps.
Make the hood and work area ready
Follow the manual's safety and power instructions. Switch off the fan, let the hob and surrounding cooking area cool, and protect the surface below. Find a suitable support for the filter. Leave electrical covers, ducts and hidden components alone; the task is the accessible grease-filter panel.
Release and support the filter
Identify the intended catch and support the frame before releasing it. Remove it in the direction the manual describes. A stuck catch, loose frame or damaged mesh needs attention before washing. Do not force a screwdriver into the assembly or bend the panel to make it fit a sink.
Guidance from: Electrolux · hood filter care (opens in a new tab)
Choose the allowed wash
For hand washing, use the specified non-abrasive cleaner and soft tool, working gently through grease on the mesh. Use a dishwasher only if the manufacturer permits it for this filter, with its stated programme and loading instructions. Different aluminium and steel filters can have different limits.
Guidance from: Electrolux · hood filter care (opens in a new tab)Martat · cooker-hood cleaning (opens in a new tab)
Rinse, inspect and dry
Remove cleaner residue by the instructed method and allow the filter to dry as directed. Check the frame, mesh and catch. Some makers describe harmless colour changes after an allowed wash, but a warped or damaged filter should not be treated as cosmetic discolouration. Replace parts only with the correct fit.
Guidance from: Electrolux · hood filter care (opens in a new tab)
Refit and check the catch
Place the filter back in its specified orientation and secure every catch before restoring normal use. Check that it stays in place without wobbling. Clean the accessible hood exterior by its finish instructions. If the fan still performs poorly or makes a new noise, consult troubleshooting or a suitable service professional.
A few shortcuts to leave out.
All filters in one wash
Grease mesh, disposable mats and charcoal filters are different parts with different care rules.
Bending the frame to fit
Find a suitable washing area. A filter needs to fit the hood correctly after cleaning.
Returning wet parts by habit
Follow the drying and refitting instructions. Keep moisture away from electrical areas.
03 / The finishing touch
Let the hood get back to its quiet job.
Check the manufacturer's maintenance interval or filter reminder, and adjust your routine to how often you cook. Keeping the accessible grease filter in order is a manageable task. You do not need to take the kitchen apart to give it a little attention.
- Keep the filter type and part number somewhere easy to find.
- Check the catch after every refit.
- Persistent extraction problems or electrical faults need service advice.
04 / Questions
Questions
Can I put the grease filter in the dishwasher?
Only if the manufacturer permits it for that filter. Follow the specified temperature, programme and loading method. A metal appearance alone does not confirm compatibility.
Guidance from: Electrolux · hood filter care (opens in a new tab)
Can I wash a charcoal filter the same way?
No general method fits all charcoal filters. Some are disposable, while others have their own cleaning or regeneration instructions. This guide's washing steps are for confirmed washable grease filters.
Guidance from: Electrolux · hood filter care (opens in a new tab)
How often should I clean it?
Use the model's maintenance interval or filter indicator. Cooking habits affect grease buildup. Avoid waiting until the panel is heavily clogged before checking the instructions.
Will this fix weak extraction?
A dirty filter can contribute, but the cause may be elsewhere in the hood or ventilation system. If an approved clean does not help, use troubleshooting or arrange service.
Sources & material instructions
Novah
A kitchen that feels easier to keep.
Talk to Novah about the kitchen areas and additional tasks you want included in a home clean. Confirm accessible filter work before booking it. Ventilation repairs and electrical work belong with suitable professionals.
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