Last updated on July 27th, 2022
We all know that chimneys are now almost indispensable to modern kitchens – they play a dominant role in removing hot exhaust gases from the kitchen and releasing them outside. As the hot air rises, it creates a pressure difference, allowing the combustion air to enter the chimney’s surface and making it excessively greasy. Cleaning a chimney is a highly time-consuming and challenging task.
Adding to this is the fact that Indian cooking uses several spices and oils, generating a lot more grease and smoke. Traces of cooking oil and grease from the smoke can get trapped between the chimney filters. Thus, if your chimney isn’t cleaned, its efficiency is reduced. Other potential threats arising from an unclean chimney include fires and food contamination. If you’re wondering how to clean your kitchen chimney, we have compiled some super-easy chimney cleaning tips for you.
DIY Kitchen Chimney Cleaning: The Multifunctional Dishwasher Liquid
Dishwashing liquid has cleaning ingredients that work well with chimney filters without having a high pH value. The liquid surfactants can readily unblock and remove grease and oil deposits from chimney filters. Here’s how you can clean your chimneys using dishwashing liquid:
1. First, remove the chimney filters with care.
2. Then, using a sponge, apply some dishwashing liquid to the filters.
3. After that, fill a water bucket with hot water and gently put the filters inside.
4. Leave for some time, then remove them from the water and scrub.
5. Let them dry to get clean and new filters once again!
How to Clean Kitchen Chimneys Easily? Use Vinegar!
Vinegar is an excellent cleaning liquid if you’re looking for a low-cost approach to cleaning your chimney. All you need for this method is vinegar, water, and paper towels. Here’s how to do it:
1. Soak a towel in vinegar.
2. Wipe it all over your chimney, including tiny interior spaces and other hard-to-reach locations.
3. Wait for 10 minutes.
4. After the vinegar has set, clean off the grease with a towel dipped in water.
Use a Baking Soda Paste for Cleaning Chimneys
Like other cleaning agents, baking soda is a common kitchen chemical used widely. Baking soda can be used to clean a chimney in various ways, thanks to its moderate abrasive properties. You can use a paste of baking soda and water can be used to clear tough stains:
1. Make a thick paste with two teaspoons of baking soda and a little water to remove grease from the chimney hood.
2. Apply this thick paste to the area and leave it alone for five minutes.
3. Then, use a towel soaked in water and wipe away the grease.
Paint Thinner
Again, this is an easily available material capable of eliminating stubborn grease and oil stains from chimneys. Paint thinner contains powerful cleaning agents: acetone, toluene, turpentine, and minerals.
The steps are also quite similar. Soak a piece of cloth in the thinner and massage it on the chimney to remove oil and grease from the filters.
Expert Tip: Even If you don’t have paint thinner available, nail polish remover will give you a similar result.
FAQs
Why is it important to clean the kitchen chimney regularly?
We recommend cleaning chimneys regularly because the grease from cooking is carried by the smoke that goes through the chimney. Some of these oily materials tend to get stuck in the chimney filters and other elements. As a result, there can be a blockage, preventing the smoke from exiting the kitchen.
How often should your kitchen chimney be cleaned?
A chimney should be cleaned at least once every two months, depending on the traffic in your kitchen and the type of food you prepare. Cleaning the meshes and filters once a month is recommended if you make a lot of oily and spicy food.
Since we use kitchen appliances daily, they must be cleaned and maintained regularly. Cleaning and maintaining the chimney regularly has an impact on its life. You can conduct some DIY kitchen chimney cleaning on your own using the chimney cleaning tips mentioned above and items found in your kitchen, such as caustic soda, vinegar, dishwashing detergent, and salt. For more such tips and tricks on how to keep your dream kitchen spanking new over the years, do head to the HomeLane blog.
