Internet searches to clean filters come up with caustic soda which looks pretty scary. But where could I get this?
Thanks
Can anyone recommend a good product I can buy to clean my extractor fan filters? I've put them in the dishwasher and it's made the grease congeal even worse. I've also soaked them in vinegar which I'm worried might not have been the smartest move. I've also tried oven cleaner. All to no avail.
Sometimes it takes more than one cycle in the dishwasher to get them clean if they were really dirty, and you need to use the cycle with the highest temp. One of my clients' houses the previous tenant left the filters in such a disgusting state I think it took 4 cycles to get them clean.
Soaking them in the dishwasher powder can also work, the water needs to be very hot, so you might need to boil the kettle and at the boiled water to your hot water in the sink.
If you have a small steam cleaner, this can also work.
Great, thanks, will try tomorrow!
update here.
The majority of extractor fan filters can be bought in Migros/Coop - for not much money. If you are moving out I'd recommend buying new ones - if they check, and you have replaced them, they'll think you have been thorough and not check other things as strictly!!
For moving out, new ones are always best. Leave them in the package rather than install them.
I am told that original Wesco filters (Wesco is a popular hood fan) can only be ordered directly from Wesco. All the extractor fans have a model number and you need the exact fitting filter.
I think the OP is talking about the metal mesh ones which need washing in the dishwasher every two weeks but otherwise need no maintenance or replacement.
The way the OP is describing the state of theirs suggests they never washed them.
I never wash mine
I have a wife to do that
One thing you can try is to soak them in the sink - boiling water (kettle or a pot of boiling water). The water has to be boiling!! Add one full cup of Ariel or other laundry detergent, add the filters and let them soak for one hour. You will need to rinse and repeat a couple of times. This should break up the grease.
You can finish them off in the dishwasher.
Just to update and clarify:
We've just moved into this place and it's a sublet. So the previous people who we're renting from forgot / couldn't be bothered to clean the filters before they went away.
I've followed Mrs Doolittle's advice and although soaking in dishwasher soap removed some of the grease, the filters are still filthy.
I have just emailed the woman who we're renting from and got a prompt apologetic reply offering to replace them. Should have emailed her in the first place!
And yes I did mean the metal mesh ones.
Thanks
If they were that clogged, they probably weren't doing their job properly which could mean that the kitchen is covered in a film of grease. If so, I'd get her to organise some cleaning for the kitchen too citing the reason.
Glad it's getting sorted.
i bought a degreaser (potz) and soaked it overnight. seemed to do the job.
Bloody hell, I've not cleaned it since they replaced the whole cooker hood about 3 years ago. Wouldn't even know how it comes out or comes apart...
Dreading going home tonight to check. Might go home via the pub first...
I had no idea that the extractor filters could be cleaned in the dishwasher, it is wonderful! Not sure why this does not appear in the manual. Another tip I learned - for V-Zug washing machines you should only use 25ml of liquid detergent, it is a tiny amount but washes well and no water leaks; this was recommended by V-Zug technician, again not mentioned anywhere in the manual...
Hi - Don't read German / Italian or French very well.
User guide e have been left to WESCO hood extractor is not in English.
It turns on ok and works at all 4 speed settings.
However after 4 weeks of use , it now flashes every RED LED light in sequence.
It reminds me KIT the car in Knight Rider.
Anyone got a similar hood and know what the error message means ?
Thanks in advance
What's the model?
WHC 200 ....I think
Here are the instructions in DE/FR/IT.
http://www.wesco.ch/media/161653/fhc...4762-06-12.pdf
Basically the lights mean the the filters are full of grease and they need to be cleaned.
Working from the FR version have a look at pg 61. It tells you if the lights flash the filters are dirty.
Pages 67 - 70 tell you what to clean, after how many hours and how to clean them (in the dishwasher - no other dishes).
You can copy the text into Google translate and it will give you the idea.
Huge thanks from my Wife.
We have put filter in dishwasher and will wash.
Have also stopped flashing lights by pressing button 4 for 2 seconds.
The power of the forum and inter webby ....
Verbier beat me too it. I was washing up!
As you need to wash them separately from dishes etc, a good tip is to set your dishwasher on it's Intensive wash setting - it will clean the filters better and your dishwasher will get a deep clean every couple of weeks.