The biggest challenge of Indian cooking isn’t the recipe, it’s the smoke, grease, and strong aromas left behind. With all the grilling, tempering spices, and frying going on in the Indian kitchens, pungent smells, oil fumes and smokes are common. A kitchen chimney gets rid of all that by pulling in the smoke, collecting grease, and maintaining the cooking space fresh & clean. Once considered a luxury it’s now an essential appliance that keeps the air clean, removes grease and maintains a fresh cooking space. However, maintaining and keeping the chimney clean is crucial to ensure that it works efficiently in the long run. In this article you’ll get a practical step by step guide on how you can keep your kitchen chimney in the best condition.
The Importance of Cleaning Your Chimney
Indian cuisine, and particularly the hot dishes & deep-frying that accompany it, releases a tremendous amount of grease and oil into the air. Eventually, the oil damages the chimney filters, fan blades, and even the house. If nothing is done to address this, the following issues can occur:
- Less Suction Power: If a chimney is not properly cleaned the filters get greasy. Greasy filter prevents air from flowing through, thereby making the chimney less efficient in pulling the fumes and smoke.
- Bad Odors: The bad odors of yesterday evening’s meal would remain in the kitchen if not cleaned properly.
- Fire Hazard: Due to the deposit of excess grease in the chimney, there is an increased hazard of igniting kitchen fires.
- Dirty Air: A dirty chimney attracts dust and insect deposits, thereby creating unhealthy cooking environments.
- High Electricity Usage: A dirty, blocked chimney will have to do more work, using higher electricity than normal.
Regular maintenance not only guarantees hassle-free operation but also saves you in terms of costly servicing in the long term. While looking at the kitchen chimney price, consider that maintenance is a worthy consideration towards the long-term value of the machine.
Step-by-Step Process to Clean Your Chimney
Most people find the process of cleaning a chimney to be daunting but it is easier than you think. You just need some time and basic supplies to keep your chimney in the best condition. Here’s a step by step process to simplify the process of cleaning your chimney:
Step 1: Turn Off and Unplug Your Chimney
The first step in the chimney cleaning process is to turn off and unplug your chimney for safety purposes. This step ensures that the cleaning process is hassle free, comfortable and you do not get any accidental shocks due to working with live wires.
Step 2: Remove the Filters
If your chimney has baffle filters, remove them slowly. Baffle filters do a good job of trapping oil and grease but need to be cleaned frequently.
For auto-clean or filterless types, there are no conventional filters to throw out. They do have an oil collector, though, which will need to be removed for cleaning.
Step 3: Soak the Filters
Fill a bucket or tub with hot water and add:
- 2 tablespoons of dish detergent
- 1 tablespoon of baking soda
Place the filters insides the bucket and let them soak for 20–30 minutes. Hot water and gentle cleaning products combine to break down the caked grease on the baffle plates.
Step 4: Scrub and Rinse
After soaking the filters the next step is to wash off the dissolved grease with a soft bristled brush or an old toothbrush. Wash with warm water. Dry the filters before mounting.
For filterless chimneys, clean the oil collector instead. Drain off the collected oil, rinse it out with soap water, and dry it with a cloth.
Step 5: Wipe Down the Exterior
A kitchen chimney is not just a utilitarian piece of equipment, it’s an aesthetic equipment too. In order to maintain the new look of the hood, use a microfiber towel with warm water and mild dish soap. Wipe the hood, control panel, and side panels.
Avoid using chemical cleaner or harsh cleaners because they will scratch the glass or stainless steel surface.
Step 6: Reassemble and Turn It On
When all parts are dry, reassemble everything. Plug it into an outlet and test it for a short while. This step must be followed to make sure everything functions and is in the correct position.
How Often Should You Clean Your Chimney
The frequency of cleaning your chimney entirely depends on your cooking habits. For light cooking, maintenance is less frequent but for Indian kitchens with regular frying and spices, frequent cleaning is mandatory. Here’s a quick guide:
| Cooking Style | Recommended Cleaning Frequency |
| Daily Indian meals (tempering and frying) | Clean the chimney every 2–4 weeks |
| Light or non-oily cooking (soups, salads or steaming) | The cleaning frequency should be every 6–8 weeks |
| Heavy frying & grilling | Cleaning every 2–3 weeks is required for proper maintenance. |
| Auto-clean filterless models | Monthly clean is enough for filterless models. |
Remember, even the most advanced chimney will struggle if not cleaned regularly.
Conclusion
A kitchen chimney is an investment that offers smoke-free, smell-free and a clean kitchen environment. Proper maintenance of the appliance makes it function efficiently throughout the process and extends its lifespan.
Brands like Glen Appliances offer a wide range of chimneys designed for Indian kitchens. With features like advanced suction, auto-clean technology, and stylish finishes Glen Appliances makes it easier to keep your kitchen fresh with minimal effort.
Keep your kitchen fresh, clean, and healthy: explore Glen Appliances’ range of kitchen chimneys today and find the perfect one for your home.
