If your kitchen still smells like last night's curry an hour after you've finished eating, your extractor fan is probably trying to tell you something.
Most people give the outside of their cooker hood a quick wipe now and then, but very few think about the filters hidden inside. Over time, those filters become clogged with grease, reducing airflow, making the fan work harder and allowing cooking smells to linger around your home.
Just like your oven, regular maintenance makes a big difference. If you're unsure how often your appliances should be professionally cleaned, read our guide on how often you should have your oven professionally cleaned.
The good news? It's an easy problem to fix. And if you're already booking a professional oven clean, having your extractor cleaned at the same time is one of the simplest ways to leave your kitchen feeling fresher.
What Does an Extractor Fan Actually Do?
Your extractor fan works hard every time you cook. It pulls steam, smoke, grease and cooking odours away from your hob before they have a chance to spread around your kitchen.
As the air passes through the filters, grease is trapped while cleaner air is either recirculated back into the room or vented outside, depending on the type of extractor you have.
Over time, those filters become coated with grease. The more grease they collect, the harder your extractor has to work. Eventually, it simply can't do its job properly.
Many people don't realise anything is wrong because the fan is still running. Unfortunately, running doesn't always mean it's working efficiently.
What Happens When an Extractor Fan Gets Dirty?
A build up of grease doesn't just affect how your extractor looks. It can have a noticeable impact on how your kitchen feels too.
A dirty extractor fan can lead to:
Cooking smells lingering long after you've finished eating.
Condensation building up on windows and surrounding surfaces.
Grease collecting on cupboards, walls and ceilings.
A noisier fan as the motor works harder to pull air through blocked filters.
Reduced airflow and poorer ventilation.
Heavy grease build up isn't just unsightly. It can also contribute to unpleasant smells around your kitchen. If you've noticed lingering odours or smoke when cooking, you may also find our guide to 5 signs your oven needs a professional clean helpful.
We often find extractor filters that haven't been cleaned for years. In some cases they're so heavily coated with grease that it's difficult to see the metal mesh underneath.
Once they're cleaned, the difference is often immediate. Airflow improves, cooking smells disappear more quickly and the extractor usually runs much more quietly.
Is a Dirty Extractor Fan a Fire Risk?
It can be.
Grease is highly flammable, and your extractor fan sits directly above one of the hottest parts of your kitchen. While domestic fires caused by extractor fans are relatively uncommon, allowing grease to build up over a long period increases the risk unnecessarily.
Regular cleaning helps remove that grease before it becomes a problem and keeps your extractor working as it should.
It's another reason why cleaning the filters is about more than just appearance.
How Often Should You Clean an Extractor Fan?
For most households, we recommend cleaning metal mesh filters every two to three months.
If you cook every day or enjoy frying food regularly, you may benefit from cleaning them even more often.
Many metal filters can be cleaned in the dishwasher or soaked in hot soapy water. However, once grease has built up over months or even years, it can become baked on and surprisingly difficult to remove.
If your extractor uses charcoal or cloth filters, these aren't designed to be cleaned. Instead, they should usually be replaced every three to six months, depending on how often you cook.
If you can't remember the last time yours were changed, they're probably overdue.
Why Add Extractor Cleaning to Your Oven Clean?
When we're already cleaning your oven, it only takes another 15 to 20 minutes to leave your extractor looking and performing at its best.
It's one of our most popular add ons because it delivers a noticeable difference for very little extra time.
Customers are often surprised by how much brighter the lights underneath the hood become once the grease has been removed. More importantly, cleaner filters mean better airflow and a fresher kitchen every time you cook.
If you'd like to see everything we offer, take a look at our services and pricing.
MINT Extractor Fan Cleaning
We offer extractor fan cleaning as an add on to any oven clean.
Our service includes removing the filters, thoroughly cleaning the extractor housing and leaving everything looking as fresh as possible.
Metal mesh filter cleaning – £20
Cloth or charcoal filter replacement – £30, including the replacement filter
It's a quick addition to your appointment and one that many customers wish they'd booked sooner.
Ready to Give Your Kitchen a Fresh Start?
A clean extractor fan doesn't just look better. It helps remove cooking smells more effectively, improves airflow and keeps grease from building up where you don't want it.
If you're already booking an oven clean, adding your extractor is an easy way to get even better results.
Book your clean online in just a couple of minutes and we'll take care of the dirty work.
Not sure if we cover your area? Take a look at what areas MINT is available in.
Book a clean
Ready for a spotless oven?
Book your MINT oven clean online in under 2 minutes. Fixed pricing, eco-friendly products, guaranteed results.
Book Your Clean