The cooker hood grease filter – how to keep your kitchen air clean

The cooker hood grease filter is an inconspicuous but important part of the kitchen: it collects the grease and moisture from cooking before they reach the hood and the ductwork. A dirty grease filter weakens extraction performance and is also a fire-safety risk. In this guide we go through what a grease filter is for, what types there are, and how to find the right one for your specific cooker hood – regardless of brand.

What is a grease filter for?

When food is fried, grease vapour rises into the air. The grease filter stops it, so that grease doesn't build up inside the cooker hood, in the fan or in the ductwork. This:

- keeps extraction performance good,

- makes cleaning easier,

- and reduces the fire risk – grease that has built up in the ductwork is a fire hazard.

Types of grease filter

Not all grease filters are the same. The most common types are:

- Aluminium grease filter – a durable metal mesh that is washable and reusable. The most common type in modern cooker hoods.

- Fibre or paper filter – a soft, single-use filter mat that is replaced when it gets dirty. Also available as a cut-to-size universal model that can be fitted to different sizes.

- Filter with activated carbon – needed especially in recirculating cooker hoods that return the air to the kitchen instead of to the ductwork. In that case the grease filter captures the grease and a separate activated carbon removes the odours. In some models (e.g. certain Cata and Futurum hoods) grease and activated carbon are in the same filter.

A handy rule of thumb: the grease filter stops the grease, activated carbon removes the odours. In many kitchens it's worth using both.

How to find the right grease filter

You'll usually find a suitable grease filter in one of the following ways:

1. By brand and model. If you know the cooker hood's brand and model, look for a grease filter intended for it.

2. By dimensions. If you can't find a model designation, measure the old filter: width × height × thickness (mm). A large share of grease filters are sold on dimensions alone.

3. With a cut-to-size universal filter. If the exact size isn't available, a cut-to-size universal mat fits most hoods.

Grease filters for most cooker hoods

Suodatinkeskus's range includes grease filters for dozens of different brands and models – both originals and suitable alternatives. Examples:

- Vallox – e.g. the grease filter for MUH and X-Line hoods (165 × 320 × 15 mm), and Capto/Delico models.

- Iloxair – yes, there are grease filters for Iloxair too: including the Basic / Slide / Design models and Satava (288 × 205 × 9 mm).

- Bosch and Siemens, Electrolux – and many more.

Don't know your model? No problem – we can still find a suitable filter based on the dimensions. Always check your cooker hood's model or measure the filter size before ordering.

Washable – but replace it when the time come

An aluminium grease filter differs from a ventilation unit's single-use filters: it is washable and reusable. Wash it regularly (by hand or in the dishwasher) and it will stay effective for a long time.

A new filter is worth getting if the aluminium mesh is bent, clogged with baked-on grease or otherwise damaged. Fibre and paper filters and activated carbon filters are single-use and are replaced when they get dirty.

How to maintain the grease filter

1. Remove the filter from the cooker hood.

2. Wash with warm water and washing-up liquid or in the dishwasher (applies to the aluminium filter; a single-use fibre or activated carbon filter is replaced with a new one).

3. Let it dry thoroughly before refitting.

4. Repeat regularly – in an active kitchen, even monthly.

Summary

A clean grease filter = better extraction performance and a safer kitchen. Whatever brand your cooker hood is – Vallox, Iloxair, Bosch, Electrolux, Gorenje, Elica or something else – you'll find a suitable grease filter either by model or by dimensions.

Do you need a grease filter for your cooker hood, or are you unsure of the model or dimensions? Contact Suodatinkeskus – we'll help you find the right one.