One consequence of the last 16 months has been an increased awareness of hygiene and cleaning. With most of us spending more time at home, our kitchens have taken a hammering and it is easy to forget that some kitchen appliances require regular attention to function efficiently and safely.
The appliance that is most neglected in terms of maintenance is the extractor (cooker hood) which can be above the hob, integrated within the hob or one that rises up from behind the hob. Your extractor may extract the air, that is, expel it to the outside of the building or re-circulate it back into the kitchen via a series of filters. Do you know which type you have?? All extractors, regardless of type, are fitted with grease filters, usually interwoven stainless-steel mesh. These can clog up quite quickly and dramatically impair the efficiency of the unit. Maintenance is simple – they can be easily removed (usually a simple clip) and put into the dishwasher for cleaning. This should be done at least once a month and some newer models have a warning light that illuminates after 30 days to remind you. If your extractor is re-circulating, then it will also have a charcoal/activated carbon filter that removes odours before expelling the air back into the room. These have to be replaced at least annually, better every six months if you are a serious cook. If you have a re-circulating extractor, when was the last time you replaced the carbon filter? Did you know it had one??
The next appliance, or more correctly, group of appliances where maintenance is neglected are those plumbed directly into the mains water supply. I’m talking here about fridges with plumbed-in chilled water dispensers or ice makers, steam ovens and boiling water/chilled water taps (not laundry appliances – that’s a topic in itself!) These all have one or more filters which remove limescale and/or micro-organisms and bacteria. Sometimes these are built-into the appliance and in other cases the filter is installed between the appliance and water supply, sometimes both! Some appliances, especially where the filter is integrated within the appliance, will warn you when your filter needs replacing (usually, time-based) but if your filter is external, there will be no reminder and you may not even realise you have a filter! An annual filter change is the safest way to go.
Remember,
- Wash extractor grease filters monthly (at least)
- Replace carbon filters in re-circulating extractors at least annually, preferably 6 monthly
- Replace water filter cartridges at least annually (unless the appliance manufacturer recommends otherwise)
Please check your appliance user manuals but if you need further information, talk to Pentangle, the contract kitchen experts.