Timely tips to keep range hoods clean

Because they're set over the stove, range hoods collect a lot of fat residue. The spatters from whatever you're cooking go up with the steam, and tiny filaments of dust attach to the fat, further clogging up the range hood, inside and out.

• Mix five millilitres (one teaspoon) of dishwashing liquid with one litre (four cups) of warm water to cut the grease.
• Soak a sponge in the solution and, to keep it from dripping, squeeze it thoroughly before attacking the hood.
• If your hood isn't painted, wipe the sponge with the grain of the stainless steel so you won't leave swirly marks.
• If a food splatter is stuck to the hood, use a nylon dishwashing brush or your fingernail to dislodge it. If that doesn't work, squirt the spot with an all-purpose cleaner, let it sit for five minutes and then scrub with a sponge.
• Don't use anything abrasive because it will scratch the surface and take off some paint.

• Lay a towel on top of the stove to catch falling dirt. (First, check that the burners are off and are cool.) If you have a gas stove, lay a few pans across the stovetop first to create separation between the towel and the pilot lights.
• In a trigger spray bottle, mix a solution of one part dishwashing soap to two parts warm water. Spray underneath the hood and let the solution sit for 15 minutes.
• While the solution breaks down the accumulation of grease, you can remove the fan filter.
• Some newer range-hood filters can go into the dishwasher. But if your model doesn't allow for dishwasher cleaning, soak the filter in a solution of 125 millilitres (1/2 cup) of warm white vinegar, five millilitres (one teaspoon) of dishwashing liquid, and warm water until you see the greasy debris loosening.
• Rinse the filter first with warm water to get rid of any remaining sticky stuff and then with cool water.
• Once the underside of the hood has been soaking for 15 minutes, wipe up the grease with paper towels. (You'll ruin cloths.) If grease remains, give it another spray and wipe over.

• When you fry foods, use only canola oil or peanut oil.
• Although corn oil is a popular ingredient in a lot of Asian foods, it tends to leave a much filmier, stickier residue that's harder to clean off appliances than other cooking oils.