How to Clean and Maintain Your Kitchen Chimney – Filters, Oil Tray & Auto-Clean Explained
In Indian kitchens, daily cooking with oil, ghee, and spices causes sticky smoke and residue to collect inside chimneys. If you don’t clean it regularly, the suction weakens, the motor becomes noisy, and the kitchen stays hot and greasy.
This guide helps you clean and maintain your chimney the right way whether you use a baffle filter chimney or a filterless auto-clean model. You’ll learn what to clean, how often, and what tools to use all explained for Indian homes.
1. Why Chimney Cleaning Is More Important in Indian Kitchens
Indian cooking involves:
- Daily tadka, frying, and spice roasting
- Use of ghee, mustard oil, coconut oil
- Long cooking hours and closed kitchens
All of this creates oil vapour and grease that gets trapped inside the chimney. If you skip cleaning:
- Filters get blocked
- Oil leaks from the hood
- Suction drops and smells linger
- The motor becomes overworked
Regular cleaning keeps the chimney safe, quiet, and efficient.
2. What Kind of Chimney Do You Have?
| Chimney Type | Found In | Cleaning Needed |
|---|---|---|
| Baffle Filter | Most wall-mounted chimneys | Filter cleaning every 3-4 weeks |
| Filterless Auto-Clean | Mid- to high-range models | Run auto-clean + clean oil tray |
| Mesh Filter | Some older models | Needs more frequent cleaning (every 2 weeks) |
You can usually tell by looking inside the hood baffle filters have metal slats, filterless chimneys don’t have any removable filter but have an oil collector tray.
3. How to Clean Your Chimney at Home
3.1 If You Have a Baffle Filter Chimney
You’ll need:
- Liquid dish soap
- Baking soda or vinegar (optional)
- Bucket or sink with warm water
- Soft brush or old toothbrush
- Microfiber cloth or sponge
Steps:
- Switch off and unplug the chimney
- Slide out the baffle filter carefully
- Soak it in warm soapy water (add a spoon of baking soda or vinegar if greasy)
- After 30 minutes, scrub gently with brush
- Rinse thoroughly and let it dry fully
- Wipe the inside of the chimney body with a damp cloth
- Reinstall the dry filter
Frequency: Once every 3-4 weeks
3.2 If You Have a Filterless Auto-Clean Chimney
Most modern chimneys have a button marked Auto Clean.
Steps:
- Press the auto-clean button this heats the motor area to loosen oil
- Wait 10–15 minutes the oil will collect in the tray below
- After cooling, remove the oil collector tray
- Wash it with soap and warm water
- Wipe the hood and panel with a soft cloth
Frequency:
- Run auto-clean every 3-4 weeks
- Empty and clean oil tray with each cycle
- Wipe surface weekly
Important Note: Auto-clean only cleans the motor chamber you still need to clean the hood and oil tray manually.
3.3 Clean the Chimney Exterior (All Models)
Weekly wipe-down:
- Use soft damp cloth with mild detergent
- Avoid steel scrubbers or harsh chemicals
- For hard water marks on steel/glass: wipe with diluted vinegar and dry with soft cloth
4. When to Call a Chimney Brand Technician
You don’t need service every month, but call a technician if:
- Suction stays weak even after filter cleaning
- Oil drips from chimney edges
- Buttons or panel stop responding
- Motor makes strange noise
- You haven’t done a deep clean in 6+ months
Most chimney brands in India like Glen, Faber, Hindware, Elica, and Kaff offer:
- Annual Maintenance Contracts (AMC)
- One-time service visits
Check your brand’s website or support helpline for local technician availability.
5. Common Questions About Chimney Cleaning
| Question | Answer |
|---|---|
| Do I need to clean if I have auto-clean? | Yes you must empty and clean the oil tray and wipe the hood regularly. |
| Can I use dishwasher for baffle filters? | Yes, if your chimney brand allows it check the manual. |
| How often should I clean the oil tray? | Every 3-4 weeks, or sooner if it fills up faster. |
| What if I have both filter and auto-clean? | Clean the filter monthly + run auto-clean as needed. |
| Is cleaning included in warranty? | Usually not. Cleaning is your responsibility unless AMC is active. |
Summary – Chimney Maintenance Checklist for Indian Kitchen
| Task | Type | Frequency | Method |
|---|---|---|---|
| Clean filter | Baffle/Mesh | Every 3-4 weeks | Soak + scrub |
| Run auto-clean | Filterless | Every 3-4 weeks | Press button |
| Clean oil tray | All | Every 3-4 weeks | Soap + rinse |
| Wipe surface | All | Weekly | Mild soap + cloth |
| Technician service | All | 6-12 months | Book brand service visit |
Regular maintenance doesn’t take much time and it prevents bigger problems. If you cook daily with oil or spices, set a reminder once a month to clean your chimney. It’ll work better, last longer, and keep your kitchen fresh.
