How to Clean a Range Hood Fan Motor

On this page (8 sections)

1. Why does the fan motor need cleaning at all?
2. What should you do before you start?
3. How do you reach the fan motor?
4. How do you clean the blower wheel and motor housing?
5. How do you clean the filters while you're in there?
6. How do you reassemble and test the fan?
7. How do you finish the outside of the hood?
8. How often should you do this, and how do you keep the motor cleaner?

To clean a range hood fan motor, cut the power first, then remove the filters and reach the blower wheel and motor housing to wipe away grease. Keep liquid off the motor itself, let the parts dry completely, and only then restore power and test the fan.

The fan motor is the part most people skip, because it hides behind the filters. Grease that coats the blower wheel throws it off balance and dulls airflow, so learning how to clean a range hood fan motor properly is worth the effort once or twice a year.

Why does the fan motor need cleaning at all?

Grease doesn't stay on the filters. Some of it passes through and coats the blower wheel, the motor housing and the venturi ring around them.

When the wheel's blades fill with sticky grease, each blade gets heavier and the fan has to work harder to move the same air. You may notice weaker suction, a rougher sound or a wheel that keeps spinning after you switch the hood off.

The motor itself is usually sealed, so you aren't washing inside it. The job is cleaning the parts around it and the wheel that sits on its shaft.

A clean wheel keeps airflow steady and takes strain off the motor.

What should you do before you start?

Turn the hood off at the wall switch or breaker and confirm the fan and lights are dead. If the hood plugs into an outlet, unplug it; hard-wired hoods need the breaker.

Give yourself light and a step stool. Lay a towel on the cooktop below to catch drips and loose screws.

Gather a degreaser, a few microfiber cloths, a soft brush and a shallow tray for parts. Have the hood's manual nearby, since it tells you how the filters and blower wheel come out on your model.

If you haven't cleaned the filters in a while, read how to clean a range hood grease filter first, since a clogged filter is often the reason the fan feels weak.

How do you reach the fan motor?

Remove the grease filters and the bottom panel so you can see the blower wheel. Most under-cabinet hoods expose the motor and wheel once the filters are out.

Slide out the mesh or baffle filters and set them in the sink. On many models a retaining screw or spring clip holds the wheel on the shaft; the manual shows the exact step.

Don't yank wiring or drop the motor. If the blower assembly doesn't come free easily, stop and clean the wheel in place instead.

The motor can often be wiped without being unmounted.

Should you take the blower wheel off?

Take the wheel off only if your manual shows how to remove it safely. A removable wheel cleans far better than one wiped in place.

Set the wheel in a tray and label any screws or nuts so they go back the same way. Handle the blades gently, because a bent blade causes vibration when the fan runs.

If removal isn't described for your hood, leave the wheel seated. Clean its blades with a cloth and soft brush, reaching between them from the bottom.

How do you clean the blower wheel and motor housing?

Clean the blower wheel in warm, soapy water and wipe the housing with a cloth dampened in degreaser. Grease needs time to soften, so let the wheel soak before scrubbing.

Soak the wheel for 10 to 15 minutes in a sink of warm water with a few drops of dish soap. Use a soft brush to loosen grease between the blades, then rinse it well.

For the motor housing and the venturi ring, spray degreaser onto a cloth rather than the part. Wipe the ring and the metal around the motor, avoiding the motor body and any wiring.

How to clean a range hood fan motor without soaking it

Keep the motor dry and unmounted. A damp cloth on the outside of the motor casing is fine; never spray or pour anything onto it.

Never reach into the motor opening with a wet cloth. If grease sits deep in the housing, use a soft brush or a cotton swab with a small amount of cleaner on the tip.

The Easy-Off Heavy Duty Degreaser Spray suits the metal housing, the venturi ring and the wheel when grease is thick. Easy-Off says its formula breaks down grease and grime, and the label calls for use on hard, non-porous surfaces and warns against letting it dry or using it on aluminum, so keep it off the aluminum mesh filters and rinse metal parts afterward.

How do you clean the filters while you're in there?

Wash the grease filters in hot water and degreaser, or run them through the dishwasher if the manual allows it. Clean filters keep grease out of the blower wheel in the first place.

For aluminum mesh filters, soak them in a sink with a grease-cutting dish soap and hot water, then rinse. Baffle filters in stainless hoods are usually dishwasher safe.

Check the filters for bent frames, sagging mesh or holes. A damaged filter lets grease through, so replace it if it no longer seats flat.

If your hood uses charcoal filters for ductless operation, review do range hood charcoal filters work to see when they need changing.

The Bagean BPS1FA30 Aluminum Grease Filter is a 2-pack of aluminum mesh filters sized 14.3 by 11.8 inches with a 0.35 inch thickness. Bagean says the reinforced frame resists bending out of shape, and the fit targets Allure QS1, QS2 and WS1 30 inch hoods as well as Kenmore replacements.

Measure your hood's filter opening before ordering.

How do you reassemble and test the fan?

Let every part dry completely, refit the wheel on its shaft, replace the filters and restore power. Water left in the wheel or housing causes splatter and can unbalance the fan.

Dry the wheel with a cloth and leave it to air dry so no water hides in the blade seams. Wipe the housing dry too.

Slide the wheel back onto its shaft and tighten the retaining nut or clip as the manual describes. Spin it by hand to check that it turns freely and clears the housing.

Replace the filters, close the panel and restore power. Turn the fan on low first and listen for rubbing or wobble; if something sounds wrong, switch off and recheck the wheel seating.

What should you do if the fan still won't turn?

Check the switch position and the breaker before opening anything up again. A fan that hums without spinning may have a stuck wheel or a motor fault.

If the lights work but the fan stays dead, our guide to a range hood fan not working but light is walks through the likely causes. Cleaning won't fix a failed motor, so call a technician if the problem continues after reassembly.

How do you finish the outside of the hood?

Wipe the underside and front panel so the hood looks as clean as the fan runs. Grease on the outside attracts dust and can bake onto the finish.

Wipe the exterior with a damp cloth and a stainless cleaner if your hood has a stainless finish. Work in the direction of the metal grain and buff dry.

Our walkthrough on how to clean a stainless steel range hood covers the full exterior routine.

The Weiman Stainless Steel Cleaner & Polish Kit bundles a 12 oz spray, wipes and a reusable microfiber cloth. Weiman says its ammonia-free, pH-neutral formula is safe for all stainless finishes and leaves a protective barrier against fingerprints and water spots.

Use the wipes for quick touch-ups and the cloth to buff.

Skip the kit if your hood has a painted or white finish; a plain damp cloth is enough there.

How often should you do this, and how do you keep the motor cleaner?

Plan a full fan motor cleaning every 3 to 6 months, and wipe the wheel sooner if you fry often. Heavy cooking fills the wheel faster, so adjust to how much grease your kitchen produces.

Run the fan whenever you cook and leave it on a few minutes after you finish. Change or wash the grease filters on schedule so less grease reaches the wheel.

A drop of oil in the motor is not a step to add on a sealed motor; follow the manual instead.

Note the sound of the fan when it's clean. A new rattle or a slow spin later tells you it's time to open the hood again.

That habit is the simplest way to keep a range hood fan motor out of trouble.

The key steps for how to clean a range hood fan motor are: power off, filters out, wheel and housing cleaned with degreaser on a cloth, everything dry, then reassemble and test. Pick the Easy-Off spray for thick grease on the housing and wheel, the Bagean filter pair when your mesh is bent or clogged, and the Weiman kit to finish the stainless exterior.

Work carefully around the motor, and the fan will run quieter and pull better air for months.

Frequently asked questions

Can I spray degreaser directly on a range hood fan motor?

No. Keep sprays, water and foam off the motor body and its wiring, because liquid can get into the windings and cause damage or a shock.

Apply cleaner to a cloth or to the blower wheel and housing only, and wipe the motor casing rather than soaking it.

How often should I clean a range hood fan motor?

Clean the blower wheel and motor area every 3 to 6 months for normal cooking, and sooner if you fry often or notice grease building on the wheel. A wheel that feels tacky or sounds unbalanced is a sign it needs cleaning now.

Why is my range hood fan noisy after cleaning?

Noise after cleaning usually means the blower wheel is off balance, still wet, or seated crookedly on its shaft. Recheck that the wheel sits fully on the shaft, spin it by hand, and make sure no water or loose grease is trapped in the blades.

Do I need to remove the blower wheel to clean it?

Only if your hood's manual shows how to remove it safely. Many under-cabinet hoods let you slide out the blower wheel with a retaining nut or clip.

If removal isn't described, clean the wheel in place with a cloth and a soft brush.

What should I do if the fan still won't spin after cleaning?

Check the power, the fan switch and the wheel seating first. If the motor hums but the wheel stays still or the fan won't turn at all, our guide to a fan that won't run can help you narrow it down before you call for service.