Testing an Exhaust Fan for a Gas Cooktop

If you have a gas cooktop, you also need a reliable exhaust fan to remove the fumes and smells from the kitchen. Cooktop fans are important for every single kitchen, but they are especially important for gas cooktops because these can create carbon monoxide, which is a poisonous gas.

It's very important that you learn how to clean and test the exhaust fan for your gas cooktop to make sure that it's in good working order. With a few simple tools, you can easily give your gas cooktop exhaust fan a checkup.

Step 1 - Checking the Condition

Normally, you will be aware if your gas cooktop exhaust fan stops working because it will no longer function correctly. If you notice that the exhaust fan is not removing smoke, steam and odors from your kitchen like it used to do then this could alert you to the fact that it's not working properly.

If your cooktop fan isn't working then you should first check that the power on switch is set to the on position. This may sound simple however it does happen quite often.

When you switch the cooktop fan on you should normally notice a noise of the fan working, if you don't hear this noise then it could mean that it needs attention. With just a bit of patience though you should be able to repair the problem yourself.

Step 2 - Troubleshooting the Problem

If you are experiencing air circulation problems in your kitchen, there are a few things that you might like to check out. The most obvious thing is the fuse. Fuses are the most common cause of your gas cooktop hood not working, they are also very easy to fix by yourself.

You can also unscrew the switch of your cooker hood as long as you turn off the power first. A multimeter can then be used to check that none of the cables are broken. If none of these steps fix the gas cooktop hood then you should investigate further. There could be a number of problems.

Step 3 - Cleaning Filters

Sometimes the extractor fan will make all the noises like it's working, but it won't actually remove the toxins from the air. This could be because the filters have become clogged with grease and debris. Cleaning the filters may require the use of a screwdriver to dismantle the case of your hood. You should also follow the directions from your manufacturer so that you don't damage the filters.

Cleaning the filters should improve the efficiency of the extractor fan and make sure that all of the toxins are removed from the air.

Step 4 - Cleaning the Exhaust Fan

You might also like to spend some time cleaning the outside of the exhaust fan so that it is clean and tidy. Cleaning the exhaust fan is easy although the solutions you should use will depend on the material the exhaust fan is made out of. Use polish to clean the cooker hood, this may take some time to complete because of all the built up grease and grime on the surface.