Grease Over the Range

I’ve noticed that for the first time in the past year or two, grease drippings are gathering behind the vent fan on my gas burner. This is relatively new, and even with the fan running, they still resemble honey-colored, thick, viscus liquid stalactites. Windex works well to remove them, but they come back virtually every time I cook. Oh no. This is new; any ideas about what changed and how to prevent them from happening again?

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How recently have you cleaned the filters and vent hood?

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@Mitchelle I removed the filters, or at least the bottom ones, a few weeks ago. Since then, I clean the bottom portion of the hood every day by using windex on a paper towel. Do I still have to clean? Take the bottom apart, maybe?

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@Michael It’s possible that most of the grease is getting through your filters and building up in the ducting or hood housing above, where it is raining down.

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@Mitchelle Yes. removed the filters. God Almighty.

Ok, at least I see the problem. Thank you everyone!

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As you cook, there’s usually a build-up from the oils in the air and other factors. Splatter. They attach to walls, and vents and hoods and such. including the covers for your cupboards. After preparing any meal—imagine chicken splattering in a pan—clean the kitchen thoroughly, paying special attention to the cabinet coverings. Do a deep clean every week to two weeks in your house kitchen.

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The grease drippings behind your vent fan could be due to reduced fan efficiency, cooking changes, or blocked ductwork. Over time, grease buildup can diminish the fan’s ability to capture airborne grease, or there may be a partial blockage in the vent system. If you’ve recently started cooking with more oils or frying at higher temperatures, this could also be contributing to the issue. To prevent it, clean or replace the fan filters, check the ducts for blockages, and ensure you’re using the highest fan setting when cooking greasy foods. Lowering cooking temperatures or using a splatter guard may also help.