Two kinds of Range Hood Ventilators

Many ranges, electric and gas, are topped by a venting range hood. The hood will contain either a fan or “squirrel-cage” blower impellers that draw smoke and grease through an aluminum mesh filter and out an exhaust duct.

To keep grease from building up around the motor and on the fan blades or on the blower impellers, wash the filter regularly in hot, soapy water or in the dishwasher, and replace it annually.

1. Removing the fan.

• First, turn off power to the range hood. Then remove the aluminum grease filter, which is secured by clips.

• To release the fan, remove the screws that hold the support bracket to the housing.

• Holding the fan assembly by its support bracket, lower it from the housing (inset).

2. Oiling and cleaning the fan.

• Hold the fan by its support bracket, and put a few drops of oil on the motor shaft at the rear of the fan --. Even permanently lubricated motors benefit from a few drops of machine oil.

• Wipe the fan motor and blades with a cloth moistened with a kitchen cleaner that contains ammonia.

• Before reinstalling the fan, clean the range hood surfaces and as much of the ductwork as you can reach.

• To reassemble the range hood, screw the sup port bracket to the fan housing, and reattach the grease filter.

SERVICING A SQUIRREL-CAGE BLOWER

1. Removing the filters and blower assembly.

• With power to the range hood turned off, pull out the aluminum grease filters at both ends of the blower cover, and wash them in hot, soapy water.

• Remove the screws holding the cover in place, and take it off to expose the blower assembly.

• Unplug the motor as shown at left.

• Supporting the blower assembly with one hand, loosen the mounting-rod nuts on both sides (inset).

• Move the rods out of the brackets, and lower the blower assembly.

2. Cleaning the impellers.

• With a hex wrench, loosen the setscrews holding the squirrel-cage blower impellers to the motor shaft.

• Grip the hub of each impeller in turn and slide it off the shaft. Use locking pliers, if necessary, to free balky impellers.

• Wash the squirrel cages in hot, soapy water, then replace them on the motor shaft and tighten the setscrews.

• Clean the interior of the range hood and as much of the ductwork as you can reach.

• To reinstall the blower assembly, lift it into position under the hood, keeping the discharge vent aligned with the duct opening.

• Slip the mounting rods into the brackets and tighten the nuts by hand.

• Plug in the motor, then screw the cover in place and reinsert the two grease filters.