Chimneys in kitchens are a true blessing as they eliminate the steam and smoke that arise from cooking. With a kitchen chimney, you can prevent grease buildup on walls and cabinets. Modern chimneys are designed to remove not only smoke, pollution, and odours but also oily particles. Extracting heat from gas stoves helps keep the kitchen cooler, cleaner, and safer. However, the oily particles tend to accumulate and turn into thick layers of filth, which can block the chimney's gas flow. Moreover, dirt buildup on chimneys can lead to a microbial infestation that breeds germs and fungi, causing a foul smell in the kitchen. Therefore, it's important to clean your greasy chimneys regularly, at least once a month.
Here are four quick tips to clean chimney plates and restore their original beauty:
Vinegar
To clean the chimney plates with vinegar, fill a pot with water and put it on high heat. Once the water has boiled, add 1 cup of vinegar and turn off the heat. Dip the chimney plates into the hot water and leave them there for 30 minutes. Afterwards, use an old toothbrush to clean the plates thoroughly. The vinegar solution will loosen the dirt, making it easier to remove by brushing. When all the grease has been removed, use a soap solution to wash the chimney plates.
Lemon and salt
Mix 2 tablespoons of salt with a whole lemon in a bowl to start cleansing the chimney plates. Spread the grit mixture evenly throughout the chimney plates and let it sit for an hour. After an hour, use a scrub brush to remove the grease. The lemon will act as a natural cleanser, while the salt will act as a scrub to remove the dirt. Additionally, the lemon will brighten the steel.
Baking Soda
To clean the chimney plates with baking soda, mix 3 teaspoons of baking soda with warm water in a bowl to create a thick paste. Apply the paste all over the chimney plates and let it sit for 40 to 45 minutes. Then, scrub each plate thoroughly with a cleaning scrub. The baking soda will help loosen the grease, making it easier to remove by scrubbing.
Nail polish remover
If your kitchen chimney plates are not too oily, you can use nail polish remover to clean them. However, please note that nail polish remover is combustible, so it's crucial to thoroughly clean the chimney with soap and water after using it to remove grease. To use, put some nail polish remover on a cotton cloth and wipe off the grease on the chimney plates. Once finished, wash thoroughly with warm water and dishwashing liquid.
