[Home Tips] How to easily remove kitchen fumes?

🥼 Why is kitchen fume so serious in Hong Kong?

There are several reasons why kitchen fumes are common in Hong Kong:

  1. Small space 🏢
    • The kitchen area of most units is limited, so oil smoke is more likely to accumulate.
  2. Cooking habits 🍜
    • Hong Kong people love frying, stir-frying and deep-frying, especially Chinese cooking which uses high heat and a lot of oil.
  3. Range hood performance is limited🔄
    • Some old or small range hoods lack suction power, and the exhaust vents are awkwardly located, so the fumes may not be completely exhausted.
  4. Insufficient ventilation 🌬️
    • Most kitchens have only small windows or sealed designs, so oil smoke stays for a long time.

🧪 The impact of oil smoke accumulation

  • Walls and cabinet surfaces are sticky and yellow
  • Oil stains on the surface of kitchen utensils and tableware are difficult to clean
  • The smell of cooking fume seeps into clothing or the living room
  • Long-term inhalation affects respiratory health (especially for the elderly, children, and people with sensitive trachea)

🧹 How to easily remove kitchen fume accumulation

We've compiled tips from Hong Kong chefs and household experts, categorizing them into natural and chemical cleaning methods – there's always one that's right for you:

1. Natural cleaning method (low irritation, environmentally friendly ♻️)

🍋 Lemon + white vinegar degreasing method

Principle : Citric acid + acetic acid can dissolve grease, remove odor and kill bacteria at the same time.
step :

  1. Slice the lemon and place in a spray bottle.
  2. Add 1:1 white vinegar and warm water and let it sit for 30 minutes.
  3. Spray on the oily surface and let it sit for 5-10 minutes.
  4. Wipe it off with a slightly damp cloth and then rinse with clean water.

Suitable for : cabinet door panels, tiles, and range hood housings.

🥔 Potato peel rub method

Principle : Potato starch can absorb oil.
step :

  1. Rub the inside of a potato peel on greasy surfaces.
  2. Wait until the starch layer is slightly dry and wipe it clean with a damp cloth.

Suitable for : glass and tile surfaces.

🥤 Baking Soda Degreasing Method

Principle : Weakly alkaline ingredients can decompose oil molecules.
step :

  1. Mix baking soda and warm water in a ratio of 1:3 to form a paste.
  2. Apply evenly on stubborn oil stains and let it sit for 15 minutes.
  3. Wipe with a scouring pad or sponge, then rinse with clean water.

Suitable for : stove tops, range hood filters.

2. Chemical cleaning method (fast results ⚡)

🧴 Kitchen degreaser

Selection tips :

  • Common brands in Hong Kong supermarkets include Mr. Muscle and Wonderful Butler.
  • Choose low-foaming ones without strong odor to avoid harming the skin and respiratory tract.

Directions :

  1. Wear gloves and a mask and keep ventilation.
  2. Spray evenly on the oil stain and let it sit for 2-3 minutes.
  3. Wipe clean with a damp cloth or rinse with hot water.

Suitable for : stubborn oil stains and stoves that have not been cleaned for a long time.

🔥 High temperature steam cleaning

Principle : High temperature dissolving oil + sterilization.
method :

  • Use a steam cleaner (available at home appliance stores in Hong Kong).
  • Spray steam on the oil stains and then wipe them away with a rag.

Suitable for : metal surfaces and glass that are not resistant to strong acids and alkalis.

🛠️ How to prevent oil smoke accumulation (get twice the result with half the effort)

  1. Upgrade your range hood
    • Choose a model with a suction power ≥ 15 m³/min. Hong Kong Fine Kitchen recommends using the **close suction type (side suction type)** which is more effective.
  2. Cover the pot while cooking
    • Reduce oil fume overflow.
  3. Preheat the pan before frying
    • Too low a temperature will produce more smoke.
  4. Use cold-pressed olive oil or low-smoke oil
    • Such as canola oil and peanut oil (high temperature stable).
  5. Open the window immediately after cooking and keep the range hood on for 5-10 minutes .
  6. Simply apply once a week
    • Prevent oil stains from accumulating into a hard crust.

💡 Editor's Tips

  • 🌟Regular cleaning > thorough cleaning saves time and effort.
  • 🌟Use hot water to soften the oil stains first , then use detergent to double the effect.
  • 🌟The range hood filter can be soaked in hot water + baking soda to easily remove grease.
  • 🌟Cover the top of the cabinet with plastic wrap or kitchen paper and replace it directly when oil smoke accumulates.
  • 🌟 Gloves + masks are essential when cleaning to protect the skin and respiratory tract.

💬Editor’s summary :
Hong Kong kitchens are small, and fumes accumulate quickly. To avoid greasy kitchen cabinets and stoves, wipe them down immediately after cooking and deep clean them regularly . For a more relaxed approach, natural remedies like lemon, white vinegar, and baking soda are safe and environmentally friendly. For stubborn grease, a dedicated degreaser or steamer will do the job. Most importantly, preventative measures are essential, so you don't have to worry about breaking your back during a New Year's cleaning. 💪✨

📌 Disclaimer <br>This article is for reference only and does not constitute any professional advice. The content is sourced from major online cleaning information and the experience of professional cleaning masters.

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