2. The Invisible Grease Mist Your Stove Sends Into the Air
Whenever you cook, especially when frying or sautéing, tiny grease droplets are released into the air. This ‘grease mist’ can travel up to 5 feet from your stove, settling on nearby surfaces, including your vent hood. The vent hood is designed to capture these particles, but over time, the buildup can become significant.
In a typical kitchen, it’s estimated that cooking can release hundreds of milligrams of grease into the air each month. Without regular deep cleaning, these particles accumulate and form a sticky layer that’s difficult to remove.
3. How Old Grease Film Turns Into a Permanent-Tacky Coating
Over time, grease that is not properly cleaned can oxidize and harden, turning into a tough, sticky film. This film can trap dust and other debris, which makes it even more difficult to clean. The older the grease, the more stubborn and tacky it becomes.
This transformation is exacerbated by heat, which can cause the grease to polymerize, forming a nearly permanent coating. This is why even after wiping, the surface can still feel sticky, as the underlying layer is not fully removed.
4. The Role of Steam, Humidity, and Holiday Cooking Marathons
Steam and humidity from cooking can exacerbate the stickiness of your vent hood. When moisture combines with grease, it can create a more adhesive surface, making it harder to clean. During the holidays, when cooking is more frequent and elaborate, this effect is magnified.
High humidity levels in the kitchen also prevent grease from drying out, so it remains tacky. This is why vent hoods often feel stickier after cooking sessions that produce a lot of steam, such as boiling or simmering.
5. When Soap and Water Aren’t Enough: Why Regular Wiping Fails
While soap and water are effective for many cleaning tasks, they often fall short when dealing with grease. Grease is hydrophobic, meaning it repels water, so simply wiping with a soapy cloth may not break down the grease molecules effectively.
For a more effective clean, you need a degreaser that can emulsify the grease, breaking it down so it can be wiped away. Without this, soap and water might only spread the grease around rather than remove it.
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