Smelly extractor pipe

[ilovevenice]

Our hob extractor goes out through a pipe that vents to the garden. We've recently noticed a stale fatty smell in the kitchen and my DH is sure that it's from congealed fat in the pipe. He's had a look and cleaned the bit he can reach but the smell is still there.
Do we have to call in the professionals? If so, which sorts of professionals do this sort of thing? (We're in London)
It's not going to get any better in the summer presumably!

[MrsFlorrick]

Have you cleaned the filters in your extractor recently? They can get very smelly if left.

Could you remove the grill on the outside wall and have a look in?

Or simply ask someone to come and replace the whole extractor pipe for you?

[MrsFlorrick]

Oh I see about which type
Of professional.

As its an electrical appliance, you need an electrician to replace the ducting (pipe).

You could do this yourselves but if you're not handy at DIY or don't want to do it ask an electrician.

[ilovevenice]

Thank you - yes we have cleaned the extractor filters and also gone in through the grille on the garden! And I don't think that either of us are expert enough at DIY to actually replace the pipe ourselves.
It was new 5.5 years ago - is this a standard problem that's likely to happen again? Should it be installed differently this time around? I don't remember this happening in previous properties. Hmmmm.

[MrsFlorrick]

Is it def. the ducting?

[PigletJohn]

the ducting through the wall is (should be) 100mm plastic pipe. It might be galvanised steel. Either can be sponged clean with an ordinary household cleaner. However the smell is unlikely to come from the duct, it is more likely the filters or the shell of the hood.

Sometimes the duct is not properly connected to the hood, so the fumes escape. Flexible duct is very poor.

Although an electrician might have fitted the switch and connection for the hood, you do not need an electrician to clean the hood or the duct.

There should be a draught-resistant terminal on the outside end of the duct to prevent wind blowing fumes into the kitchen.
I greatly prefer the cowl vent