Your range hood is one of the most essential features in your kitchen. From absorbing unpleasant odors to minimizing smoke, you can make all aspects of cooking an easier, enjoyable experience with the push of a button. But when you hear loud rattling, clicking, or other sounds coming from your range hood, you might be tempted to leave it off altogether.
Your range hood may be loud due to:
- Loosened parts
- Damage to the fan or blockage
- The motor needs replacing
- Overdue cleaning
By examining your range hood’s components, you can get a better idea of what’s wrong.
Continue reading to learn more about why your range hood is making so much noise. Sure, you should be able to hear the fan blowing when you turn it on. However, any grinding, gnashing, or beeping noises could be a sign of an underlying issue.
Why Is My Range Hood So Loud?
Multiple reasons could cause a range hood to emit loud noises, including:
Loose Screws
If you hear a loud rattling sound coming from your range hood, it could be a loose screw. It could be within the appliance itself or the screws that hold the grate in place.
If you feel comfortable doing so, try removing the grate, turning on the appliance, and looking for the source of the noise. Keep your distance from the fan’s blades while doing so.
One of the Fan Blades Is Damaged
If you have a damaged fan blade, you might hear a grinding, clicking, or rattling sound coming from your device every time you turn the range hood on.
In this case, you have a few options. First and foremost, you could always buy a new fan. However, while you can generally find one online for about $20, the installation could cost you a bit more. That’s why it’s always a good idea to see if your range hood is under warranty so that the manufacturer might pay for any necessary repairs.
Something Is Caught in the Fan’s Blade
You might think that the grate covering your range hood’s fan is impermeable. However, you’d be surprised what things can get through. Anything from pieces of paper towels to foodstuffs can get caught in the fan’s blade, not only stopping it from working but also creating an unpleasant sound.
Unscrew your range hood’s grate and inspect your fan. Do not turn it on. This is also an excellent opportunity to see if any of the fan’s blades are bent or cracked.
You Need to Replace the Motor
Nothing is made to last forever. This is certainly the case with your range hood’s inner components. Generally, your range hood should last the life of your stove. However, with time, excessive use, and inadequate maintenance, its lifespan could be even shorter.
In these cases, you may need to replace the motor, fan, wiring, grate, or other components altogether. Admittedly, the cost of labor and parts could be more than your range hood is actually worth, so you may need to consider buying a new appliance altogether.
Check Your Range Hood’s Warranty
Depending on who manufactured your product, you could have a decent amount of time when it comes to filing a warranty claim. For instance, if you bought a KitchenAid range hood, you could have up to a year to file a claim. However, other sources indicate that you could have as long as five years, depending on what type of product you purchased.
You should not have to go through the ordeal of diagnosing your range hood’s problem if it’s still under warranty. In that instance, you could have a professional examine and remedy your problem.
You May Need to Do a “Deep Clean”
Your range hood doesn’t just absorb smoke and odors; it also captures grease. If you have your range hood on while you’re frying eggs, for example, the grease won’t build up on your cabinets and countertops. Instead, it’s filtered through the range hood.
To deep clean your range hood:
- Use a dust brush to clean any residue, grease, or grime
- Remove the grate and soak it in a degreasing solution
- Wipe away any built-up grime on the fan’s blades
- Check for any obstructions
You can use baking soda, warm water, a degreaser, and soap to complete this task.
In Conclusion
There could be numerous reasons why your range hood is making so much noise, but you don’t have to put up with this. By taking the time to examine your appliance, you can get to the root of your problem. Whether it’s an issue with the fan, internal motors, or another component, you have options.