How to Replace a Range Hood Filter

By Neo Pecorro, Founder · Last updated August 25, 2026

Replacing a range hood filter is a different job from cleaning one — and most people only ever need to do one of the two. Metal grease filters are washable and rarely need replacing at all; charcoal filters can’t be cleaned and need replacing on a schedule. This guide covers the actual swap for both filter types. If you’re here to wash a greasy metal filter instead, see How to Clean a Range Hood Filter.

When to Replace vs. Clean

Metal grease filters (aluminum mesh or stainless steel baffle) aren’t designed to be replaced on a fixed schedule — clean them every 1–3 months and only replace one if it’s visibly warped, the mesh has torn, or grease buildup has hardened past what cleaning can fix. Charcoal filters are the opposite: they can’t be cleaned at all and should be replaced every 3–6 months regardless of appearance, since their odor-absorbing capacity wears out invisibly.

How to Replace a Charcoal Filter

1. Turn off the range hood.
2. Remove the grease filter first — on ductless hoods, the charcoal filter usually sits behind or above it.
3. Locate the charcoal filter’s mount — it’s held in place by either a clip or a twist-lock, depending on the model.
4. Release the mount and lift out the old charcoal filter.
5. Note its shape and orientation before discarding — square, round, or solid block — so the new one seats the same way.
6. Insert the new charcoal filter into the same mount and engage the clip or twist-lock.
7. Reinstall the grease filter.

Charcoal filters can’t be cleaned or reused once removed — discard the old one rather than trying to save it.

How to Replace a Grease Filter

This is uncommon — most grease filters should be cleaned, not replaced. Only do this if your filter is warped, torn, or won’t clean properly anymore.

1. Turn off the range hood and let it cool if it was recently in use.
2. Slide out or unclip the old filter from the underside of the hood.
3. Check its orientation before removing it — grease filters are directional and only fit correctly one way.
4. If you don’t already know your filter’s size, measure the old one or see the Range Hood Filter Sizes guide before ordering.
5. Insert the new filter in the same orientation and clip or slide it into place.

Frequently Asked Questions

How often do I need to replace vs. clean my range hood filter?

Clean a metal grease filter every 1–3 months rather than replacing it — it’s not a consumable part. Replace a charcoal filter every 3–6 months regardless of how it looks, since it can’t be cleaned and its odor-absorbing capacity wears out even when it still looks fine.

How do I know if my charcoal filter needs replacing?

Go by time, not appearance — replace it every 3–6 months regardless of how it looks, since its odor-absorbing capacity is used up invisibly and there’s no visual sign it’s spent. If cooking odors linger noticeably longer than they used to, that’s also a sign it’s due.

Can I reuse a grease filter after removing it to clean it?

Yes — that’s the normal cycle for a metal grease filter. Remove it, wash it (dishwasher or a hot soapy soak), let it dry fully, and reinstall the same filter. You only need a genuinely new replacement filter if the old one is warped, torn, or no longer cleans properly.

What if I don’t know my hood’s filter size before ordering a replacement?

Measure your existing filter directly rather than searching by your hood’s model number — range hood filters aren’t as standardized across brands as fridge or HVAC filters. See the Range Hood Filter Sizes guide for exact measuring steps and typical size ranges by filter type.

Replacement steps on this page follow the same verification methodology used across FilterFitNow’s range hood guides — manufacturer care documentation cross-referenced against independent sources.