Kitchen exhaust hood cleaning is essential to the health and safety of a restaurant. Grease buildup can be harmful to the kitchen environment, and is a significant fire hazard. A clean hood system is necessary to prevent fires, reduce health hazards and improve the quality of the air. Restaurant owners and managers should take proactive steps to maintain their hoods. In addition to regular maintenance, a proper inspection is crucial for the safety of the kitchen.
The National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) requires that most commercial kitchen hoods be cleaned at least quarterly. However, it is important to remember that some facilities may need to be cleaned more frequently than others. This depends on how often grease is vaporized from the food being cooked. When a hood isn’t properly cleaned, the grease can get lodged in the ductwork, fan and vent. It can also build up on the roof of the building, resulting in EPA/OSHA violations and costly roof repairs.
If you own a restaurant, it is recommended that you find a professional service to clean your hood regularly. These companies will thoroughly remove any flammable buildup and ensure that your hood is operating at peak performance. They will also polish and vacuum the entire hood system.
Before hiring a service to clean your hood, you will need to make sure that they have access to the rooftop. Some restaurants have fans that sit on the roof of their building, which means that they need to be able to remove the fan to reach the ductwork. Also, a contractor may need to manually clean the exterior of the hood. To help avoid damage to the fan and roof, a hinge kit should be used.
Once your hood is cleaned, the Hood Cleaning contractor should check the fans and other components of the hood for functionality. You may be required to install new filters. Additionally, the hood’s fan belt might need to be replaced. Most restaurants should be able to get by with a quarterly maintenance schedule, but special circumstances can require annual cleaning.
Hood cleaning typically involves removing the baffle filters, cleaning the plenum, and cleaning the fan blades. In addition, it involves removing any grease traps from the kitchen. For a thorough cleaning, you will need to soak the filters in a degreasing solution for at least a couple hours. Afterwards, a non-abrasive scrubbing pad can be used to scrub the interior of the exposed duct.
During the cleaning process, a professional will typically use hot water power washing to loosen any dirt or excess grease. Runoff from the washing process will be collected in a container. After the duct is rinsed, a damp cloth should be used to remove any soapy residue.
While you can perform some hood cleaning yourself, it is best to hire a professional to do it. A reputable hood cleaning service will have a checklist that includes checking for any faulty parts and hidden corners. In addition, they will apply a cleaning sticker to the hood. This sticker will serve as a reminder for your insurance agent and fire marshal that your hood has been cleaned.