Commercial kitchen hoods are one of the most important pieces of equipment in a restaurant. They are responsible for removing smoke, grease, and odors from the air and keeping the kitchen cool and comfortable. The kitchen exhaust hood is made of 4 key parts, including the filters, fans, ductwork, and grease traps. These parts must be regularly cleaned and maintained to ensure optimal performance.
According to the NFPA, kitchen hoods should be cleaned at least once a month or more often if needed. This means that commercial kitchen exhaust cleaning is not a task that should be taken lightly.
Benefits of cleaning commercial kitchen exhaust hoods
Before we get into the nitty-gritty of how to clean a commercial kitchen exhaust hood, let’s take a look at some of the benefits of keeping this vital piece of equipment clean:
Improved air quality
As a business owner, you want to create a place where the customers can relax and enjoy the Juicy Stakes Casino bonuses while the employees can work without feeling suffocated. Unfortunately, a dirty commercial kitchen exhaust hood can have the opposite effect.
A greasy and grimy commercial kitchen hood not only creates an unpleasant smell but can also cause the quality of the air to deteriorate. This can lead to a variety of health problems, such as headaches, dizziness, and even respiratory illnesses.
Reduced fire risk
Fires can cause huge losses in commercial kitchens. A buildup of grease and debris in your commercial kitchen hood can increase the risk of a fire. By regularly cleaning your kitchen hood, you can help to reduce the risk.
Extended lifespan of the hood
Cleaning your commercial kitchen hood regularly will help extend its lifespan. This is because it will remove the buildup of grease and debris that can cause the hood to corrode. Additionally, a clean and well-maintained commercial kitchen hood will create a good impression for your customers and help to create a professional image for your business.
Improved energy efficiency
A clean commercial kitchen hood will run more efficiently than a dirty one. This means that you could see a reduction in your energy bills.
A step-by-step guide to cleaning a commercial kitchen exhaust hood
Now that we’ve looked at the benefits of cleaning commercial kitchen exhaust hoods, let’s take a look at how to do it.
How do clean hood filters?
Hood filters are usually made of metal mesh and are located at the top of the hood. They capture grease, smoke, and odors and must be cleaned regularly.
- Remove the filters from the hood. Most filters can be easily removed by lifting them up and out.
- Soak the filters in a degreaser solution. You can use a commercial degreaser or make your own by mixing 1 part dish soap with four parts hot water.
- Scrub the filters with a stiff brush to remove all the grease and grime.
- Rinse the filters with clean water and dry them completely before putting them back in the hood.
How to clean the fans?
The fans are located beneath the filters and play an important role in venting the smoke and odors out of the kitchen. Over time, they can get clogged with grease and dust, impacting their performance.
- Turn off the power to the hood and remove the fan blades. Most fan blades can be removed by unscrewing a few screws.
- Soak the fan blades in a degreaser solution.
- Scrub the fan blades with a brush.
- Rinse the fan blades with clean water and dry them using a soft cloth or air dry them
- Attach them back to the fan
How do you clean grease traps?
- Grease traps are essential for preventing grease from clogging up the ductwork and fans. They need to be regularly emptied and cleaned to prevent buildup.
- Turn off the power to the hood.
- Remove the grease traps and empty them into a garbage can.
- Soak the grease traps in a degreaser solution.
- Using a stiff brush, scrub the grease traps.
- Rinse them with clean water and dry them using a soft cloth or air dry them.
- Put them back in place.
How to clean ductwork?
Many people believe you only need to clean the outer portions of the hood, including the filters, fans, and grease traps. However, the ductwork also needs to be cleaned regularly, which is where professional duct cleaners come into play.
- Turn off the power to the hood.
- Remove the filters, fans, and grease traps.
- Hose down the inside of the hood to remove any loose debris.
- Scrub the ductwork, both the interior and exterior parts, to remove all the grease and grime.
- Rinse the ductwork with clean water and dry it.
By following the steps above, you can ensure your commercial kitchen hood is clean and running efficiently.
Take Away
Even though your commercial kitchen exhaust system looks clean, there may be grease hiding the ductwork. With the benefits of cleaning your commercial kitchen exhaust hood, it’s important to understand how to clean it properly. You can always hire a professional to do it for you. They have the necessary equipment and experience to clean all the exhaust system parts and will do a deep clean to ensure your system is running efficiently.
