The kitchen exhaust hood is one of the most important parts of a commercial cooking facility. It keeps your employees safe by removing hazardous particles from the air. But it can become clogged with grease and other residues when not properly cleaned. This can cause the hood to work inefficiently and lead to odors, a buildup of moisture, and even a fire. When you are cleaning your kitchen hood, it is important to follow established cleaning procedures to ensure compliance with local codes.
One of the best ways to clean a kitchen hood is to hire a professional cleaning service. Professional cleaning companies specialize in servicing and maintaining the entire kitchen exhaust system. Investing in regular hood cleaning is essential to keeping your restaurant and your employees safe.
Cleaning services typically use a hot water power washer to remove grease and other debris. They also use degreasers and steam cleaners. Some contractors also use brushes and scrapers on the plenum, or inside the hood. A non-abrasive scrubbing pad is also ideal for the duct’s exterior.
Before a hood cleaning, it is important to perform an inspection of the vent hood. This Kitchen Exhaust Cleaning inspection will help technicians see any abnormalities that may need to be addressed. In addition, it will allow them to check for safety hazards. After the inspection is complete, the hood will be ready for cleaning.
During the cleaning process, the hood cleaning technician will disassemble the hood. The hood is usually polished to improve its appearance. They will clean the interior and exterior of the hood, as well as wipe down the floor and walls. If they are unable to remove all the grease and other stains, they will apply a food grade polish.
Kitchen exhaust hood cleaning services can be scheduled anytime, and they can be performed any time of the day. They are generally available Sunday through Thursday, but can be arranged late night or very early in the morning.
Cleaning the hood may seem like a simple job, but it requires careful physical and organizational skills. Depending on the size of your facility, it may take several hours to complete. Restaurants with heavy amounts of grease build-up might require more frequent cleanings. On the other hand, facilities with little or no grease may only need to have their hoods cleaned once a month.
Hood cleaners should adhere to the National Fire Protection Association Standard 96, which is the standard for commercial kitchen operators across the country. NFPA’s standard states that most commercial kitchen hoods should be cleaned quarterly. Whether or not you choose to hire a hood cleaning service, the NFPA recommends checking with your insurance agent for the best cleaning schedule.
A hood cleaning service can save you time and energy, especially when you don’t have the expertise to clean your hood. It can also help you avoid fires. Regular hood cleaning operations prevent the occurrence of a fire at cooking stations. Most restaurants can get by with a quarterly cleaning, but if you have a large volume of food being cooked, your hood might need to be cleaned more often.