Kitchen hood cleaning is an important part of the health and safety of a restaurant. Grease and debris buildup can cause fires. Cleaning can keep your kitchen hoods and vent hoods in working order, and can protect your employees and patrons from fire hazards.
Almost every commercial cooking establishment in the United States requires hood cleaning. In fact, fire departments respond to approximately 7,640 structure fires each year in eating and drinking establishments. These fires are a major threat to life, property, and the environment. The risk is heightened by the presence of solid fuels, such as oil and grease. Cooking oil fires are typically not contained by most suppression systems.
Most jurisdictions have adopted the National Fire Protection Association Standard 96, which provides guidelines for proper cleaning. A standard hood cleaning includes the removal of built-up compounds from the exterior and interior surfaces of the hood. Other parts of the hood system, such as filters and baffle filters, may also be cleaned. It is also recommended to polish the hood to enhance its appearance.
The frequency of hood cleaning depends on the types of food and the volume of grease that is being cooked. For example, a kitchen with a wood burning stove will need to clean its hood more frequently than a kitchen that doesn’t cook with much grease. Restaurants that cook with more grease than usual, such as those that serve seafood, will have greater grease buildup. However, most restaurants can go a few months between hood cleanings.
When cleaning your hood, you can do it yourself or hire a professional. If you hire a professional, you’ll need to remove the fans and exhaust ducts to make room for the work. Contractors may use pressure washers or brushes to clean the plenum and baffle filters. They’ll also need access to the roof of the building.
Before cleaning, a hood should be inspected to ensure that it is operating properly. This Hood Cleaning will help to prevent damage and allow the technician to find anomalies. Some areas of the hood, such as the fan blades, can be replaced with new ones to avoid damage. Also, the gas valves can be turned back on.
Hood cleaning professionals usually use hot water pressure washing to remove buildup and chemicals. They can also use caustic chemicals to break down grease. Be sure to use a non-abrasive scrub pad to apply the solution. After the hood is thoroughly cleaned, it should be dried with a separate towel.
Besides regular hood cleaning, it is important to have a professional inspect your ductwork to ensure that it is in proper working condition. Having a professional duct cleaning service regularly clean your hoods and ventilation systems will help save money and ensure that your employees and customers remain safe. Having a clean kitchen can lead to success in the restaurant business.
Many restaurants are faced with the dilemma of deciding whether to clean the hood themselves or hire a hood cleaning service. Regardless of the decision, it’s a good idea to have a cleaning checklist. This will help your store’s staff know how to clean your hoods, ductwork, and other components.