Keeping kitchen hoods clean is important for safety and to prevent fires. A dirty hood can make it inefficient and may cause damage to some of the hood’s parts. In order to protect against such hazards, it’s a good idea to hire a professional service to perform the hood cleaning for you.
Hood cleaning typically involves cleaning all the duct work and fan. It may also include the use of degreasing solution. This is necessary to prevent a buildup of grease, which can become flammable. Typically, a hood cleaner uses a combination of warm water, liquid degreaser, and a soft-bristle brush.
After the fan is cleaned, it should be dried and reattached. Grease can build up on the fan blades and roof, leading to costly repairs. Therefore, it is crucial that you follow a routine maintenance schedule. The frequency of hood cleanings depends on the number of fans, type of food being cooked, and how much greasy vapors are drawn up through the hood plenum. Generally, a hood will need to be cleaned at least quarterly, although special circumstances such as the volume of food being cooked may require annual cleaning.
Hoods are often located in the roof of a restaurant. However, grease can also build up in the hood plenum, exhaust fan, and ductwork. Thus, it is important to maintain a clean roof to avoid EPA and OSHA violations.
During the hood cleaning process, a contractor will typically remove the baffle filters, pressure wash them, and then reinstall them. They will also vacuum the hood’s roof and ductwork, and possibly apply a light polish to it.
Before hiring a hood cleaning service, you need to know how the process works. Most cleaning companies will come in and inspect the entire hood, removing all the filters and baffles, and then reinstalling them. Some contractors will do it manually, using brushes to disassemble the hood’s plenum.
When a hood cleaning company arrives, it’s typically in the late night or early morning. They’ll check all of the fans to ensure that they are operating properly, and will wipe down the kitchen hoods. They will then apply a sticker that shows the date and time of their next scheduled cleaning. This Hood Cleaning is done so that you can let your insurance agent know when to notify them.
Depending on the number of hoods and fans in your kitchen, the process can take as little as three to four hours. If your facility is large enough, a professional cleaner may be able to do all of the work themselves.
Hood cleaning is a very important part of any restaurant. Regularly cleaning your hood is the best way to ensure the safety of your employees and customers, and to prevent the spread of contaminated food. Regardless of the frequency of your hood cleanings, it is imperative that you keep your hood in top-notch condition.
The National Fire Protection Association Standard 96 is the national minimum standard for hood cleaners. NFPA 96 dictates that most commercial hoods should be cleaned at least quarterly.