Commercial Kitchen Cleaning  Services

The Importance of Hood Cleaning 

Kitchen hood cleaning refers to the removal of debris, grease, and other built-up compounds in and on the components of a kitchen hood exhaust system. The process can involve the fan, hood, filters, and connected horizontal and vertical ducts.

There are many reasons to invest in regular kitchen hood cleaning, such as: 

• Fire prevention. The exhaust system is designed to draw in grease, smoke, and moisture to prevent it from spreading throughout the kitchen. These materials can buildup in the system over time, resulting in a significant fire hazard if left unchecked. Grease is highly flammable. If a stray spark comes in contact with the materials accumulated in and on the exhaust system components, they will ignite. If grease is present in the ducts, the draw of the exhaust fan could lead to the spread of the fire and smoke throughout the exhaust system and other connected systems.

• Air quality. The buildup of materials can also affect the effectiveness of the exhaust system. As filters and ductwork become more clogged, the system is less able to clean incoming air, resulting in more airborne contaminants circulating through the facility. 

• Sanitation. The high moisture and heat levels experienced by exhaust system components make them highly susceptible to the growth of bacteria, mold, and mildew, all of which can lead to illness in those consuming the food produced by the kitchen.

• Industry standard compliance. National Fire Prevention Association (NFPA) 96 standards outline the maintenance and cleaning requirements for commercial cooking equipment, including exhaust systems. Any kitchens found not in compliance with these guidelines will be closed down until they are brought up to code, which, depending on the amount of time and money required to do so, could lead to permanent closure.