Kitchen hood cleaning is the removal of grease and debris from the vent hood and exhaust system in a restaurant or commercial kitchen. Aside from improving air quality, this process can also help prevent fires in the kitchen. When a hood is dirty, it can become inefficient and can cause a building to burn down. It is important to schedule regular cleanings for your kitchen exhaust system to keep it safe and efficient.
A hood cleaner’s job requires a lot of physical work. They clean the insides and outs of a hood, including the fan, plenum area, filter tracts, and grease troughs. In addition, they may clean the walls, floor, and other parts of the kitchen. If you own or operate a restaurant, you should have your hood cleaned at least once a year. This way, you’ll keep it in good shape and make sure the kitchen is safe for your employees.
Cleaning your hood is essential to ensure your facility’s safety and to comply with local and state regulations. In order to do this, you need a certified hood cleaning company. The cleaning professionals will use non-toxic and safe methods to remove flammable residues and grease from the interior surfaces of your restaurant’s ventilation system.
Hood cleaning involves hot water pressure washing to remove any excess grease buildup. This is followed by scrubbing and hand-washing of the entire kitchen exhaust system. Then, the hood is polished to a shine.
Depending on the size of the kitchen, a hood cleaning service may take several hours to complete. They usually charge based on the frequency of cleanings. Whether your hood is large or small, it is a good idea to have it cleaned periodically. Most commercial kitchens are required to have a hood cleaned at least quarterly.
Before a hood cleaning service can begin, they will need access to your roof. During the inspection, the technician will look at the fan for noise, vibration, and proper working order. Also, they will inspect the exhaust fan blades and the baffle filters. These areas should be wrapped with plastic to prevent the accumulation of grease. Once the cleaning is complete, the fans can be turned back on.
Upon completion of the cleaning, the hood will have a certified NFPA 96 sticker. This Hood Cleaning decal is visible to firefighters and other officials. Having this decal means the hood was cleaned within the specified NFPA 96 timeframe.
In addition to ensuring compliance with NFPA 96, a restaurant’s ductwork needs to be cleaned on a regular basis. Proper ductwork can save you money in the long run.
A reputable hood cleaning service will perform a thorough and professional cleaning of your kitchen’s ductwork. This includes the fan, ducts, blowers, and other parts of your hood. Using high-powered pressure washing and other industrial strength tools, they will thoroughly scrub your ducts and fans.
A hood cleaning job requires a great deal of physical work, as well as excellent time management skills. It also requires a valid driver’s license and some background checks. Some jobs will require drug screenings as well.