If you’ve been in the restaurant industry for a while, you’ve probably heard about the importance of hood cleaning. Not only does it help keep the workplace sanitary, it also prevents the buildup of grease, which can become a fire hazard.
When you need to hire a hood cleaner, you should look for a company that follows the National Fire Protection Association Standard 96 (NFPA 96) for kitchen exhaust systems. NFPA 96 is a national standard that is adopted by many jurisdictions across the U.S. It covers the minimum standards for hood cleaning for commercial cooking operations. These standards also determine the frequency of cleanings required. Depending on the volume of food being cooked and the number of hoods and fans, you may need to schedule a hood cleaning on a regular basis.
NFPA 96 states that most commercial hoods should be cleaned quarterly. However, there are some exceptions. Facilities that don’t have a large amount of flammable material in the kitchen can get away with less frequent cleanings. A professional company can determine the best cleaning schedule for your hoods.
Generally, a restaurant hood cleaning service will wipe down the kitchen hoods and the roof. They’ll also check the fans for proper functioning. Some contractors use scrapers or pressure washers to clean the plenum and baffle filters. Other contractors may manually wash the hood interior.
Before a cleaning can begin, a contractor must first remove the fans from the ductwork. The fan base, the shroud and the fan blades should be removed. Once these parts are removed, the contractor should rinse them with hot water. After the duct work is dried, the contractor should reinstall the fans.
Typically, a hood cleaning service will use a hot water power washing method. This method sprays water at a pressure of about 1,500 p.s.i., removing all the grease from the hood and the ductwork. During this process, the hood should be rinsed with hot water to ensure that Hood Cleaning all the residue is removed.
Before the cleaning can begin, it is important to make sure that the hood and the roof are clean. In addition, a hood cleaning service will be able to clean the interior of the hood as well. For this, you’ll need to remove the grease cups. You can then dispose of them in a separate container.
Using a hood cleaning service is an easy way to maintain the cleanliness of your restaurant. Having a regular hood cleaning schedule can prevent the buildup of grease, which can be a fire hazard. Restaurants with wood burning stoves, for instance, may need to have their hoods cleaned on a monthly basis.
When hiring a hood cleaning service, you’ll be able to find one that will meet the standards of NFPA 96 and other fire codes. This includes using a degreasing solution, a cloth, and a soft-bristle brush. You’ll want to be careful to avoid scratching the surface of the hood, since this can lead to damage.