If you own a restaurant, your kitchen exhaust system needs to be cleaned regularly. This is one of the first defenses against fire hazards in the kitchen. It can help prevent fires and improve the indoor air quality in your restaurant.
The National Fire Protection Association recommends cleaning your kitchen exhaust system at least once a year. However, the frequency of cleaning depends on the volume of cooking in your restaurant. Also, your insurance policy may require you to clean your system more frequently.
Cleaning your kitchen exhaust system helps to remove grease and hazardous buildups that have built up on the system. In addition, it improves the airflow and makes your equipment more efficient. With better airflow, your kitchen can work more efficiently, which also means lower power costs.
Cleaners use a variety of techniques, from using scrapers to scraping heavy grease buildup to applying a chemical foamer. In addition, they often polish the hood to make it easier to clean.
To get the most from your commercial kitchen exhaust cleaning, it’s important to hire a professional. A certified contractor will have a higher standard of inspection and testing. They can also apply a fire safe finish to the system to help prevent further fires.
Using baking soda and dish soap to clean your grease filter is an easy way to reduce the Kitchen Exhaust Cleaning amount of flammable residue in your kitchen. Mix the solution and let it sit for 15-30 minutes. Afterwards, rinse the hood thoroughly. You can also sanitize your range hood by soaking it in vinegar and warm water.
The NFPA recommends you hire a qualified contractor to do this task for you. Besides removing flammable buildups from your exhaust system, they can identify parts that need to be replaced. Depending on the state, they can even help you receive a certification sticker. These stickers are visible to authorities, so they can verify your compliance with local fire codes.
Having your kitchen exhaust cleaned by a contractor will ensure your restaurant is in compliance with NFPA 96 standards. It also will help you avoid insurance claims. As well as helping your business to be in compliance, your business will be safer for your employees.
Restaurants with fast food chains and Asian cuisines are notorious for using a lot of oil and grease. Grease buildup in your kitchen can speed up a fire, which can pose a huge risk to your restaurant and your employees. But if you have a reputable contractor, you can rest assured that your restaurant will be in good hands.
Keeping your kitchen exhaust system clean is a necessary step to ensure the safety of your employees, customers and your restaurant. Cleaning the system also helps keep your business open for business. Moreover, a dirty system can lead to a premature failure of your equipment, which can increase your employee sick days and cost your company money.
Cleaning your kitchen exhaust system can be done on your own, but the most effective method is to have it professionally cleaned. A trained contractor will have the expertise, the tools and the knowledge to ensure your kitchen exhaust system is in good working condition.