When you have a restaurant, one of the key things you have to do is ensure that your hood is cleaned regularly. This will help keep your hood functioning well, as well as help to prevent fires. Restaurant hoods are often used to ventilate the kitchen area and are also important for the safety of staff.
There are a number of parts that make up a kitchen hood, and each one must be cleaned separately. These areas include grease traps, the plenum, exhaust fan, and baffle filters. In some cases, the hood may even be connected to vents leading to the roof.
Hood cleaning typically takes between three to four hours. However, the length of time will vary depending on the amount of food being cooked and the frequency of hood maintenance. Some restaurants may be able to get away with a quarterly cleaning schedule, while others might need to have their hoods cleaned on a more frequent basis.
A hood cleaning company will come in and perform a variety of tasks. First, they will disassemble the hood and inspect the interior. They may use scrapers to loosen up the greasy buildup. Once the hood has been cleaned, they will use a damp cloth to remove any soapy residue. Then, they will polish the outside and inside of the hood.
Typically, they will also clean the duct work, roof or wall mount fan, and the exhaust blades. If necessary, they will also wash the interior of the hood and scrubbing the plenum.
During the actual cleaning process, they will check the hood for signs of rust and vibrations. During this time, they will also check for signs of leaks or other problems. If they find any, they will immediately inform the store owner.
The hood cleaning technician will then apply a sticker that indicates the date of their next cleaning. This will help to inform insurance agents and fire inspectors of the next time the hood will be cleaned.
Depending on the size of the kitchen, the hood can be cleaned on a weekly, monthly, or annual basis. For instance, a wood burning stove or range hood might need to be cleaned once a month. Similarly, a QSR might need to clean their hood filters on a daily or weekly basis.
To protect your hood, the cleaning company will place a plastic bag over the hood to prevent dirtying the rest of the equipment. Also, a separate towel will be used to dry the interior of the Hood Cleaning hood. Lastly, they will polish the hood until it is shining.
Whether you choose to clean your hood on your own or have a hood cleaning service do it for you, be sure to know what you are doing. It is always best to follow proper procedures. Otherwise, your hood could become unusable.
Kitchen hoods are an essential part of any restaurant. By keeping them in good working condition, you can ensure that they are safe for your employees and your customers.