Kitchen Exhaust Cleaning, often referred to as “hood cleaning”, is the process of removing grease build-up that has accumulated inside the hoods, ducts, fans and filters, of a commercial kitchen ventilation system. This service is federally mandated, by the National Fire Protection Agency (NFPA-96), as grease build-up is one of the leading causes of restaurant fires. While the risk of fire certainly tops the list, this is merely one reason of many, to maintain your hood system on a routine basis. Here are a few other benefits to consider:
Bucket of grease removed from a neglected hood system.
Peace of mind. A neglected hood system can result in costly kitchen closures and hefty fines, when the inspector drops in. Restaurant owners may find these inspections to be obnoxious but the regulations imposed could very well save the establishment from a much larger, and much more dangerous, threat. According to the National Fire Data Center, restaurant fires cause approximately $246 million in damages each year. Eliminating this highly flammable residue from the hood system does more than protect and prolong the life of your equipment. It keeps the entire restaurant, staff and patrons safe from a potentially life-threatening situation.
Money. Keeping up with regularly scheduled kitchen exhaust cleanings can add up to big savings! Grease laden fan blades put a strain on the performance of the upblast fan, leading to higher energy bills. When neglected, the blades become saturated with grease and cause an imbalance in the fan, resulting in emergency service calls and expensive repairs, or even premature fan replacement. The grease, built up on the fan, will eventually spill out onto the roof, causing further damage and expenditures, as well as potential problems with the owner of the building. Keep your fan running at peak performance, with timely kitchen exhaust cleanings, and all of these extra expenses can easily be avoided!
Productivity. The restaurant industry is no joke! It is fast-paced, it is demanding, and most hours worked are spent on your feet. No one knows this better than the kitchen staff, who are, undoubtedly, the heart of any restaurant. Show your chefs and line cooks the respect that they deserve, by providing a cool, clean, healthy environment for them to work in. This will not only boost morale in the kitchen but will also boost productivity, as high body temperatures are known to cause irritability, confusion and fatigue- none of which make for a productive staff!
Pride. While the aforementioned are all important reasons to maintain your hood system, the most satisfying benefit of a properly maintained kitchen is the sense of pride that it brings. Running a restaurant is no easy feat. With the amount of time and effort put in, to keep your kitchen running smoothly, it’s nice to be able to see and feel the results of your hard work. Don’t fear, when the inspector is near! Invite him, or her, in and show off that beautiful hood system!
Why us? The Grease Beast has the experience, and the equipment, to get the job done properly. Our techs do not cut corners. You can rest assured that, unlike many companies, our guys go on the roof and clean the exhaust fan during EVERY SERVICE! We will arrive on time, clean your exhaust system, above and beyond the requirements of the NFPA standards, and leave no mess behind!
Call The Grease Beast today, for a free estimate, and let us take a little stress off of your plate!