You must have seen a canopy-like structure with a fan and filters in kitchens, expelling the smoke and fumes from a delicious recipe being cooked on the stove. Well, that is a kitchen hood on duty!
What is a Kitchen Hood?
A kitchen hood or exhaust hood, or vent hood, is a ventilation system installed above cooking appliances like stoves, grills, and fryers. Commercial Kitchen Hoods are used to remove smoke, grease, heat, steam, and odors from the kitchen by filtering the air or venting it outside. Kitchen hoods are essential for fire safety, air quality, and regulatory compliance.
When to get the kitchen hood cleaned?
Have you been avoiding getting your kitchen hood cleaned? How often a restaurant hood needs cleaning is dependent on how much cooking takes place, or on the fumes, or smoke that occurs under that hood in the commercial kitchen.
- Once a month – for all fast-food establishments and 24-hour restaurants. So, Monthly Exhaust System Inspections for Solid Fuel Kitchens Cooking over charcoal or wood.
- Every 3 months– for above-average to high volume restaurants, for 24-hour schedules, cafeterias and hotel kitchens.’
- Every 6 months– for restaurants with average volume. So, Semi-Annual Exhaust System Inspections for Moderate-volume kitchens.
- Once a year– for hoods over non-grease appliances, for restaurants that operate seasonally, for those restaurants that deliver a really low amount of food. So, Annual Exhaust System Inspections for Low-volume Kitchens.
Risks associated with an unclean kitchen hood :
When Commercial Kitchen Cleaning is not undertaken for the kitchen hoods a number of problems may arise:
- Fire Hazard- It may pose a fire hazard since grease buildups on walls, ceilings, and equipment which later becomes a fire risk. Many fires in commercial kitchens start due to unventilated grease accumulation.
- Health Hazards also occur as grease particles from frying and cooking tend to settle on surfaces, making them sticky and difficult to clean. Over time, this can lead to bacterial growth and contamination. Excess moisture from steam and grease buildup can lead to mold and mildew growth, which is harmful to health. Moreover, poor Air Quality due to uncleaned hoods can cause breathing problems, irritation, and discomfort for kitchen staff. Smoke, grease, and cooking fumes will not be properly vented resulting in unhealthy indoor air and also cause strong, lingering odors in the kitchen and dining area.
- Increased Pest Problems as grease buildup attracts pests like cockroaches and rodents, creating sanitation issues. This can lead to customer complaints and a damaged reputation.
- Reduced Efficiency of Ventilation System. A clogged hood system won’t remove heat and steam effectively, making the kitchen hot and uncomfortable. The exhaust fan will have to work harder, leading to higher energy costs and possible breakdowns.
- Health Code Violations and Fines! Restaurants and commercial kitchens are required by local health codes to clean their hoods regularly. Failure to do so can result in fines, penalties, or even forced closure of the business.
If you are looking for a commercial kitchen cleaning company or need restaurant hood cleaning, reach out to Anago Cleaning Systems.
Our team of experts can help you with customised cleaning solutions keeping in mind the space, special requirements and expertise required for your commercial space.
Schedule a professional Commercial kitchen cleaning in Mississauga today and keep your kitchen safe, compliant, and efficient!
