You have a lot to do, too, as a restaurant owner, but your kitchen should always be at the top. One of the most important safety measures is routine cleaning of hoods.
Our company, Brazas Fire, provides hood cleaning services that keep restaurants in Albuquerque and cities across the State of New Mexico compliant, safe, and worry-free. So how often should you do kitchen hood and exhaust cleaning at your restaurant?
The answer depends on the kind of kitchen you run and how often you cook.
Why Hood Cleaning Matters
Grease naturally builds up in your exhaust hood and ductwork. This accumulative process can, over time:
- Increase the threat of a deadly kitchen fire.
- Reduce ventilation and air quality.
- Cause code compliance problems or health inspection problems.
- Increase the life of your equipment by reducing its wear and tear.
This is why the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) has developed NFPA 96 standards to tell restaurant owners when to perform professional hood cleaning.
NFPA 96 Guidelines for Hood Cleaning
Here’s what the NFPA recommends for commercial kitchens:
- Monthly: Medium-sized kitchens, such as 24 hour restaurants, fast food, or solid fuels like wood or charcoal.
- Quarterly (Every 3 Months): Large cafeterias, hotel kitchens, or sit-down restaurants heavily used.
- Semi-annually (two times a year): Larger kitchens than most casual restaurants.
- Annually: Small kitchens for churches, seasonal venues or day camps.
These are a minimum level of cleaning, you may need to clean more often depending on your setup.
Factors That Affect Cleaning Frequency
Not every kitchen is the same. Consider also the following; besides the NFPA guidelines:
- Cooking: More grease than baking or steaming is produced by frothing and charbroiling.
- Hours of operation: More operating hours mean less grease buildup.
- Ventilation system design: Older or less efficient systems may need more frequent cleaning.
- Local codes: Some Alabama municipalities might require tighter schedules.
Signs It’s Time for Kitchen Hood and Exhaust Cleaning
Even when you’re on a schedule, don’t ignore these warning signs: A lot of grease on or around your hood. Strong odors that persist in the kitchen or dining area.
Smoke not venting properly. Too much airflow when cooking. If you notice these things, it is best to call a professional cleaning soon.
Trust Brazas Fire of Albuquerque
Brazas Fire of Albuquerque provides hood cleaning professionals that include:
- Complies with NFPA 96 and local codes.
- Clean hoods, filters, fans, and ductwork.
- Keep your employees, customers, and property from fire.
- Customize service schedules to your kitchen’s needs.
So how often do you wash your restaurant hood?
At least as often as NFPA standards require, and in many cases more often. Having a clean schedule in mind reduces risk, protects your investment, and ensures that inspections are stress free.
Ready to schedule your next kitchen hood cleaning? For more information, contact Brazas Fire of Albuquerque today at 505-899-8999.