How Often Should I Clean My Kitchen Hood to Prevent Fire?
11/22/2017
Did you know that, according to the National Fire Protection Association, more than half of all restaurant fires in the U.S. are related to malfunctioning or improperly maintained cooking equipment? A range hood is a common source of a kitchen fire — too often, the failure to conduct regular kitchen range hood cleaning leads to an accumulation of grease that can ignite and spread quickly through the kitchen and the rest of the facility.
Here is a typical restaurant kitchen fire scenario:
- High flames produced during cooking reaches the filter located inside the kitchen range hood
- The filter ignites and the range hood’s exhaust fan draws the flames upward into the ductwork
- The flames ignite the accumulate grease inside the ductwork and cause a major fire that spreads throughout the entire building and places workers and customers at risk
Tips for Knowing When to Clean a Restaurant Kitchen Hood
The appropriate restaurant kitchen hood cleaning frequency depends on factors such as the type of facility and the volume of cooking:
- Establishments such as fast food restaurants and 24/7 diners typically experience a heavy cooking volume that requires range hood cleaning every 30 days
- Facilities such as hotel kitchens and hospital cafeterias that experience “regular” use require a 90-day cleaning interval
- Sit-down pizza restaurants should clean their range hoods every six months
- Hoods installed over kitchen appliances that do not accumulate grease require an annual cleaning
Kitchen Range Hood Cleaning Steps
The general steps of the kitchen range hood cleaning process include:
- Removing and cleaning/replacing the filter: The filter is located on the underside of the hood. If your hood has a metal filter, remove it and soak it in a degreasing solution until all the accumulated grease is dissolved. Filters made of charcoal usually cannot be cleaned and should be replaced.
- Cleaning the hood: Cleaning the range hood itself is a simple process – just apply a non-abrasive household cleaning or degreasing spray, being careful to avoid spraying the lightbulb or any electrical components.
- Cleaning the vent: The vent that leads from the hood to the outside of the building can accumulate grease over time. A dirty vent typically requires cleaning by a professional.
- Maintaining/replacing the motor: The motor powers the range hood’s exhaust fan. The motor’s blower wheel can accumulate dirt and grease, which can negatively impact fan performance. If cleaning the blower wheel with a degreaser does not resolve the issue, you may need to replace the motor.
A New Range Hood From Titan Alarm Can Help Prevent Fires in the Kitchen
As a leading provider of commercial fire protection systems in the Phoenix-Tucson, AZ area, Titan Alarm, Inc. is your headquarters for a high-quality kitchen range hood for your restaurant. We offer advanced wet chemical and dry chemical range hood systems that will help to prevent fires in the kitchen — and improve indoor air quality. We can also install your range hood and provide timely maintenance and cleaning service. Contact us to learn more today.
Learn More About Kitchen Hood Systems
Updated by Titan Alarm on November 5, 2018.
