Commercial Kitchen Hood Cleaning

For over thirty years, Interior Maintenance Company has cleaned all kinds of ventilation systems, including kitchen hood grease exhaust ducts.

The Importance of Kitchen Hood Cleaning

Kitchen hood cleaning refers to the removal of debris, grease, and other built-up compounds in and on the components of a kitchen hood exhaust system. The process can involve the fan, hood, filters, and connected horizontal and vertical ducts. 

There are many reasons to invest in regular kitchen hood cleaning, such as: 

• Fire prevention. The exhaust system is designed to draw in grease, smoke, and moisture to prevent it from spreading throughout the kitchen. These materials can buildup in the system over time, resulting in a significant fire hazard if left unchecked. Grease is highly flammable. If a stray spark comes in contact with the materials accumulated in and on the exhaust system components, they will ignite. If grease is present in the ducts, the draw of the exhaust fan could lead to the spread of the fire and smoke throughout the exhaust system and other connected systems.

• Air quality. The buildup of materials can also affect the effectiveness of the exhaust system. As filters and ductwork become more clogged, the system is less able to clean incoming air, resulting in more airborne contaminants circulating through the facility. 
• Sanitation. The high moisture and heat levels experienced by exhaust system components make them highly susceptible to the growth of bacteria, mold, and mildew, all of which can lead to illness in those consuming the food produced by the kitchen.
• Industry standard compliance. National Fire Prevention Association (NFPA) 96 standards outline the maintenance and cleaning requirements for commercial cooking equipment, including exhaust systems. Any kitchens found not in compliance with these guidelines will be closed down until they are brought up to code, which, depending on the amount of time and money required to do so, could lead to permanent closure.

Hood Cleaning for Commercial Facilities

Hood cleaning services are essential for a variety of commercial facilities, including, but not limited to, the following: 

• Hotels. In the hospitality industry, cleanliness is a top priority. The cleanliness of a hotel significantly impacts how well a customer perceives and receives it and how safe it is for personnel and patrons. Regularly cleaning the kitchen’s exhaust system helps reduce the risk of fires and foodborne illnesses. 
• Restaurants. Similar to hotels, restaurants should invest in regular hood cleaning operations to prevent the distribution of contaminated food to consumers and the breakout of fire at stove, fryer, grill, and boiling stations.  
• Nursing homes. Like hotels and restaurants, nursing homes need to achieve and maintain high standards of sanitation. However, meeting this requirement can be difficult since cleaning operations must not disrupt the facility’s occupants. For hood cleaning operations in nursing homes, cleaning professionals often utilize cleaning techniques that do not produce fumes or residues to avoid harming elderly residents that may be susceptible to harsh chemicals and detergents. 
• Hospitals. Hospitals are subject to much stricter sanitary standards than hotels, restaurants, and other general food service facilities. As a result, cleaning professionals utilize industrial-strength cleaning equipment to ensure all traces of grease, debris, and moisture buildup are eliminated from the kitchen exhaust system. 

Commercial Kitchen Hood Cleaning Services at IMC

If you need commercial kitchen hood cleaning services, turn to the experts at IMC. We have over 20 years of experience cleaning hood exhaust systems for customers across the Mid-Atlantic region. As a member of the International Kitchen Exhaust Cleaning Association (IKECA), we ensure our technicians clean exhaust systems to industry standards (e.g., NFPA-96). Regardless of whether we are cleaning systems in hospitals, assisted living facilities, casinos, schools, government buildings, or restaurants, we ensure they are properly cleaned to keep occupants safe from fire, fire hazards, and keeping your systems running efficiently. 

To learn more about our commercial hood cleaning services or discuss your requirements with one of our representatives, contact us or request a quote today.