Exhaust hood systems play a vital role in maintaining a clean and safe environment in commercial kitchens. These systems work tirelessly to remove grime, dust, grease, and other airborne particles from the air. However, to keep your exhaust hood system operating efficiently, it's crucial to clean and maintain its stainless steel hood filters regularly. In this guide, we'll walk you through the steps to clean your hood filters effectively, ensuring your exhaust system works at its best.

Why Cleaning Your Hood Filters Matters

Stainless steel hood filters are excellent at capturing airborne particles, but they can become clogged with grease and dirt over time. When filters get too clogged, several issues can arise:

• Reduced Cleaning Efficiency: Clogged filters hinder the exhaust system's ability to clean the air effectively.

• Increased Workload: The system has to work harder to compensate for blocked filters, potentially causing damage.

Now, let's dive into the step-by-step process to clean your hood filters:

Step 1: Remove the Filter

Start by removing the air filter from your exhaust hood system. Inspect it for any damage. If the filter is damaged, consider replacing it; otherwise, proceed to the next step.

Step 2: Prepare a Soaking Station

Fill a kitchen sink or any large receptacle with very hot water. The hot water will help break down grease and grime, making the cleaning process easier.

Step 3: Create Your Cleaning Solution

For an effective and chemical-free cleaning solution, combine 1/2 cup of baking soda with enough dish soap to create a paste. If needed, you can double the recipe to make more solution.

Step 4: Soak the Filters

Pour the cleaning solution paste into the hot water and mix it in thoroughly. Submerge the filters in the solution and allow them to soak for 10 to 15 minutes.

Step 5: Scrub with a Non-Abrasive Brush

After the soaking time has elapsed, remove the hood filter from the solution and scrub it thoroughly using a non-abrasive cleaning brush. This should help remove excess filth and grease. If necessary, you can re-soak the filter and scrub again.

Step 6: Rinse and Dry

Once you are satisfied with the cleaning, rinse the filter with water to remove any remaining cleaning solution and dirt. Then, let the filter dry completely.

Step 7: Reinstall

When the filters are clean and dry, reinstall them back into the exhaust hood system.

By cleaning your filters regularly, they should remain relatively easy to maintain. However, if grease and dirt build up to a point where thorough cleaning becomes challenging, consider replacing the filters. We recommend cleaning your hood filters every 6 to 8 weeks, which should be part of your routine maintenance, especially when you engage professional hood cleaning services.

About HoodMart

HoodMart provides a wide range of exhaust hood systems, including Compensating (Short Cycle) and Perforated Supply Plenum (PSP), as well as essential accessories like no-weld grease ducts, hood filters, canopy hood lights, and curbs. We also offer a variety of walk-in refrigeration systems to meet your specific needs.

If you have any questions about purchasing your hood system or need expert advice, don't hesitate to reach out to our team. You can contact us at 1.855.334.8563 or use our convenient live chat system. We're here to ensure your kitchen stays clean, safe, and efficient with top-notch exhaust hood solutions.