The exhaust hood system in your kitchen is designed to help improve the quality of the air in the kitchen. It does this generally by using an exhaust fan to expel common air pollutants such as smoke, grease, odors, and chemicals out of the kitchen. When the exhaust hood system runs correctly it has many great benefits including clearer air, cleaner kitchen surfaces and appliances, and a safer work environment. But what happens if the exhaust system fails?

The exhaust hood system is generally comprised of the hood unit, ductwork, and an exhaust fan set up. The system is constantly pulling grease, dirt, smoke, and other particles that can lead to buildups through the ductwork. Because the ductwork and inner components are sight unseen it is easy to forget or ignore them. What can then happen is a buildup of all of these particles and these buildups can lead to ductwork blockages which then can lead to the exhaust system having to work extra hard to keep pulling out the polluted air, and the extra work leads to more wear and tear and the eventual breakdown of the system. Particle buildups can also cause appliance components to get damaged, and even lead to poor air quality for kitchen staff and grease buildups that can pose potential dangers such as kitchen staff slipping on the slippery grease floors or even grease fires.

There are tell-tale signs to look for that could suggest it’s time to clean the exhaust hood system. If there is visible dirt or grease showing on the exterior of the exhaust hood system, canopy, or ductwork it is probably due for a cleaning. If the smoke, odors, and other air particles do not seem to be cleared out of the kitchen properly it may mean that a blockage is occurring. If the fan motor or belt seem to noticeably louder than usual it could be an indicator that the system is working harder than usual and may be experience some sort of blockage.

So how often should an exhaust hood deep cleaning be scheduled? If the kitchen is in use 12-16+ hours per day then a deep cleaning may be required every quarter (3 months). For a medium use kitchen - say 6 -12 hours of operation per day - a deep cleaning every 6 months should be sufficient. Light use kitchens that are only used 2 - 6 hours per day should be fine with a yearly deep cleaning as long as the food being cooked is not overly greasy.

Regularly scheduled deep cleanings are the best way to ensure long lasting operation of your exhaust hood system. A clean system helps reduce the risk of fire in the kitchen, increases the quality of the air in the kitchen, reduces the need for repairs and maintenance, increases the energy efficiency of the kitchen as a whole, and allows for easier general cleaning and maintenance in the long term. HoodMart provides our customers with a wide range of exhaust hood systems - from Compensating (Short Cycle) to Perforated Supply Plenum PSP - as well as all exhaust hood accessories such as no weld Grease Duct, hood filters, canopy hood lights, and curbs. If you still have questions regarding the purchase of your hood system, please feel free to contact one of our experts today by calling us at 1.800.715.1014 or by contacting us through our live chat system.