How to Keep Your Commercial Kitchen Hood Properly Cleaned & Performing Its Best

Commercial hoods are among the most fundamental and important aspects of a commercial kitchen for many reasons. They are mandatory and their condition is monitored by municipalities and local fire departments. They’re also quite expensive, so it’s in the best interest of any business that operates a commercial hood to keep them clean and functioning optimally.

Commercial hoods are also often hard to reach (for cleaning purposes), and can’t be cleaned during business hours. Don’t be deterred by the degree of difficulty of maintaining such an integral part of your business – follow these tips to properly clean your commercial hood and keep it performing at its best:

1. Start With The Grease Receptacles

The first element of most commercial hoods that should be cleaned are the grease receptacles. Slide the receptacles out, empty any grease, and soak the parts in hot water mixed with a grease-cutting detergent. Make sure to wait to remove them until the hood has cooled down, and after cleaning, make sure the receptacles are dry before placing them back in the hood.

2. Regularly Clean The Filters

A commercial hood filter will likely also be greasy. If the filters are too greasy for a regular soaking, then add an appropriate amount of grease detergent to the hot water and regular detergent mix, and soak the filters. If there isn’t much grease, soaking the filters in hot water and regular detergent should do. After soaking, scrub off any remaining residue. If still dirty, run them in your dishwasher.

3. Clean The Hood’s Surfaces Every Night

Start by spraying on a healthy coat of degreaser, as even the hood’s outer surface will somehow become greasy over time. Wipe off the grease, or scrub with a nylon sponge if necessary. Don’t use metal scrapers or sponges with metal bristles, as they will damage your hood’s surface.

After degreasing, wipe the hood’s surface with a wet cloth, and follow up with another cycle of spraying the hood’s surfaces with metal-safe cleaning solution and wiping it clean.

4. Schedule Regular Maintenance With Experienced Professionals

Unless you’re a licensed commercial hood maintenance professional, there are some aspects of maintenance that are best left to the professionals, such as the cleaning of ducts and exhaust fans. Don’t neglect regularly scheduled maintenance for these aspects, because in the long run, the cost of major repairs or replacements for your commercial hood, or fines and penalties from your local village for not keeping your hood up to code, may add up to a lot more!

It should go without saying that cleaning and maintenance work should be performed when your hood is *off*. Apart from that, think about checking on the circuiting and electrical systems that your commercial hood is hooked up to so that during the course of its use, your hood isn’t over or under-powered and won’t incur any functional damage from it’s power source.