A restaurant owner implements many maintenance procedures to keep their commercial kitchen up to code, such as disinfecting surfaces, cleaning underneath the cooler, and dusting ceiling fans. Regular kitchen exhaust hood cleaning can be easy to overlook, but it’s vital to not only the operation of your kitchen but its safety.

It’s critical to have your hood scrubbed regularly by a commercial cleaning service like PWC The People Who Clean, a Honolulu business that provides services throughout Hawaii. The National Fire Protection Agency requires all commercial kitchens to undergo professional exhaust hood cleaning. Failure to do so not only compromises cleanliness and increases fire risk but can result in major fines and mandatory restaurant closure.

Exhaust hoods are essential in commercial kitchens for the protection of employees and the restaurant, helping to pull heat, smoke, and odors away from cooking surfaces. When grease builds up in the exhaust ducts and vents, it decreases ventilation and creates an environment conducive to a fire.

During the kitchen exhaust hood cleaning process, all filters, parts, and accessories are degreased and damaged parts are replaced. The exhaust fans also are inspected for loose parts, worn out belts, and other problems that should be fixed.

The frequency of kitchen exhaust hood cleaning depends on the type of equipment you have in your restaurant. Busy solid fuel cooking operations should have their hood cleaned once a month, while day camps, churches, and seasonal businesses can conduct annual cleanings. To maintain your hood between professional cleaning appointments, instruct employees on how to remove grease from the exterior surfaces as part of their opening or closing procedures.

PWC The People Who Clean has been in business for nearly 44 years, offering residential and commercial cleaning services on every island in Hawaii. They have the knowledge to conduct kitchen hood exhaust cleaning that keeps your restaurant or food service business safe. With almost 400 employees statewide, they offer many other valuable house cleaning and janitorial services, including pressure washing and floor restoration. View their full list of services online and call (808) 521-6307 to request a free estimate.