Exhaust & Hood Cleaning
CERTIFIED HOOD AND EXHAUST SYSTEM CLEANING SERVICES FOR BUFFALO & ROCHESTER, NY
Our technicians are certified in NFPA 96, NFPA 10 and NFPA 17-A for your peace of mind. We offer thorough and effective restaurant exhaust hood cleaning services for Buffalo, NY and Rochester, NY to ensure that your exhaust system is working properly and safely.
If it’s not cleaned regularly, things like grease, grime and other residue can block the airways in your exhaust system, leading to a buildup of smoke, unhealthy breathing conditions and inefficient air flow. Our team will make sure your entire system, from the hood and everything in between, is spotlessly clean. To get started, give us a call today and learn more about our exhaust hood cleaning services.
Maintaining a clean and efficient restaurant hood system is essential for ensuring a safe and healthy kitchen environment. Over time, grease, oil, and grime can accumulate in the exhaust system, creating potential fire hazards and reducing airflow, which can lead to unpleasant odors and unhealthy air quality. Regular professional cleaning of the exhaust hood and its components helps not only to remove this buildup but also ensures compliance with National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) guidelines, which outline specific cleaning frequencies based on cooking volume and methods. By keeping your hood system in top condition, you promote better airflow, reduce risks associated with grease buildup, and create a safer workspace for kitchen staff.
Why Regular Exhaust System Cleaning Matters
The National Fire Protection Association reports that cooking equipment is the leading cause of fires in restaurants and eating/drinking establishments. The majority of those fires start when accumulated grease in the exhaust system ignites from the heat generated during normal cooking operations.
Here’s what happens when grease builds up inside your exhaust system:
Fire risk increases dramatically. Grease is a combustible material. When it coats the interior of your ductwork and gets exposed to high temperatures, it can ignite. A grease fire inside an exhaust duct spreads fast, can reach the roof, and is extremely difficult to contain once it gets going.
Your kitchen ventilation suffers. Clogged filters and grease-lined ductwork restrict airflow. That means smoke lingers in the kitchen, cooking odors get trapped, the cooking line runs hotter than it should, and your exhaust fan has to work harder to pull air through the system. All of that adds up to an uncomfortable, less efficient workspace.
You fall out of code compliance. NFPA 96 is enforced by fire marshals in New York State as part of the fire code. If your exhaust system is found to have excessive grease buildup during an inspection, you could face fines, mandatory closures until the system is cleaned, or issues with your insurance coverage.
Insurance premiums can go up. Many commercial property and business insurance policies include provisions about kitchen exhaust maintenance. If you can’t show documentation that your hood system is being cleaned on a regular schedule, your insurer may raise your rates or decline to cover a kitchen fire claim.
Our Cleaning Process Step by Step
1. Prep and Protection
Before we touch anything, we cover your cooking equipment, floors, and surrounding areas with protective sheeting. Commercial kitchen exhaust cleaning involves water, degreaser, and loose grease, and we make sure none of it ends up on your prep surfaces or equipment.
2. Filter Removal and Soak
We pull all the grease filters from the hood and set them up to soak in a degreasing solution while we work on the rest of the system. By the time we’re done with the ductwork, the filters are clean and ready to reinstall.
3. Hood Canopy and Plenum Cleaning
Using scrapers and commercial degreasers, we work through the interior of the hood canopy and plenum. This is hands-on work that requires getting into every corner, lip, and joint where grease tends to hide. We clean until the metal surface is visible and free of any greasy or carbonized residue.
4. Ductwork Cleaning
We access the ductwork through installed access panels and clean the interior from the plenum connection to the rooftop fan. In long or complex duct runs, we work section by section to make sure nothing gets missed. If your ductwork is missing access panels in key locations, we’ll note that in our report and can install additional panels to make future cleanings more thorough and efficient.
5. Rooftop Fan Service
We hinge or remove the exhaust fan, clean all interior surfaces and blades, and inspect the fan belt, bearings, and motor for signs of wear. The fan sits at the top of the system and takes a beating from both grease deposits and weather exposure. Keeping it clean and mechanically sound is essential for proper airflow and system longevity.
6. Reassembly and Final Check
Once every component has been cleaned, we reinstall the filters, close access panels, and make sure the system is reassembled correctly. We run the fan to verify proper airflow and do a walkthrough of the kitchen to confirm everything is back in place.
7. Documentation
You receive a signed service report detailing what was cleaned, the condition of each component, any deficiencies or recommendations, and a certificate of compliance. This paperwork stays on file for fire marshal inspections and insurance documentation.
NFPA 96 Cleaning Frequency Guidelines
NFPA 96 provides a cleaning frequency table based on the type and volume of cooking in your kitchen. Here’s a general breakdown:
| Type of Cooking Operation | Recommended Cleaning Frequency |
|---|---|
| Solid fuel cooking (wood, charcoal, mesquite) | Monthly |
| High-volume cooking (24-hour restaurants, fast food, heavy grease production) | Quarterly |
| Moderate-volume cooking (sit-down restaurants, standard dinner service) | Semi-annually |
| Low-volume cooking (churches, seasonal kitchens, day camps, senior centers) | Annually |
Keep in mind that your fire marshal or insurance carrier may require more frequent cleaning based on the specific conditions of your kitchen. We can help you determine the right schedule based on your operation and cooking volume.
Who Needs Commercial Exhaust Hood Cleaning?
Any commercial kitchen that operates a Type I hood over grease-producing cooking equipment is required to have the exhaust system cleaned on a regular schedule. This includes:
- Restaurants (full-service, casual, fine dining)
- Fast food and quick-service chains
- Pizza shops with convection or deck ovens
- Diners and 24-hour breakfast establishments
- Catering kitchens and event venues
- Hotel and resort kitchens
- Hospital cafeterias and dietary departments
- School and university dining facilities
- Nursing homes and assisted living kitchens
- Corporate office cafeterias
- Food trucks and mobile cooking units
- Brewery taproom kitchens
- Church and community center kitchens
If your kitchen has a hood above a grill, fryer, charbroiler, oven, wok station, or any equipment that produces grease-laden vapors, you need regular exhaust cleaning to stay safe and compliant.
Signs Your Exhaust System Needs Cleaning Now
Sometimes the schedule says you’re not due for a cleaning yet, but the system is telling you otherwise. Watch for these warning signs:
- Visible grease dripping from the hood canopy or filter tracts
- Grease stains running down walls or collecting on surfaces near the hood
- A strong, persistent greasy smell in the kitchen or dining area
- Smoke that doesn’t clear quickly when cooking at high heat
- The exhaust fan sounds louder than usual or seems to be struggling
- Grease pooling on the rooftop around the exhaust fan
- A fire inspector or health inspector has noted the system condition
If you’re seeing any of these signs, call us at 716-650-5071 to schedule a cleaning. It’s better to address it proactively than to wait for a failed inspection or, worse, a fire.
Serving Buffalo, Rochester, and All of Western New York
The Hood Guys Inc. provides commercial kitchen exhaust hood cleaning throughout the Buffalo and Rochester metro areas and the communities in between. We serve restaurants and commercial kitchens in Cheektowaga, Tonawanda, Amherst, Williamsville, West Seneca, Lackawanna, Hamburg, Orchard Park, Depew, Lancaster, Henrietta, Greece, Irondequoit, Webster, Penfield, Pittsford, Brighton, Gates, Chili, Victor, Batavia, and many more WNY towns and villages.
Ready to Get Your Kitchen Up to Code?
Call The Hood Guys Inc. today or fill out our online form to request a quote. We serve restaurants, commercial kitchens, and food service operations throughout Buffalo, Rochester, and all of Western New York.