Hoods

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 e...