A properly function exhaust hood system is imperative to a high operating commercial kitchen space. The components that make up an exhaust hood system require maintenance and cleaning, but if you keep up with these items you can expect a long life span for the exhaust hood, fan, supply fan, and other parts of the system. Regular cleaning and twice a year extensive cleanings help prolong the life of exhaust hood systems by keeping the components clean and free from contaminants that can damage the components, cause them to work overtime, and other situations that could cause damage to the equipment. Unfortunately one part of the exhaust hood system that often gets neglected, since it is not a piece of heavy equipment, is the ductwork - but leaving the ductwork uncleaned and not maintained can be devastating.

The ductwork of your exhaust hood system may not seem as important as the hoods or a fan, however the ductwork is the tunnel that exhausted and replaced air travels through. If the ductwork is damaged or is not cleaned regularly it could lead to severe problems with your exhaust hood system. If damage or build up becomes bad enough it can restrict the airway, and that can cause damage to all aspects of the exhaust hood system. If air is restricted the fans have to work harder to pull out air, causing excessive wear and tear on the components and could eventually lead to expensive repairs and catastrophic failures. An even more serious concern with buildup in unclean ductwork is grease buildup. An exhaust hood sys...