How to clean a stainless steel commercial hood
Rigorous maintenance of stainless steel commercial, industrial and institutional range and oven hoods is essential. It’s a matter not only of cleanliness and hygiene but also of safety. The fact is that a clogged hood can significantly reduce the air quality in the kitchen, and the accumulated grime can become highly combustible, making it a fire hazard.
Despite the numerous advantages and undeniable esthetic qualities of stainless steel, it can prove to be difficult to maintain. Grease stains, fingerprints and scratches, among other things, can quickly tarnish its luster.
Here are some tips to help you keep your hood spic and span!
How to clean your stainless steel hood
If your hood hasn’t been cleaned in ages, the accumulated grease may be extremely sticky and difficult to remove. But with the right products, it’s possible to get rid of it! The first thing to do is to turn off the hood and wait until it cools. After taking out the filter and other removable parts, it’s time to perform a deep cleaning.
For best results, here’s a tried-and-true solution:
- Once the equipment arrives, get ready to set it up.
- Remove the hood filters.
- Apply a cleaning product to the hood and let it soak in for several minutes. Reapply, if necessary.
- Pressure rinse with hot water. This step is very important, as it will remove most of the accumulated grease from the hood.
- Wipe down the inside of the hood by hand.
- Polish the outside of the hood.
- When cleaning the hood, open the duct access ports and clean all of the accessible parts.
- Clean the fan at the top of the hood and, while you’re at it, make sure it’s working properly.
- Once the major cleaning is finished, pick up everything and you’re good to go! You’re ready to enjoy the benefits of your freshly cleaned hood!
The importance of replacing the filters
Proper hood maintenance includes regularly cleaning and maintaining the filters. This is particularly true in the case of hoods in commercial kitchens, in which the filters should be cleaned at least once a month, especially if a high volume of food is prepared.
But like any other material, filters are subject to wear and tear, so they’ll eventually need to be replaced. Hanging on to filthy, worn or poor-quality filters can impair the functioning of the hood, the quality of the air and the safety of the premises.
Your range hood is in good hands
There are companies that specialize in cleaning range and oven hoods. Would you like to have access to the services of a specialist to maintain your commercial hood? Antiflamme Purafiltre offers environmentally friendly cleaning services that are fully compliant with the safety regulations of the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA). To keep your hood functioning optimally, it’s also recommended to have it inspected at least twice a year as a preventive measure.
