The importance of hood filters in commercial kitchens is evident from the NFPA data report from 2012 in which it was stated that 1 in 5 restaurant fires were partially due to lack of proper cleaning. You must understand that a restaurant kitchen is not like the residential kitchen but rather it functions at a massive level. It produces food at a much higher volume using large scale equipment, and appliances such as hoods, ducts, and grease filters. If grease is allowed to build up in them, you end up creating a fire hazard.
In order to prevent fires, you shouldn’t be negligent with regards to cleaning grease traps, filters and exhaust fans. Due to a high volume of grease produced, the appliances become clogged overnight. Grease collecting on the surface of countertops, cooking appliances and kitchen walls is also an unhealthy sign and reflects poorly on the restaurant’s concern for hygiene.
Hood filters keep commercial kitchens functional by pulling smoke, odor and airborne grease into the filter and ventilating it. This helps clear the air. The filter traps grease and other particles and enables the vent to pull the smoke through. The filter also collects moisture from steams to reduce the negative effects of it.
Properly functioning commercial hood filters also protect your work environment from harmful air pollutants that generate from the use of gas/electric range. Filters function as adequate ventilation systems with tools that actively clear the air. A clean and fresh environment also improves productivity in employees.
Over the course of time, the filter accumulates too much grease and particles to continue functioning properly. This leads to adverse effects such as your smoke alarms going off constantly due to an inadequate removal of smoke, the food particles attracting pests such as cockroaches, and bad odors releasing into the air. More importantly, grease can also block fire suppression systems such as sprinklers by collecting inside their holes. Grease can also raise maintenance expenses by staining the walls for too long. It takes vigorous scrubbing to get rid of this grease, which results in chipped and faded paint on the walls.
Grease filters are designed for easy cleaning. In fact with advancements in the field of hood and exhaust filters, many filters now come equipped with self efficient features. These filters are capable of trapping 98% of the grease before it passes through the hood and the ductwork. This allows the hood and the duct to stay clean for longer periods. Reduced maintenance also means less time needs to be spent on cleaning and servicing. If you always seek professional cleaning assistance, you can save money on that as well.
Good quality grease filters are essential commodities that every commercial kitchen should incorporate. Depending on the design and efficiency of a hood filter, a proficient one would pass the strictest health and safety test. Also, a good grease filter reduces the number of times cleaning is required. Typically, there are four scheduled cleanings in a year, this can be brought down to just two cleanings wa year, if you’re using a highly effective filter.
