How to Clean Restaurant Oven Hoods

Restaurant oven hoods can quickly accumulate greasy and dusty residue. Even in restaurants that don't do a lot of oven cooking or frying, grease can quickly envelop the interior of the hood and mix with common dust to create a sticky substance that can clog exhaust openings and create flammable conditions. Many companies offer oven hood cleaning but these companies have been known for high rates and sometimes incomplete cleanings. With regular maintenance, oven range hoods can be cleaned by kitchen staff, which can save hundreds of dollars a year.

Difficulty: Moderate

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Nylon scrub pads
• Dish soap
• Water
• Dishwasher (optional)
• Powdered cleaner (optional)
• Degreaser
• Soft nylon brush
• Clean, lint-free towels

Filters and Pans

1. Take down exhaust filters and grease pans. Dump any dripping liquid grease into trash or appropriate grease receptacle.

2. Wipe interior and exterior of filters and pans with a damp paper towel to loosen grease and debris.

3. Apply dish soap liberally to the exterior of the exhaust and pans. Scrub with a wet nylon scrub pan, inside and out, using circular motions to loosen grease.

4. Wash the filter and pans well with clear water. Dust the surfaces with powdered cleaner, and scrub well with the nylon scrub pad.

5. Clean the components well with water to avoid mixing chemicals. Spray the filter and pan with degreaser, and wipe them to remove any residual grease.

6. Rinse the components again. Run the range hood pieces through a dishwasher, if possible, to clean and sanitize.

7. Dry thoroughly before putting components back into the hood.

Cleaning the Hood

8. Clean the hood with a nylon scrub pad, hot water and dish soap, scrubbing the exterior of the hood first. Scrub metal walls of the hood in a small circular motion.

9. Wipe down the interior of the hood with a damp rag to remove soapy residue. Allow to dry.

10. Scrub the pipes inside the hood with warm soapy water. Be careful to avoid any joints or tags, as these are important and required for safety inspections.

11. Wipe down pipes with damp rag and dry well, as water left to dry can cause water spots and rust.

12. Spray pipes and interior of the hood with degreaser, and quickly wipe down with a wet rag and dry with a towel.

Tips & Warnings

• Ensure that hood cleaning does not void warranties by checking with installers for preferred methods of cleaning. Ask for referrals to cleaning services if warranties prevent in-house cleaning. Keep a daily or weekly schedule for cleaning to prevent the hood from getting too dirty. Regular maintenance will prevent grease from sticking.
• Use care to rinse between uses of chemical cleaners. Mixture of some cleaners can cause harmful fumes. Be careful when scrubbing hood components as they are easily marred.

References

• Commercial Cleaning Practices