COMMERCIAL HOOD CLEANING GUIDE • ATLANTA
What Does Commercial Hood Cleaning Include?
Commercial hood cleaning can involve much more than wiping down the
visible canopy above the cooking equipment. A commercial kitchen
exhaust system may include the hood, grease-removal devices or filters,
ductwork, exhaust fan and other grease-affected components.
Understanding what may be included in a professional cleaning helps
restaurant owners, facility managers and commercial kitchen operators
ask better questions, compare service scopes and understand which parts
of the exhaust system require attention.
Quick Answer
Commercial hood cleaning may include cleaning grease and cooking
residue from the kitchen hood, grease-removal devices or filters,
accessible exhaust ductwork, exhaust fans and other contaminated
components of the kitchen exhaust system.
The exact work performed depends on the system, its accessibility,
grease accumulation and the agreed service scope. A customer should
confirm the complete cleaning scope with the service professional
before work begins.
THE COMPLETE EXHAUST SYSTEM
Commercial Hood Cleaning Can Extend Beyond the Visible Hood
The hood is the most visible part of a commercial kitchen exhaust
system, but grease-laden vapors do not necessarily stop there.
Air, smoke and grease can move from the cooking area through the hood
and into other parts of the exhaust system.
This is why the scope of a commercial kitchen exhaust-cleaning job may
extend beyond the surfaces that can be seen from inside the kitchen.
Depending on the system and its condition, attention may also be needed
around grease-removal devices, ductwork and the exhaust fan.
The International Kitchen Exhaust Cleaning Association (IKECA)
describes complete kitchen exhaust cleaning as addressing the system
from the hood in the kitchen through to the fan on the roof.
If you need service in Metro Atlanta, explore our
commercial hood cleaning in Atlanta
service page.
WHAT MAY BE CLEANED
Parts of a Commercial Kitchen Exhaust System That May Need Cleaning
Every commercial kitchen exhaust system is different, but the
following components are commonly relevant when determining the
scope of a professional cleaning.
01
Commercial Kitchen Hood
The hood or canopy sits above the cooking equipment and captures
heat, smoke, vapors and airborne grease generated during cooking.
Accessible interior and exterior hood surfaces can accumulate
grease and cooking residue and may form part of the cleaning scope.
02
Grease Filters & Grease-Removal Devices
Filters and other grease-removal devices are designed to capture
grease before it travels farther into the exhaust system.
These components can accumulate grease quickly and should be
considered when assessing the overall condition of a commercial
kitchen exhaust system.
03
Hood Plenum & Internal Areas
Areas behind the filters and within the hood assembly may also
become contaminated by grease-laden vapors.
Accessibility and system design can affect which internal areas
can be reached and cleaned during service.
04
Exhaust Ductwork
Grease can travel beyond the hood and accumulate inside exhaust
ducts. The amount and location of buildup can depend on cooking
activity, system design and previous maintenance.
Learn more about
hood and duct cleaning in Atlanta →
05
Exhaust Fan
The exhaust fan moves air through the system and may be located on
the roof or elsewhere depending on the kitchen design.
Fan blades, housings and accessible surrounding areas can collect
grease and may require cleaning as part of the overall service.
06
Other Grease-Affected Components
Additional accessible components associated with the exhaust
system may require attention when grease or oily residue has
accumulated.
The service professional should determine which contaminated
components are accessible and included in the agreed scope.
FOLLOW THE GREASE PATH
Think of the Exhaust System as One Connected System
A useful way to understand commercial kitchen exhaust cleaning is to
follow the path taken by grease-laden vapors:
Because these components are connected, visible cleanliness at the
hood does not by itself tell you the condition of less-visible parts
of the exhaust system.
PROFESSIONAL CLEANING PROCESS
What Can Happen During Commercial Hood Cleaning?
The exact process varies according to the contractor, system,
accessibility and condition of the equipment. However, a commercial
kitchen exhaust-cleaning service can involve several stages.
1. Assessing the System
The service professional may first assess accessible portions of the
hood and exhaust system to identify grease accumulation, system layout,
access requirements and the expected cleaning scope.
2. Preparing the Kitchen
Cooking equipment and surrounding kitchen areas may need to be
protected before cleaning begins. Depending on the work being
performed, equipment may also need to be shut down or otherwise
prepared safely.
3. Cleaning Grease-Affected Surfaces
Different methods may be used depending on the surface and condition.
NFPA technical material identifies methods including manual cleaning,
chemical cleaning, pressure washing and steam cleaning as approaches
that may be used for grease-contaminated surfaces.
4. Addressing Accessible Exhaust Components
Cleaning may continue through accessible portions of the exhaust
system, including relevant hood areas, grease-removal devices,
ductwork and fan components, depending on the agreed scope.
5. Post-Cleaning Review
After cleaning, the contractor may review the serviced areas and
provide documentation or other information about the work performed,
depending on the contractor and service agreement.
HOOD CLEANING VS EXHAUST CLEANING
Is Hood Cleaning the Same as Kitchen Exhaust Cleaning?
The terms are sometimes used interchangeably in everyday
conversation, but the wording can create confusion.
A limited service might focus primarily on visible hood surfaces,
while broader commercial kitchen exhaust cleaning can involve
multiple connected components throughout the exhaust system.
For that reason, restaurant owners and facility managers should
ask exactly which components are included in a quote rather than
assuming that every service described as “hood cleaning” covers
the same areas.
Explore our guide to
kitchen exhaust cleaning in Atlanta →
Questions to Ask Before Booking
- Is the hood included?
- Are grease filters or grease-removal devices included?
- Is accessible ductwork included?
- Is the exhaust fan included?
- Which areas are excluded from the quote?
- Are there accessibility limitations?
- Will I receive documentation of the completed work?
- Is this a one-time or recurring service?
RESTAURANT HOOD CLEANING
What About Restaurant Hood Cleaning?
Restaurants can produce substantial amounts of grease-laden vapor,
particularly where cooking volumes are high or grease-producing
cooking methods are used frequently.
The same basic principle applies: the visible restaurant hood is part
of a larger exhaust system. The cleaning requirements can depend on
cooking activity, grease accumulation, equipment, exhaust-system
configuration and the condition of individual components.
Restaurant operators in Metro Atlanta can learn more on our
Restaurant Hood Cleaning Atlanta
page.
CLEANING FREQUENCY
How Often Should the Exhaust System Be Cleaned?
There is no single cleaning interval that applies identically to every
commercial kitchen. Cooking volume, cooking methods, fuel type, menu,
operating schedule and grease accumulation can all affect the
condition of the exhaust system.
Inspection frequency and actual cleaning need are also not exactly the
same thing. Inspection helps determine whether grease contamination has
reached the point where cleaning is required.
We cover this subject separately in our detailed guide:
How Often Should a Commercial Kitchen Hood Be Cleaned? →
CHECK YOUR SERVICE SCOPE
What May Not Automatically Be Included?
Commercial kitchens vary considerably, and a cleaning quote should
not be assumed to include every possible component, repair or
maintenance task.
Areas that are inaccessible, require additional access work or
fall outside the agreed cleaning scope may need to be handled
separately.
Repairs, equipment replacement, fire-suppression-system servicing,
electrical work and other specialist services should not be assumed
to form part of a standard hood-cleaning job unless specifically
included by the service provider.
Before Approving a Quote
- Confirm exactly which components will be cleaned
- Ask whether the ductwork is included
- Ask whether the exhaust fan is included
- Identify inaccessible areas
- Confirm any exclusions
- Confirm pricing and additional charges
- Ask what documentation will be provided
COMMERCIAL HOOD CLEANING COST
Does the Cleaning Scope Affect the Price?
Yes. A larger or more complex exhaust system can require more work than
a smaller, easily accessible system.
Factors such as hood size, number of systems, ductwork, exhaust-fan
access, grease condition, accessibility and overall cleaning scope can
all affect the amount of work involved.
For more information, read our
Commercial Hood Cleaning Cost in Atlanta guide →
METRO ATLANTA
Request Commercial Hood Cleaning in Atlanta
If you operate a restaurant, hotel, school, healthcare kitchen,
cafeteria, church kitchen or another commercial food-service facility
in Metro Atlanta, Atlanta Kitchen Hood can help you submit your
requirements and connect with a hood-cleaning professional serving
your area.
Atlanta Kitchen Hood is a referral and connection service. The
independent service professional confirms the final cleaning scope,
availability, pricing and service arrangements directly with the
customer.
COMMERCIAL HOOD CLEANING FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
What does commercial hood cleaning include?
Depending on the exhaust system and agreed service scope,
commercial hood cleaning may involve the kitchen hood,
grease-removal devices or filters, accessible ductwork, exhaust
fans and other grease-affected exhaust-system components.
Does hood cleaning include the ductwork?
It can. Grease-laden vapors can travel beyond the visible hood and
into exhaust ductwork. Whether specific duct sections are included
depends on the system, accessibility and agreed service scope.
Does hood cleaning include the exhaust fan?
Exhaust fans are part of many commercial kitchen exhaust systems
and may require cleaning when contaminated with grease. Confirm
fan cleaning with the contractor when reviewing the service scope.
Is cleaning only the visible hood enough?
The condition of the visible hood does not necessarily show the
condition of the entire exhaust system. Grease may also accumulate
in filters, ductwork, fans and other connected components.
How often should commercial hood cleaning be done?
Cleaning needs vary according to cooking activity, system
condition and grease accumulation. Inspection schedules and actual
cleaning requirements should not be treated as exactly the same.
How much does commercial hood cleaning cost?
Pricing can depend on hood size, system count, ductwork,
exhaust-fan access, grease condition, accessibility and the overall
cleaning scope.
SOURCES & INDUSTRY STANDARDS
Sources Used for This Guide
This guide was developed using commercial kitchen exhaust-cleaning
guidance and standards information from recognized industry
organizations. Requirements can vary by property, system and authority
having jurisdiction, so property owners and operators should confirm
requirements applicable to their facility.
-
International Kitchen Exhaust Cleaning Association (IKECA) —
kitchen exhaust cleaning guidance and frequently asked questions. -
ANSI/IKECA C10-2021 —
Standard for the Methodology for Cleaning Commercial Kitchen
Exhaust Systems. -
NFPA 96 —
Standard for Ventilation Control and Fire Protection of Commercial
Cooking Operations.
NEED COMMERCIAL HOOD CLEANING?
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