How to Clean and Maintain Your Residential or Commercial Kitchen Hoods

With the price of homes in Jacksonville increasing and many upgrades being made to kitchens with newly installed appliances, more and more homes are being equipped with gas ranges and ventilation hooded systems. Commercial kitchens have for many years been equipped with gas ranges and commercial appliances requiring a hood or proper ventilation systems. But for many homeowners having to deal with these types of systems has been limited to upscale homes until recently. Homes and condominiums are being upgraded to gas and with these features, proper ventilation is required before the gas company can even install gas lines to the appliances.

At ESI, Emergency Systems Inc. we are a commercial, as well as a residential security alarm company in Jacksonville fl and, have been installing fire suppression, water sprinkler systems for years in commercial properties and high-end residential homes. Today more than ever before, even moderately priced homes are being upgraded due to the real estate market and we are now been asked to supply sprinkler systems for homes as never before.

Our online articles published bi-monthly, are intended to answer any questions about security-related products and services and this forum gives us a chance to answer many more questions homeowners have about specific products related to protectionary devices. This month we are discussing kitchen hoods and motorized ventilation systems.

Kitchen Hoods and Ventilation Systems-Do’s and Don’ts

We at ESI understand your kitchen hood could easily be overlooked when cleaning your kitchen and appliances. However, this is an area you definitely need to clean to keep your home safe from excess grease buildup, germs, bacteria, and fire hazards. Kitchen ventilation hoods can be easily cleaned if you make a regular habit of it and stay up on the amount of grease buildup you are incurring based on the way you cook and the amount of use your gas range gets. Although cleaning these hoods will require harsher chemicals than your regular surface cleaner use, these products are readily available. Additionally, depending on what type of ventilation product you have, you can easily clean or replace the hood’s filter on a less frequent basis if the cleaning becomes a regular event.

How often should your kitchen range hood be cleaned?

For homeowners who use their gas appliances daily, the inside and outside of the hood, and the filter should be cleaned at least bi-monthly. If you go out to dinner more often and aren’t a frequent chef, seasonal cleaning might suffice depending on what you cook when you do. Cleaning the filter and hood before preparing a holiday feast might be in your best interest.

As the fan motor creates suction and draws the smoke and grease particulates up, they will cling to the surfaces of the hood and filter. Cleaning is an essential part of keeping the hood and filter operating properly and if a grease buildup is allowed to accumulate it could ignite a fire. Pots or pans left on stoves can develop flames high enough to ignite greasy range hoods and filters.

Cleaning Air Filters-Troubleshooting the Ventilation

A proven way to test that the ventilation motor is working properly is to cut a small square of newspaper and hold it over the vent. If the newspaper is sucked up and held in place, your ventilation hood is working fine.

There are two kinds of filters used in these ventilation products, metal and/or charcoal filters. These kinds of filters are designed to be easily removed for cleaning and/or replacement.

Simply remove the metal filter as recommended by the manufacturer and completely cover the filter with a degreasing solution and warm soapy water. After cleaning make sure the filter is completely dry before replacing it.

If you have a charcoal filter system the removal process is the same but the filter needs to be replaced and cannot be cleaned as the metal filter can.

Cleaning the range hood 

Make sure the unit is turned off and use a non-abrasive degreasing spray to clean. Try not to spray the light bulb or any other electrical component.

Cleaning the vent 

Check the vent leading from your hood to the outside on an annual basis. If you follow these simple instructions and keep your filters clean then the vent will have limited grease build-up. If not, grease building up in this part of your vent will need to have a professional cleaning service removed.

Cleaning the fan motor

The fan motor should be examined when you do your check-ups. Sometimes the motor blower wheel collects dirt and grease and will need to be cleaned with a degreaser.

Why Choose ESI for All Your Security Needs?

We have been a residential and commercial security alarm company serving Jacksonville and the surrounding communities since 1979. We are experienced in designing any type of security shield needed to protect any type of structure or dwelling. Give us a call at 904-388-3975 for a free evaluation of your building’s requirements and needs. Visit our website @ Getesi.com for a complete list of our products and services.