The San Diego Kitchen Exhaust Cleaners Association (SDKECA) has published in its official website what clients can expect during a, exhaust cleaning service. The SDKECA says they decided to publish such guide in the hopes of protecting restaurant owners and commercial kitchen operators against kitchen exhaust cleaning scams.

 

“We want the customers to know what to expect, what type of service should be rendered, and more or less how they can be sure if their range hood and exhaust system has been perfectly cleaned. Of course they are not professionals and some new restaurant owners may not even be familiar with what to watch out for hence we came up with this guide,” explains Keith Brady, President of the (SDKECA).

 

Brady says the first step is usually the cleaning of the kitchen and covering of kitchen equipment with a tarpaulin. This tarp will protect the kitchen equipment from grease, and other chemicals used in thoroughly cleaning the vents, exhaust and the range hood. This also avoids messing up the kitchen from the liquids that could possibly splatter due to the cleaning procedure. The grease contaminated liquid or water shall be caught by the funnel-shaped tarp that catches the water that flows due to the range hood cleaning procedure. Enough buckets will be put in place to ensure that these will be caught and will not drain on the floors.

 

Once everything has been covered, Brady says the kitchen is prepared by turning off the gas lines, as well as other appliances in the kitchen and even the pilot lights within. This is to prevent possible accidents that could take place while the cleaning procedure is ongoing. 

 

After preparing the kitchen the filters will then be soaked in a special degreasing solution to remove build ups and thoroughly clean them. The soaking may take a couple of hours depending on the grease and debris that it has caught within its filter.

 

While the filter is being soaked, the duct itself will be sprayed with cleaning and degreasing chemicals to soften the debris and remove the grease build up. The solution will be left in the duct for at least half an hour to activate the solution and remove the grease and debris.

 

After 30 minutes the entire duct work and hood will be washed using a pressurized cleaner that has a cleaning solution that effectively removes debris and dirt build up. Hot water pressure is used to totally clean all components up to the smallest part. All these are done by hand, as scraping should be manually done to ensure utmost cleanliness. The fan belt, filters, will then be replaced and a photograph will be taken within the duct work to be given to the owner to assure him of the condition of the ductwork following the extensive cleaning procedure. HACCP Food Safety Standards

 

The duct and the whole equipment will then be tested and inspected by a fire protection contractor, and once it passes inspection it will be given a certification sticker to prove to safety and health authorities that it has been properly cleaned by an accredited exhaust cleaning company.

 

The SDKECA says this procedure should be done on a bi-annual basis to comply with federal and state standards for food, fire, and occupational safety.

 

FilterShine San Diego Hood & Exhaust Cleaning
13515 Ridley Rd, San Diego, CA 92129
619-846-2872
https://hoodandfiltercleaning.com/

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