Your commercial kitchen is a world all its own. In one corner you might have chefs chopping away, preparing the night’s meal diligently. Just a short way away you might have a commercial walk-in cooler that’s keeping dessert on ice until it’s ready to be served. Let’s not forget about the fire from the grill and the clink of dishes in the sink as well! When everything is happening all at once, it’s truly a sight to behold.
With so much activity in your commercial kitchen, there’s ample opportunity for something to go wrong, however. In fact, it’s often the smallest of problems that causes the biggest of headaches. No, we’re not talking about a diner sending their plate back because it’s missing garnish—we’re actually talking about the debris buildups in kitchen exhaust systems in Delaware.
Breaking down the debris
Your kitchen exhaust systems exist to ensure your cooking area is void of anything that might be hazardous. They suck out smoke and haze, as well as contaminated air and just about anything else you might breathe in while you’re slaving away in front of a stove or grill. As a result, this contaminated air has to go somewhere—right into your ventilation system.
One byproduct of the cooking environment is grease and, believe it or not, grease is going to build up in your exhaust systems quickly, staying there until it’s manually cleaned out. The problem with grease, is that it’s a major fire hazard. If your exhaust system sucks up something burning in its attempt to keep your area clean and it catches a grease buildup, fire is inevitable.
Cleaning your exhaust
Cleaning your kitchen exhaust systems in Delaware is the most effective way to prevent grease fires from occurring. Unfortunately, this isn’t an easy task to accomplish and usually requires commercial-grade cleaners and equipment. Some of the essential products and methods used include:
- Caustic foam cleansing is a method of spraying a foam agent into your exhaust system so that it clings to the grease. The foam will work to break down the grease where it sticks.
- Scraping off and caustic foam or grease is a natural next step and will help to quickly remove any larger buildups from the system. This is a hazard in and of itself, however, because being confined in a vent while scraping debris can lead to inhalation. Masks and other protective gear are required.
- Pressure washing is used as a final step to strip off any remaining grease and foam, while clearing off microscopic debris that may have become embedded in the ductwork over time, including creosote.
Exhaust cleaning should be undertaken regularly, as your cleaning professional advises based on the use and setting of your system. At a minimum, annual cleaning is dictated by most jurisdictions, with more regular maintenance required for specific types of kitchens and systems.
Make sure you’re not leaving your kitchen vulnerable to the potential for fire! Seek cleaning and finishing for your kitchen exhaust systems in Delaware regularly.