Commercial Hood Cleaning Questions and Answers

A complete commercial hood cleaning conversation usually covers the hood canopy, filters, plenum, accessible ductwork, rooftop fan, grease containment, access panels, kitchen protection, cleanup, and before-and-after documentation.

Hood cleaning is often used as a shorthand, but kitchen exhaust cleaning should follow the grease path from the visible hood to filters, duct access, fan, and grease containment. Ask which parts are included before scheduling.

Compare what each estimate includes, not just the price. Ask whether the estimate covers the hood, filters, plenum, ducts, rooftop fan, grease containment, cleanup, reports, photos, and service stickers.

Photos can help with an initial range, especially for hood count, filter condition, access, and fan setup. A final quote may still depend on site conditions and buildup discovered during service.

Frequency depends on cooking volume, fuel type, menu, grease load, and inspection expectations. Solid-fuel cooking often needs the shortest interval, while seasonal or low-volume kitchens may have longer intervals. Use the frequency estimator on the NFPA 96 page, then confirm the right schedule for your kitchen.

Keep invoices, before-and-after photos, cleaning reports, service stickers or labels, technician notes, and inspection-related correspondence in one place so a manager can find them quickly.

A hood cleaning sticker or service label is usually left after service to show when cleaning happened and who performed it. Ask what information appears on the sticker, where it will be placed, and what report or photos come with it.

Evening or overnight scheduling is common for commercial kitchen exhaust work, but availability varies. Call to ask what windows are realistic for your restaurant and how long the kitchen may need to be offline.

Have the restaurant location, hood count, hood length, cooking style, last cleaning date, rooftop access notes, inspection concerns, and preferred timing ready. Photos of the hood, filters, access panels, and rooftop fan can speed up the conversation.

Confirm final scope, credentials, insurance, price range, service window, kitchen downtime, photo documentation, cleaning report, service stickers, and whether heavy buildup or access issues can change the final bill.