Whether you own a food truck, manage a fast casual restaurant or oversee operations at a fine dining establishment, a well-maintained commercial kitchen hood system is crucial for ensuring a safe and efficient work environment. One of the key components of a commercial kitchen ventilation system is the hood filter. The hood filter plays a vital role in trapping grease and other contaminants as air is exhausted out through the hood. Regular cleaning of your grease filters not only keeps your kitchen free from smoke and odors, but also reduces the risk of fire hazards in your restaurant. In this blog post, we’ll introduce you to a few of the most tried and true hood filter cleaning products available at HoodFilters.com and share a few expert techniques to help you keep your hood filters in top-notch condition.
Effortless Hood Filter Cleaning with the DRIPLOC Heavy Duty Hood Filter Soak Cart
Keeping your commercial kitchen’s hood filters clean is essential for maintaining a safe and efficient work environment. One of the most convenient and effective ways to clean hood filters is by using a soak cart like the DRIPLOC Heavy Duty Hood Filter Soak Cart.
Features of the DRIPLOC Heavy Duty Hood Filter Soak Cart
DRIPLOC Soak Tanks are designed to provide a hassle-free cleaning solution for hood filters as well as other hard-to-clean items including pots and pans. Features include:
- Stainless steel “touchless immersion” rack for easy and safe cleaning
- Anodized aluminum support bars, heavy-duty rear axle, and commercial casters with non-marking wheels for durability and stability
- Fast-flush recessed drain valve for easy tank cleaning
- Molded from Polyethylene with a wall thickness of .250″, ensuring long-term strength and durability
Hood Filter Cleaning with the Hood Filter Soak Cart
The DRIPLOC Heavy Duty Hood Filter Soak Cart offers an effortless and effective way to clean your hood filters and other hard-to-clean items in your commercial kitchen. It makes it easy to maintain a safe, clean, and efficient work environment while prolonging the lifespan of your hood filters. Prepare the soak cart by filling the cart with hot water. Add the recommended amount of your chosen degreaser (usually 1 cup granular or 4 ounces of liquid per gallon of water). Make sure to follow the instructions on the cleaner’s label. Carefully remove the baffle grease filters from the exhaust hood, and use a clean paper towel to wipe off any excess grease.
Next, immerse your hood filters in the soak cart. Place the hood filters into the soak cart and ensure they are fully covered by the cleaning solution. Repeat this process for all remaining grease filters. Most people prefer to let the hood filters soak overnight before running them through the dish machine the next morning. However, you can choose a cleaning process that suits your schedule. When they are ready to take out, open the drain valve and let the tank drain into a floor or mop sink drain. After draining, remove the rack, turn the tank on its side, and use clean water to rinse any remaining soil into the drain. Then, close the drain valve, replace the rack, and refill the tank with water and cleaning solution for future use.
Gaylord G510EF Water Wash Hood Detergent – The Ultimate All-Purpose Cleaner
One of the most versatile and effective cleaning products we carry for tackling tough grease and burnt-on food is the Gaylord G510EF Water Wash Hood Detergent. While it is the only product recommended by Gaylord for use in their self-cleaning washdown hoods, this powerful detergent can be used with any brand and for a wide range of applications. The Gaylord G510EF Water Wash Hood Detergent is designed to handle pretty much anything your commercial kitchen can dish out, this all-purpose cleaner can be used on a variety of surfaces and appliances, including:
- Ovens
- Broilers
- Griddles
- Fryers
- Steamers
- Ranges
- Hoods
- Hood Filters
- Floors, walls, and worktops
Environmentally-Friendly and Safe for People
This powerful detergent is not only effective at hood cleaning but is also safe for both the environment and the people who use it. Its versatility, combined with its environmentally-friendly and safe formula, makes it a must-have cleaning solution for maintaining a spotless, efficient, and hygienic kitchen. The Gaylord G510EF formula contains no harmful chemicals, such as silicates, phosphates, sulfonates, nitrates, sulfates, or enzymes. It is also:
- Non-toxic
- Non-caustic
- Non-hazardous
- Non-fuming
- Non-flammable
Using Gaylord G510EF Water Wash Hood Detergent in Your Commercial Kitchen
To achieve the best results, follow the instructions provided by Gaylord for the specific application you require. Dilute the detergent with water according to the recommended ratio and apply it to the surface or appliance you wish to clean. Then, allow the detergent to soak and penetrate the grease and grime before scrubbing, doing a quick rinse, and then wiping clean.
SAFECID Multi-Purpose Degreaser – A Powerful, Safe, and Eco-Friendly Cleaning Solution for Your Kitchen
SAFECID CR 909 Multi-Purpose Degreaser & Sanitizer is an effective, safe, and eco-friendly cleaning solution that serves as a replacement for sodium hydroxide and lye caustic. Key features and benefits of SAFECID Multi-Purpose Degreaser include:
- Powerful cleaning performance
- Safe and non-hazardous
- Eco-friendly
- Versatile applications
- Cold temperature durability
SAFECID CR 909 has the same cleaning power as sodium hydroxide, with a longer spend rate, making it an excellent choice for tackling stubborn grease and grime in your commercial kitchen. Unlike caustic cleaners, SAFECID is non-corrosive, non-toxic, and non-destructive. It won’t cause irreversible damage to human skin tissue. Not only does this reduce the risk of severe caustic burns, it also reduces the need for extensive personal protective equipment. SAFECID CR 909 is also 100% biodegradable, non-US DOT regulated, and non-Canadian TDG regulated, making it a more environmentally friendly choice for your cleaning needs.
Depending on your needs, this multi-purpose degreaser can be used to maintain or increase pH, precipitate magnesium, suppress calcium in high-hardness waters, and neutralize acid gases such as carbon dioxide and hydrogen sulfide. In addition, SAFECID CR 909 is highly durable in cold temperatures and is freeze-thaw stable, ensuring effective cleaning performance in various temperature conditions.
Expert Techniques for Keeping Your Hood and Hood Filters in Top-Notch Condition
Maintaining your commercial kitchen grease filters is crucial for ensuring a safe, clean, and efficient working environment. By adopting a few of these guidelines, you can extend the life of your hood filters, reduce fire hazards, and ensure better air quality in your kitchen.
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- Establish a regular cleaning schedule.Based on the cooking volume in your kitchen, determine the appropriate frequency for cleaning your hood filters. High-volume kitchens may require daily cleaning, while others may only need weekly or monthly maintenance. Adhering to a consistent cleaning schedule will prevent grease buildup and ensure optimal filter performance.
- Use the right cleaning solutions and tools.Select powerful, eco-friendly cleaning solutions like Gaylord G510EF Water Wash Hood Detergent or SAFECID CR 909 Multi-Purpose Degreaser to effectively remove grease and grime. Use appropriate tools, such as the DRIPLOC Heavy Duty Hood Filter Soak Cart, to simplify the cleaning process and achieve better results. The Omni Containment Stainless Steel Grease Depth Gauge Comb is a great tool for helping you determine if it is time to clean your exhaust system.
Read more about the Omni grease comb here!
- Allow adequate soaking time.Immerse your filters in the cleaning solution and let them soak for an appropriate amount of time, usually overnight. Allowing enough time for the solution to penetrate and dissolve grease and grime will result in cleaner and more efficient filters.
- Rinse and dry filters thoroughly.After soaking and cleaning your filters, rinse them thoroughly with hot water to remove any remaining cleaning solution and grease residues. Make sure to dry the filters completely before re-installing them to prevent moisture buildup and rust.
- Inspect and replace filters as needed.Regularly inspect your hood filters for any signs of wear, damage, or excessive grease buildup. If a filter is damaged or no longer functioning efficiently, replace it with a new one to maintain optimal ventilation performance.
- Train your kitchen staff.Ensure your kitchen staff is well-trained in maintaining and cleaning hood filters. This will help promote a culture of cleanliness and safety in your commercial kitchen.
- Establish a regular cleaning schedule.Based on the cooking volume in your kitchen, determine the appropriate frequency for cleaning your hood filters. High-volume kitchens may require daily cleaning, while others may only need weekly or monthly maintenance. Adhering to a consistent cleaning schedule will prevent grease buildup and ensure optimal filter performance.
Conclusion
Investing in high-quality hood filter cleaning products, like the ones we’ve discussed in this article, can significantly enhance the efficiency and lifespan of your commercial kitchen ventilation system. Our wide range of hood and hood filter cleaning solutions, hood cleaning supplies, tools, hood accessories will help ensure your filters remain in optimal condition and that your kitchen stays safe and clean. The products we discussed are just a few of the many hood cleaning solutions available at HoodFilters.com. From duct cleaning and power washing products to commercial fan hinge kits, explore our full selection to find the perfect hood cleaning solutions for your specific needs and keep your commercial kitchen in pristine condition.
Looking for assistance in choosing or buying a hood filter cleaning products for your commercial kitchen ventilation? HoodFilters.com has amazing customer service and the lowest prices—guaranteed. Connect with us via live chat on HoodFilters.com, email us at customerservice@hoodfilters.com, or simply give us a call at 877-394-9731. Our dedicated product specialists and customer support team are always ready to help you with your hood filter cleaning needs!
