How Often Should Extraction Systems Be Cleaned?

Understanding Cleaning Frequencies

The frequency of extraction system cleaning depends on several factors including the type of cooking, volume of food produced, and operating hours. Getting this right is crucial for both safety and compliance.

Recommended Schedules by Kitchen Type

Different kitchen environments produce different levels of grease and particulate buildup:

• Fast food and takeaways: Every 3 months due to high-volume frying
• Restaurants: Every 6 months for most operations
• Hotels: Every 6 months, though busy hotel kitchens may need quarterly cleans
• Schools and care homes: Every 6-12 months depending on volume
• Cafes and light cooking: Every 12 months

Signs Your System Needs Cleaning

Between scheduled cleans, watch for these warning signs: visible grease buildup on canopy surfaces, reduced airflow or extraction efficiency, unpleasant odours in the kitchen, grease dripping from canopy or filters, and excessive heat in the kitchen during cooking.

The Cost of Neglect

Failing to maintain your extraction system can lead to fire risk from grease buildup, insurance claim rejection, environmental health enforcement action, reduced air quality for staff, and higher energy costs from inefficient systems.

Regular cleaning is always cheaper than dealing with the consequences of neglect. A typical extraction clean costs a fraction of what a kitchen fire or insurance dispute would cost your business.