Commercial Kitchen Hood Cleaning in Sarasota & Venice

The “Invisible” Danger: Why Professional Kitchen Hood Cleaning Matters

Many restaurant owners think a shiny hood means a clean system. This is a dangerous myth.

90% of the grease buildup happens where you can’t see it: inside the vertical ductwork and on the rooftop commercial exhaust fan. When superheated vapors enter these ducts, that hidden grease becomes a fuel source waiting for a spark.

As a certified hood cleaning service, our job is fire prevention. We adhere strictly to NFPA 96 Standards (National Fire Protection Association), ensuring that your restaurant kitchen exhaust hood cleaning removes fuel from the entire system, not just the canopy.

Our 8-Step Commercial Hood Cleaning Process

Unlike budget hood cleaners who use cold water and heavy caustics that damage your equipment, KellShot uses a Hot Water Steam process. This melts grease at the molecular level, allowing us to clean deeper while protecting your stainless steel.

1. Kitchen Protection & “Tenting”

We treat your kitchen with respect. Before we start, we wrap your equipment, fryers, and prep stations in plastic sheeting. We create a “funnel” system to catch all wastewater, ensuring no grease splatters on your floors or appliances.

2. The Rooftop Exhaust Fan Cleaning

We start at the top. We hinge back the fan to access the blades and the vertical ductwork. We apply a commercial-grade alkaline degreaser to break down the carbonized grease, then use hot water pressure washing to blast the blades clean.

• Note: A balanced, clean fan extends the life of your motor and belt.

3. Vertical Duct Cleaning

This is the step most commercial kitchen cleaning service near me searches fail to deliver. We drop spinner nozzles down the ductwork to clean the areas you can’t see, removing the dangerous fuel load that leads to chimney fires.

4. The Hood Canopy & Plenum

Back in the kitchen, we clean the plenum (the area behind the filters) and the canopy itself. We use a safe foaming degreaser that clings to vertical surfaces, followed by a steam rinse to leave your commercial range hood spotless.

5. Filter Cleaning

We remove your baffle filters and soak them in a specialized dip tank or pressure wash them to remove clogging grease. Clean filters improve airflow and keep your kitchen cooler.

6. Stainless Steel Polish

Once the grease is gone, we polish the exterior of the hood to a brilliant shine. Your kitchen will look brand new for your staff and health inspectors.

7. Site Cleanup

We remove all plastic, mop the floors, and ensure your kitchen is cleaner than when we arrived.

8. Certification Sticker

We apply a dated NFPA 96 compliance sticker to your hood, proving to the Fire Marshal and your insurance company that you have performed your due diligence.

How Often Should You Clean Your Kitchen Hood?

The frequency of kitchen exhaust cleaning services depends on what you cook and how often. Here are the NFPA 96 Standard guidelines: