Studies suggest that cooking can produce contaminants as small as cigarette smoke particles. They can range between 0.1 µm and 0.25 µm. These tiny particles can float in the air, irritate your eyes, throat, and lungs and cause respiratory problems. You can avoid such risks by using kitchen exhausts. They absorb harmful particles and keep the air safe. However, they can get dirty over time. You will notice dust and grease buildup, poor air quality, noises, smoke and odours. Proper cleaning ensures they are in optimal condition and the kitchen environment is safe.
Signs That Hint You for Kitchen Hood Cleaning
Kitchen exhaust can become really dirty over time. You will receive various visual signs, but the following demands immediate action.
Visual Dust and Grease Buildup
If you see dust and grease on your kitchen hood, it’s time for a cleaning. Grease buildup indicators include sticky surfaces and visible grime. Regular grease trap inspection can help you catch problems early. Dust and grease can affect the exhaust hood’s performance. If the hood isn’t working well, it can’t remove smoke and odours effectively. So, when you notice dust or grease around the hood, prepare for immediate cleaning.
Unpleasant Odour and Poor Kitchen Air Quality
A bad smell is a primary hint to clean your hood. Bad odours can mean your hood is full of grease and dust. It can also indicate that the hood may not be working properly. Besides, the emission of odour can also affect the air quality. Unclean hood cannot remove smoke, grease, and cooking odours. This buildup can release harmful particles and affect the air quality.
Exhaust Fan Is Not Working Properly
The exhaust fan is responsible for pulling the contaminated air outside. It improves air quality and reduces heat and humidity. This keeps the kitchen comfortable and free of harmful particles. If you notice the fan is not working, you must take immediate action. Check if the fan is clean. Usually, the primary reason for the fan not working is accumulated dust. Sometimes, it may partially work, and sometimes won’t work at all.
If you haven’t cleaned the fan for a long time, you will notice clog on the blades and dust. This decreases the exhaust fan efficiency. Smoke removal becomes harder, and the kitchen environment gets spoiled. You can use baking soda and white vinegar to clean the fan. These natural cleaning agents are safe to use in the kitchen. However, you must wear protective gloves and goggles for your safety.
Unusual Noises and Frequent Alarms
Unusual noise from the hood is a warning. It hints that the blade might not be working properly. The built-up debris on the fan blade increases friction and makes the kitchen noisy and irritating. Sometimes, the alarm may go off. This will keep happening till you clean the machine thoroughly. The uncleaned particles and grease can sometimes cause fire hazards and smoke. This triggers the alarm. It can be a frustrating experience to go. You had better keep the machine clean to avoid such incidents.
Sudden Higher Demand for Energy
Regular cleaning keeps your exhaust in the best condition. If you don’t keep it clean, it can lose its efficiency. You may end up using more energy to do the same amount of work for the hood. The machine will have to run for extra time to freshen the air. You will notice a sudden rise in the electricity paybills. You should check the hood filters and the ventilation ducts. In case the filter is too dirty, you had better replace it with a new one.
Smokey and Unpleasant Kitchen Environment
The primary purpose of using a kitchen exhaust is that it absorbs the smoke. This is helpful for kitchen ventilation maintenance. You will feel uncomfortable to cook in the kitchen. The smoke can irritate your eyes and cause breathing problems. While cleaning the exhaust, you should also check on the fan motor. Any fault with this motor can affect smoke-absorbing performance. Clean the ductwork and, if necessary, change the filters.
A study suggests that kitchen smoke can significantly pollute the indoor air. Poor indoor air quality is responsible for 1 million children death under Poor indoor air quality is responsible for the death of 1 million children under five every year. Therefore, you must clean yourself or take the help of professional cleaning services when there is an unsafe amount of smoke in the kitchen.
The Weather Is Changing
This is not an indoor sign. You will notice the change in nature, and some precautions will be required. Changes in weather can affect exhaust workload. Different weather conditions have different impacts on the hood.
In colder months, grease and debris can harden in the ducts. This reduces airflow and makes the system work harder. Humidity increases during warmer months. It causes grease to become sticky. This can lead to blockages and poor exhaust performance. Additionally, seasonal changes often mean more cooking indoors. This increases the amount of smoke and grease produced.
You should do a thorough check during the seasonal changes. Clean all the areas and parts. It keeps the exhaust in its optimal condition. It can work properly and absorb smoke and other cooking particles. You get to enjoy a clean and safe kitchen environment.
Check the Previous Cleaning Time
You must keep notes of professional cleaning. This will remind you when to clean the exhaust again. You should clean the exhaust at least twice a year. The frequency depends on various factors. You need more frequent restaurant exhaust cleaning than household ones. They go through more work and more heavy use. Regular exhaust cleaning is a part of commercial kitchen safety.
Having a detailed log is better. You can note down the ventilation duct cleaning date, spot cleaning date, and dusting date. This keeps the exhaust in its best condition, and the kitchen remains safe.
Final Words
Clean kitchen exhaust keeps the indoor air quality safe. You must not neglect its cleanliness. Take prompt action after noticing any of the above signs. Delaying can be costly. Eco Cleaning Brisbane can help you keep the hood system upkeep. We have expert and trained professionals to clean the ductwork and the surroundings of the exhaust, fans, and filters. We use only eco-friendly products. It maintains the air quality and promotes a healthy environment. Call +61 7 3189 2759 or email us at [email protected] to book your cleaning schedule for kitchen exhaust.
