How Often Should Hoods Be Cleaned in Lisbon’s Commercial Kitchens
Running a restaurant in Lisbon means staying on top of food safety, hygiene, and fire prevention—especially in your kitchen. One of the most critical areas to maintain is your kitchen’s exhaust system, specifically the hoods and ducts. These systems are designed to remove grease, smoke, and odours, but over time they accumulate grease, which can pose a significant fire hazard. So, how often should your restaurant hoods be cleaned to ensure safety and compliance with local regulations?
In this guide, we’ll cover how often restaurant owners in Lisbon should schedule hood cleanings based on their kitchen’s usage and how Servilar’s advanced cleaning process ensures your kitchen stays safe and efficient.
Why regular hood cleaning is crucial?
The kitchen hood system is responsible for venting out grease-laden vapors and smoke generated during cooking. Over time, these residues build up in the hood, ducts, and fans, creating a dangerous fire hazard if not properly cleaned. Regular cleaning is essential not just for fire prevention, but also for ensuring your kitchen runs smoothly and remains compliant with health and safety regulations.
How often should restaurant hoods be cleaned?
The frequency of hood cleaning largely depends on how much your kitchen is used. Here’s a general guideline:
1. High-volume kitchens: Monthly cleaning
If your restaurant operates on a high-volume basis—cooking large quantities of food every day, such as fast-food chains or busy establishments—monthly cleaning is recommended. This is because the hood and ducts are constantly exposed to high levels of grease, increasing the risk of a grease fire.
2. Moderate-volume kitchens: Quarterly cleaning
For kitchens that operate on a moderate level, such as a standard restaurant or café with consistent but not excessive cooking, quarterly cleanings are typically sufficient. This allows enough time for some buildup without letting it reach dangerous levels.
3. Low-volume or seasonal kitchens: Semi-annual or annual cleaning
If your restaurant operates seasonally or has low-volume cooking, such as a small café or a facility that isn’t used daily, you can opt for semi-annual or annual cleanings. However, even with less frequent usage, it’s important not to neglect cleaning altogether, as grease can still accumulate over time.
4. Special considerations for solid fuel cooking
Restaurants that use solid fuels like wood or charcoal, such as pizzerias or barbecue joints, need to be extra vigilant. The type of fuel can produce additional soot and residue, requiring monthly or even bi-monthly cleanings, regardless of the kitchen’s volume of use.
Compliance with Lisbon’s safety regulations
In Lisbon, regular hood cleaning is not just good practice; it’s also essential for complying with local fire safety and health regulations. The Civil Protection and other local authorities recommend regular hood maintenance to prevent fire hazards and keep kitchens safe for staff and customers.
Failing to clean your restaurant hoods regularly could result in fines, shutdowns, or, in the worst-case scenario, a devastating kitchen fire. By staying on top of your cleaning schedule, you can avoid these risks and keep your business running smoothly.
How Servilar’s advanced hood cleaning process saves you time and money?
At Servilar, we understand how crucial it is for restaurants to minimize downtime. That’s why we use state-of-the-art cleaning tools and techniques that are not only efficient but also incredibly thorough. Our advanced technology includes:
1. Automatic foam generators
Our automatic foam generators produce continuous foam with the right density to adhere to the walls of your kitchen ducts. This foam is injected into the system and allowed to sit for the optimal time to break down grease, ensuring a deep clean without the need for harsh scrubbing.
2. Brushing rotative systems with video inspection
We use specialized brushing rotative system to scrub the ducts and hood systems. These systems are equipped with integrated video inspection, allowing us to monitor the cleaning process in real-time and ensure that every corner is thoroughly cleaned. This means fewer missed spots and a cleaner, safer kitchen.
3. Powerful pneumatic motors
Our cleaning system uses the most powerful pneumatic motors available to push through even the toughest grease buildup. This technology allows us to clean faster and more effectively, reducing the time your kitchen needs to be out of service.
4. Gentle yet effective brushes
Unlike manual scraping, which can damage your kitchen surfaces, we use specially designed nylon brushes that are tough on grease but gentle on your equipment. This ensures a longer lifespan for your kitchen hood system while maintaining cleanliness.
The benefits of choosing Servilar for your hood cleaning
By choosing Servilar for your hood cleaning needs, you get more than just a clean kitchen:
- Minimized downtime: Our advanced technology allows us to clean quickly and efficiently, meaning less downtime for your restaurant.
- Improved safety: Regular cleanings prevent grease buildup, which reduces the risk of fire and ensures compliance with local safety regulations.
- Cost savings: Regular maintenance of your kitchen hoods reduces the likelihood of costly repairs or replacements due to long-term grease damage.
- Compliance documentation: After each cleaning, we provide a video inspection report, ensuring that your kitchen meets all safety and hygiene standards.
Conclusion
For restaurant owners in Lisbon, keeping your kitchen hood systems clean is essential for both safety and compliance. The frequency of cleaning depends on how often and intensely your kitchen is used, but regular maintenance is key to preventing fire hazards and avoiding costly fines.
At Servilar, we offer advanced hood cleaning solutions that are not only fast and thorough but also cost-effective. By using the latest technology, including foam generators, brushing robots, and video inspections, we ensure that your kitchen remains safe, clean, and compliant with local regulations.
Contact Servilar today to schedule your next hood cleaning and keep your restaurant running safely and efficiently!
