Commercial hood cleaning removes grease buildup from your kitchen exhaust system: hood, ducts, fan, and filters, down to bare metal, as required by NFPA 96. Most restaurants need it every 1 to 3 months, and skipping it is one of the top causes of commercial kitchen fires.
If you run a restaurant, ghost kitchen, hotel, or any commercial cooking operation in Ontario, this guide covers exactly what hood cleaning services involve, how often you actually need them, what they cost, and how to pick a company that won’t leave you scrambling during a fire marshal visit.
What Is Kitchen Hood Cleaning, Exactly?
Kitchen hood cleaning (also called exhaust hood cleaning or kitchen exhaust cleaning) is the process of stripping accumulated grease from every part of your ventilation system. That includes not just the visible hood, but the ductwork running through your walls or roof, the exhaust fan, and the filters.
This isn’t a wipe down with degreaser. Under NFPA 96, the code that governs commercial cooking ventilation across North America, a compliant cleaning means the interior surfaces are cleaned to bare metal. That’s the standard fire marshals and insurance adjusters are actually checking for.
For a full breakdown of what separates hood cleaning from exhaust cleaning and duct/flue cleaning (they’re often confused), see our guide: Hood Cleaning vs. Exhaust Cleaning vs. Flue Cleaning: What’s the Difference?
Why Restaurant Hood Cleaning Isn’t Optional
Grease is fuel. A single spark from a stovetop flare up traveling into an uncleaned duct can turn into a structure fire in seconds. NFPA data consistently identifies cooking equipment as the leading cause of restaurant fires, and unmaintained exhaust systems are a major contributing factor.
Beyond safety, there are three practical reasons Ontario restaurant owners can’t skip this:
- Insurance. Most commercial policies require proof of NFPA 96 compliant cleaning; a fire linked to a neglected hood can void your claim.
- Health inspections. Grease buildup and pest attraction from dirty hoods are common inspection failures.
- Fire marshal compliance. Many municipalities require an up to date cleaning certificate on site, available on demand.
Every job we complete comes with the documentation for all three: before/after photos, a health & safety certificate, and an inspection report. You can see exactly how that process works on our About Us page.
How Often Should Commercial Hood Cleaning Happen?
NFPA 96 doesn’t set one universal schedule. It scales cleaning frequency to cooking volume:
| Kitchen Type | Typical Cleaning Frequency |
|---|---|
| High volume (24 hour, wood/charcoal fired, high volume fryers) | Monthly |
| Moderate volume (most full service restaurants) | Every 3 months |
| Low volume (churches, seasonal kitchens, banquet halls) | Every 6 months |
| Very low volume (residential style, occasional use) | Annually |
If you’re not sure which bracket your kitchen falls into, that’s something we assess for free as part of every quote. It’s rarely as simple as “restaurant equals quarterly.”
What’s Included in a Professional Hood Cleaning Service
A proper commercial kitchen exhaust cleaning job covers the entire system, not just what’s visible from the kitchen floor:
- Hood canopy. Interior and exterior degreasing.
- Filters. Removed, deep cleaned or exchanged, and reinstalled (see our filter cleaning service and filter exchange program).
- Ductwork. Full interior scraping and degreasing down to bare metal.
- Rooftop exhaust fan. Pressure washed and inspected. This is often the most neglected part of the system, covered in our rooftop unit fan cleaning service.
- Access panel check. Confirming your system has compliant inspection points per code.
- Documentation. Before/after photos, certificate, and inspection report.
If you want the deeper technical walkthrough, our Kitchen Hood Exhaust Cleaning service page breaks down each step further.
Commercial vs. Residential Hood Cleaning
These are treated differently for a reason:
- Commercial kitchens (restaurants, hotels, hospitals, food trucks) fall under NFPA 96 and require certified, documented cleaning. See our commercial hood cleaning services page.
- Residential range hoods don’t carry the same code requirements but still need professional degreasing periodically to run safely and efficiently. That’s covered under range hood cleaning for residential homes.
- Food trucks face full commercial grade requirements in a fraction of the space. Our food truck hood cleaning service is built specifically around tight access systems.
Signs You Need Hood Cleaning Now (Don’t Wait for the Schedule)
Even if your next scheduled cleaning is weeks away, book sooner if you notice:
- Visible grease dripping from the hood or filters
- A burning smell when equipment first turns on
- Smoke lingering in the kitchen instead of venting properly
- Your last cleaning certificate has expired
- An insurance renewal or health inspection is coming up
How to Choose a Hood Cleaning Company Near You
Searching “hood cleaning near me” is the easy part. Vetting who shows up is where most restaurant owners get burned, sometimes literally. Look for:
- NFPA 96 certification of the actual technicians, not just the company name
- Licensed and insured status you can verify
- Documentation included by default: photos, certificate, inspection report, not an upsell
- Service history in your specific kitchen type. Hospital and food truck systems aren’t cleaned the same way as a standard restaurant
- Reviews from real Ontario operators. See ours here
We cover the Greater Toronto Area and 20+ surrounding Ontario cities including Mississauga, Brampton, Vaughan, and Hamilton. You can check your city specifically on our locations page.
What Does Hood Cleaning Cost?
Pricing depends on hood size, duct length, grease buildup, and how many systems your kitchen runs, which is why flat online pricing is usually a red flag rather than a benefit. A single hood café and a 24 hour high volume kitchen aren’t the same job. We provide a free, itemized quote within 24 hours after a quick assessment.
Can You Clean the Hood Yourself?
Wiping the exterior daily is normal upkeep. But NFPA 96 requires the interior ductwork, filters, and rooftop fan to be cleaned to bare metal by trained personnel. A ladder and household degreaser won’t get you there, and self cleaning won’t satisfy your fire marshal or insurer’s documentation requirements either way.
FAQs
How quickly can I get hood cleaning scheduled?
Most quotes are turned around within 24 hours, with service typically scheduled around your kitchen’s downtime: early morning, late night, or a closed day, so it doesn’t disrupt service.
Does a fire suppression system replace the need for hood cleaning?
No. Suppression systems put out fires that start; hood cleaning removes the grease that lets fires start and spread in the first place. NFPA 96 requires both.
Is Fast Hood Cleaners certified?
Yes. Our technicians are trained and certified by MFS Trade School to NFPA 96 standards, and we’re fully licensed and insured across Ontario.
Do you serve hospitals and long-term care kitchens, not just restaurants?
Yes. See our hood cleaning services page for the full range of facility types we work with, including nursing homes, shelters, and industrial kitchens.
Book Your Hood Cleaning Today
If your last cleaning certificate is expired, your kitchen is due, or you just want a straight answer on cost, get a free quote or call +1-289-623-5455. Every job comes with documentation your fire marshal, health inspector, and insurer will actually accept.
