By the Fast Hood Cleaners Team | NFPA 96-trained hood cleaning technicians serving restaurants across Ontario
Quick Summary
Quick Summary
- Client: A commercial restaurant kitchen in Ontario
- Problem: Grease buildup on the rooftop exhaust fan, its access panel and the duct base below it
- Solution: Kitchen exhaust hood cleaning with rooftop unit fan cleaning, degreasing and pressure washing, done to NFPA 96 standards
- Result: A degreased fan housing and blower wheel, plus an inspection report, a health and safety certificate and before-and-after photos sent to the owner by email
Hood cleaning is one of the most overlooked jobs in a restaurant, and one of the most important. In this case study, Fast Hood Cleaners walks you through a real restaurant hood cleaning job in Ontario: the condition we found, the exact process we followed, a video of the rooftop fan being washed, and what every restaurant owner can learn from it. If you are comparing hood cleaning services in Ontario, this page shows what a proper job looks like.
The Challenge: Restaurant Hood Cleaning That Was Overdue
The restaurant owner called Fast Hood Cleaners because the exhaust system needed professional attention. Commercial cooking, especially frying and grilling, sends grease vapour up through the hood, filters, duct and fan every day. When the system is not cleaned on schedule, that vapour condenses and builds up in layers.
When our technician reached the roof, the access panel of the exhaust fan was stained dark with sticky grease on the inside. The same residue coated the fan housing and had run down into the duct base below. The rooftop fan is the last stop for hot, grease-laden air leaving the kitchen, so heavy buildup here is a warning sign for the rest of the system.
Why Hood Cleaning Matters for Every Ontario Restaurant
Hood cleaning is a fire-safety requirement, not a cosmetic extra. Grease buildup in a kitchen exhaust system is widely recognised as one of the leading causes of commercial kitchen fires. Restaurant owners book professional hood cleaning services for three main reasons:
- Fire safety. NFPA 96 is the standard for ventilation control and fire protection of commercial cooking operations, and the Ontario Fire Code references it. Regular hood cleaning removes the grease that fuels a kitchen fire.
- Insurance and inspections. Insurers, fire marshals and health inspectors often ask for proof of cleaning. A dated inspection report and certificate are that proof.
- Kitchen performance. A clean exhaust fan moves air properly, which keeps smoke, heat and odours out of your dining room and reduces strain on the motor.
A fire suppression system does not replace hood cleaning. Suppression helps put a fire out. Hood cleaning helps stop one from starting.
Our Hood Cleaning Process, Step by Step
Every Fast Hood Cleaners job follows the same checklist. Here is how it went on this project.
Step 1: Assessment and “before” photos
We inspected the hood, filters, duct access points and rooftop fan, and photographed everything before touching it. This is what makes the final report credible: you see the starting condition, not just our word for it.
Step 2: Power off and lock out
The exhaust fan was switched off and secured so it could not start while we worked. This is a basic safety step in all professional hood cleaning.
Step 3: Protect the roof and contain the grease
Grease-laden water must not run across a roof or into a drain. We set up containment so the waste is captured and removed.
Step 4: Open the fan access panel
The rooftop unit has a hinged access panel. Opening it exposes the fan housing and the blower wheel, which is where the heaviest grease staining was.
Step 5: Degrease and pressure wash the fan
We applied degreaser to the housing, the panel and the blower wheel, let it break down the grease, then pressure washed each blade and the housing. Rooftop fan cleaning is a first priority in our kitchen exhaust hood cleaning, because grease left on a fan hardens and becomes much harder to remove.
Step 6: Clean the hood, filters and ducts
Below the roof we cleaned the hood interior, the grease filters and the accessible duct sections. Many clients also use our kitchen filter exchange service, where clean filters are swapped in before the hood cleaning starts so the kitchen is back in action sooner. You can also book kitchen filter cleaning on its own.
Step 7: Final inspection and documentation
Once everything was rinsed and dry, we checked the fan, closed and secured the panel and took “after” photos. The owner then received an email with the before-and-after photos, the inspection report and the health and safety certificate.
Watch the Rooftop Exhaust Fan Cleaning (Video)
This short clip shows a Fast Hood Cleaners technician washing the blower wheel of a restaurant rooftop exhaust fan in Ontario.
Video: rooftop exhaust fan cleaning by Fast Hood Cleaners, Ontario.
Before and After: Restaurant Exhaust Fan Hood Cleaning Photo
Results
| Area | Before hood cleaning | After hood cleaning |
|---|---|---|
| Fan housing and access panel | Dark, sticky grease staining and residue | Degreased and washed |
| Blower wheel | Coated with grease buildup | Clean blades free of residue |
| Duct base below the fan | Grease run-off visible | Cleaned and inspected |
| Documentation | No current proof of cleaning | Inspection report, health and safety certificate and photos |
| Next service | Not scheduled | Set by cooking volume, typically every 3 months |
How Often Does a Restaurant Need Hood Cleaning?
NFPA 96 sets minimum inspection frequencies based on how much and what you cook. Most commercial kitchens we serve need hood cleaning about every three months, but your real schedule depends on cooking volume.
| Kitchen type | Typical examples | NFPA 96 inspection and cleaning frequency |
|---|---|---|
| Solid fuel cooking | Wood-fired or charcoal | Monthly |
| High-volume | 24-hour kitchens, charbroiling, woks | Quarterly |
| Moderate-volume | Typical full-service restaurants | Semi-annually |
| Low-volume | Churches, day camps, seasonal operations | Annually |
Confirm the edition and any local requirements with your fire department or insurer. Kitchen floors, especially under equipment, should be deep cleaned about every six months. See our commercial kitchen floor cleaning and full commercial kitchen cleaning services.
What Affects the Cost of Hood Cleaning Services?
We do not use a flat rate, because no two kitchens are alike. The price of hood cleaning services depends on:
- The size of the hood
- The length of the duct run
- How much grease has built up
- The number of exhaust systems on site
After a quick assessment we send a free quote within 24 hours, and you get an exact number before any work begins.
Key Lessons for Restaurant Owners
- Do not skip the roof. The rooftop fan is out of sight, so it is often out of mind. Ask every hood cleaning company whether the fan is included.
- Ask for photos and paperwork. A reputable hood cleaning service gives you before-and-after photos, an inspection report and a certificate every time.
- Schedule by volume, not by habit. Match your cleaning schedule to how heavily you cook.
- Check credentials. Look for NFPA 96 training, licensing and insurance before you hire. Our guide on choosing a certified hood cleaning company in Ontario explains what to check.
- Clean before an inspection, not after a problem. Planned hood cleaning costs far less than emergency work or downtime.
Frequently Asked Questions About Hood Cleaning
What is restaurant hood cleaning?
Restaurant hood cleaning is the removal of grease from the full kitchen exhaust system: the hood, filters, ductwork and exhaust fan. It reduces fire risk and keeps the system working as designed. Learn more on our commercial hood cleaning services for restaurants page.
How often should a restaurant get hood cleaning services?
Most commercial kitchens need hood cleaning every three months. High-volume kitchens may need it more often, and low-volume kitchens less often, following NFPA 96.
Does a fire suppression system replace hood cleaning?
No. A suppression system responds to a fire. Regular hood cleaning reduces the grease that feeds one.
Do you clean the rooftop exhaust fan?
Yes. Rooftop fan degreasing and pressure washing is part of our kitchen exhaust hood cleaning, as shown in the video above.
What paperwork do I get after hood cleaning?
You receive an email with before-and-after photos, an inspection report and a health and safety certificate.
Do you clean food truck hoods too?
Yes. We offer food truck hood cleaning, and we also clean residential range hoods.
Which areas do your hood cleaning services cover in Ontario?
Fast Hood Cleaners serves the Greater Toronto Area and many other Ontario cities, including Toronto, Mississauga, Brampton, Oakville, Burlington, Hamilton, Markham, Vaughan, Kitchener, Waterloo, London and Barrie.
Why You Can Trust This Case Study
- Experience: The Fast Hood Cleaners team has over 7 years of hands-on experience in commercial kitchen hood cleaning.
- Expertise: Our technicians are trained and certified, and we work to NFPA 96 standards.
- Authority: We are licensed and insured, and we provide documentation that insurers, fire marshals and health inspectors recognise. Read more about Fast Hood Cleaners.
- Transparency: The photo and video on this page are from the actual job. The client’s name is withheld to protect their privacy.
- Reviews: Fast Hood Cleaners holds a 5.0 rating on Google.
Disclosure: This case study is written by Fast Hood Cleaners and describes our own work. It is for general information and does not replace advice from your fire department, insurer or a licensed fire protection professional.
Book Professional Hood Cleaning Services in Ontario
If you want hood cleaning services that come with photos, paperwork and a clear price, contact Fast Hood Cleaners for a free quote within 24 hours.
Fast Hood Cleaners Ontario, Canada Phone: +1 289-623-5455 Email: Info@fasthoodcleaners.ca Request a hood cleaning quote | View all services
Related Reading
- Commercial Hood Cleaning Services: The Complete Guide for Restaurant Owners
- Hood Cleaners in Ontario: The Complete Guide to Choosing a Certified Company
- Kitchen Exhaust Hood Cleaning in Toronto: The Complete Guide for Restaurant Owners
- Top 3 Kitchen Exhaust Hood Cleaning Companies in Ontario
