How do I Clean a Restaurant Exhaust Fan?
Exhaust fans are used in home and commercial kitchens to pull hot air, odors and grease vapors up and away from cooking areas. Exhaust fans do a lot of work and become covered in dirt and grease, creating a potentially hazardous environment. Frequent cleaning of the exhaust fan lowers the likelihood of a duct fire and requires less equipment to do the job.Things You'll Need
- Screwdrivers
- Socket set
- Gloves
- Scraper
- Eye protection
- Degreaser
- Rags
- Climbing equipment
Instructions
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1
Turn off the power to the exhaust fan and other electrical components. Cleaning exhaust fans is a dangerous job if not done with the proper safety measures. Turn the power off from the main power source, such as a breaker box. This prevents electrical shock and other injuries as the fan is being cleaned.
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Prepare other safety measures. Exhaust fans located in the hood over the cooking area are typically easier to clean and have less risk than rooftop exhaust fans. Rooftop fans are much larger and you should take extra safety precautions during disassembly. Use climbing equipment to tie yourself off before working to avoid falling.
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3
Remove the cover and fan blade mechanism on the exhaust fan. Using the proper tools, unscrew the cover from the fan and set it aside. Remove the fan blades and any other removable pieces.
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4
Scrape grease from the interior of the fan assembly. Use a metal or plastic scraper to scrape off the layers of grease and grime from the inside casing and the fan blades.
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Clean the blades. Using clean rags, scrub brushes and a degreasing soap, scrub the blades clean of all dirt and grease. Use a small brush to clean the venting areas on the fan’s cover. For roof-mounted fans, remove and clean the rooftop grease pan in the same manner.
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6
Reassemble the fan and restore power. After all the pieces have been cleaned and dried, replace them in the unit and secure any screws and bolts. Replace the cover and turn the power back on to test the fan.
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