Monthly or quarterly depending on cooking volume
Hood Cleaning
in Fort Lee, NJ
Restaurant hood cleaning in Fort Lee, NJ removes grease and carbon buildup from the canopy, baffles, and all interior exhaust hood surfaces above your cooking equipment. This service is required under NFPA 96 for every commercial kitchen using heat-producing equipment. Without regular commercial kitchen hood cleaning, grease accumulates until a single flare-up can ignite the system. We complete the service, issue a dated certificate, and leave your kitchen ready for the next shift.
What Hood Cleaning Involves
Hood cleaning starts with protecting your cooking equipment and nearby surfaces with plastic sheeting. Baffle filters are removed and soaked in heated degreasing solution while we apply solvent to all interior hood surfaces and scrape accumulated grease to bare metal. The visible ductwork entry point is cleaned, filters are reinstalled, and a service certificate is affixed to the hood. The kitchen is left operational when we leave.
- 1Cover cooking equipment and nearby surfaces with protective plastic
- 2Remove and soak baffle filters in heated degreasing solution
- 3Scrape and degrease all interior hood surfaces to bare metal
- 4Clean the visible ductwork entry point
- 5Reinstall cleaned filters and affix a dated service certificate
When You Need Hood Cleaning
Monthly or quarterly depending on cooking volume. NFPA 96 sets the cleaning interval by cooking type. Wok cooking, char-broiling, and solid-fuel equipment require monthly hood cleaning service. Most Fort Lee restaurants running standard fryers, grills, and ovens qualify for quarterly service. Low-volume operations such as snack counters or coffee bars are typically due every six months. If you are unsure which interval applies, we assess actual grease accumulation during the first visit and recommend a schedule based on what we find.
Why It Matters
Grease is combustible. A flare-up from a fryer or grill can ignite grease on the hood surface and travel into the duct within seconds. NFPA 96 compliance is not optional — it is a fire code requirement backed by your commercial property insurance policy. Most policies exclude fire damage caused by a ventilation system that was not maintained on schedule. The New Jersey Division of Fire Safety enforces these standards during routine inspections throughout Bergen County, and a failed inspection can result in a temporary closure.
NFPA 96 sets the mandatory cleaning intervals for every commercial kitchen exhaust system in the United States.
New Jersey Division of Fire Safety enforces these standards during routine inspections and can issue a closure order for non-compliant kitchens.
NJ Department of Health food establishment rules require commercial kitchens to maintain clean ventilation systems as part of their operating permit conditions.
When This Service Isn't the Right Fit
- ✕We do not clean residential range hoods.
- ✕If the last cleaning was more than 18 months ago, expect the job to take longer than a routine service and cost accordingly. We will tell you upfront before any work starts.
- ✕We do not remove fire suppression systems to access surfaces behind them — that work requires a licensed fire suppression contractor.
Questions About Hood Cleaning
- How long does hood cleaning take?
- Most restaurant hoods take 2–4 hours. Large double-island hoods or heavily built-up systems can take longer. We give you a realistic estimate before the visit so your kitchen can plan staffing around it.
- Do you clean the ducts as well?
- We clean the visible ductwork entry points during a standard hood clean. Full interior duct cleaning — accessing the duct run above — is a separate service quoted based on duct length and access. We will recommend it if we see heavy buildup past the first section.
- Can we cook the same day after the service?
- Yes. The degreasing products we use are safe for food service environments. The kitchen is ready to operate once we leave.
Other Services
Exhaust Fan Cleaning
Rooftop exhaust fan and housing degreased to prevent grease pooling, motor strain, and mid-service failure.
Learn more →Grease Trap Cleaning
Under-sink grease interceptor pumped, cleaned, and inspected to keep drain lines clear and kitchens compliant.
Learn more →Filter Exchange
Baffle filter swap service — we bring clean filters, install them immediately, and take the used ones off-site to launder.
Learn more →Schedule Hood Cleaning in Fort Lee
Call to set up a visit. We confirm within one business day and schedule around your kitchen hours.
Call (201) 734-5834