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Mall requesting increase in cleaning frequency for my restaurant
Mall requesting increase in cleaning frequency for my restaurant
QUESTION
I own a fast food restaurant in a mall location. How often should I clean my hoods? (Two fry vat grill) The grill has it own hood. I was cleaning them every 4 months. Now the mall is asking to clean them every month. I feel that I am just burning my money on the every month cleaning. Thank you.
ANSWER
The National Fire Protection Association Standard (NFPA 96) for Commercial Kitchens states that systems serving high-volume cooking operations (24-hour cooking, charbroiling, or wok cooking) be inspected on a quarterly basis. If found to be contaminated (greasy) during this inspection, the entire system is to be cleaned. So as per NFPA 96, you are following the rules. For a copy of these requirements, visit www.nfpa.org.
You did not specify the mall’s reason for requesting more frequent cleaning, so I’ve covered a few typical problems. These issues listed can most likely be helped without increasing the cleaning frequency. If strong cooking odors are found outside the kitchen area, there could be a problem with the draw efficiency of the fan. You should have your fan serviced. If grease is not being properly removed from your exhaust system (or is dripping out of your system), you can discuss any system deficiencies with your exhaust cleaner – any reason why the cleaner cannot properly complete the cleaning. If the mall rooftop is becoming contaminated with grease around your restaurant fan, you can install a grease containment system (see www.flamegard.com).
Close inspection of the system on a regular basis will best establish the cleaning frequency (and will give you a report that you can then pass onto the mall stating this suggested frequency). You can contact us for a list of certified exhaust cleaners capable to do this inspection.
Ultimately you will have to discuss these or any other issues with the mall. Depending on the agreement you have with the mall, they may have the authority to request your restaurant's cleaning frequency. However, if you provide proof to back your opinion of frequency (NFPA 96 Standard requirements, a cleaning frequency inspection report, etc), or options on how to handle the issues (fan servicing, grease containment systems, etc), you will be better prepared for the discussion.