How Often Should You Schedule Hood Cleaning?

May 9, 2025

Protect Your Kitchen, Staff, and Business by Knowing the Right Cleaning Schedule for Your Exhaust System.

If you’re not sure how often to clean your hood system , you’re not alone. A lot of restaurant owners and kitchen managers play the guessing game - until grease buildup, bad smells, or a surprise inspection make the decision for them. At Elite Pressure Pros, we make it simple. Here’s how to know exactly when your kitchen hood needs cleaning.


What NFPA 96 Says About Cleaning Frequency:

The National Fire Protection Association (NFPA 96) is the gold standard for commercial kitchen exhaust cleaning . Their guidelines are based on usage:

 

High-volume kitchens (24/7, wok stations, fryers): every 1 month

Medium-volume kitchens (restaurants, busy cafes): every 3 months

Low-volume kitchens (churches, seasonal use): every 6 to 12 months

 

Translation: If you cook greasy food often, your hood needs frequent attention.


Other Factors That Affect Cleaning Schedules:

NFPA 96 is the baseline—but real-life variables matter too. We recommend cleaning more often if:

 

  • You run a fryer-heavy or high-grease menu
  • You’ve noticed strong odors or smoke lingering
  • Your filters are visibly dirty or coated in buildup
  • Your rooftop fan is struggling to ventilate properly
  • You’ve had a recent fire inspection or insurance audit


The Risks of Waiting Too Long:

Delaying hood cleaning can lead to:

 

  • Code violations
  • Grease fires
  • Fines from fire marshals or health inspectors
  • Higher repair bills when systems break from overuse
  • Unhappy employees from poor air quality

 

We’ve seen it all—and we know how expensive neglect can get.


Why Elite Pressure Pros Tracks This for You:

We don’t just clean and disappear. We:

 

  • Track your next due date
  • Provide before/after photos
  • Log every job for your records
  • Help you build a repeatable cleaning schedule
  • You’ll never wonder “when’s the last time we cleaned that?” again.

 


Need a Professional Opinion?

Let us take a look. We’ll inspect your system and tell you—honestly—when it needs cleaning. No pressure, no BS. Just the facts, from your local hood cleaning pros.


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