Kitchen Exhaust & Hood Cleaning
Hood Filter Cleaning in Hyattsville, MD
Filters catch the grease first. Keeping them clean is the cheapest, fastest way to protect the rest of your exhaust system.
Why hood filters are the first line of defense
Hood filters sit just inside the canopy and take the first hit from every pan on your line. Their baffled design forces grease-laden air through tight turns, so grease sticks to the filter instead of traveling on into the duct. When the filters are clean, most of your grease ends up on something that is easy to wash. When they are saturated, grease passes through to the plenum and ductwork, where it is hard to reach.
A loaded filter also restricts airflow, so the hood pulls less smoke and heat off the line. And a filter that is bent, missing or loose lets grease bypass entirely.
Filter cleaning is a smaller job than a full hood cleaning, and many kitchens need it more often. It is a good fit for restaurants that want an in-between service, and it is included whenever we clean the whole hood.
Signs your hood filters need cleaning
- Grease dripping from the filters into the cups or onto the cooking line
- Filters that look dark, wet or clogged with a thick film
- Weak suction at the hood, with smoke hanging around the line
- Bent, warped or missing filters in the track
- A rancid smell when the hood is running
How we clean hood filters
Remove the filters
We pull each filter from its track, noting its position so it goes back the same way.
Degrease
Filters are soaked or sprayed with degreaser to break down baked-on grease inside the baffles.
Rinse and inspect
Each filter is rinsed clean and checked for dents, gaps and damage that would let grease pass.
Clean the track and cup
The filter track and the grease cup under it are cleaned so grease has a clear path to the collection point.
Reinstall
Dry filters go back in the correct orientation, and we report any that should be replaced.
What affects the price of filter cleaning
Filter cleaning is priced by what is in the hood and what shape it is in:
- Number and size of filters. More filters, and larger ones, mean more time.
- How loaded they are. Filters coated for months take more soaking and scrubbing than recently cleaned ones.
- Condition. Damaged filters may need replacing, which is separate from cleaning.
- Frequency. A regular filter service is faster each time than a first cleaning after a long gap.
- Bundling. Combining filters with a hood cleaning is more efficient than two separate visits.
Why choose us for hood filter cleaning
We clean filters properly instead of just rinsing them, because grease inside a baffle does not come out with a quick spray. An insured, owner-operated crew handles every filter job.
We also tell you if your filters are the wrong type. Mesh-style filters are generally not acceptable on commercial hoods under NFPA 96, which calls for listed baffle filters, so check with your inspector if you are unsure what you have.
We clean hood filters for restaurants in and around Hyattsville, including Hyattsville, MD and Takoma Park, MD.
Hood filter cleaning questions
How often should hood filters be cleaned?
More often than the rest of the exhaust system, because they catch the most grease. The right interval depends on your cooking volume. Heavy fryer and grill use means more frequent cleaning.
Can I wash my own filters?
Many kitchens soak or run filters through a dish machine between professional cleanings. A professional degrease reaches the buildup deep in the baffles that a quick wash misses.
Why are my filters dripping grease?
Dripping means the filters are saturated and can no longer hold more grease. They need cleaning now, and the grease cups below them need emptying.
Do my filters need replacing?
Dented, warped or missing filters let grease bypass them and should be replaced. We will point out any we find while cleaning.
Is filter cleaning included in a hood cleaning?
Yes. Filters are part of every hood cleaning we do. Filter cleaning on its own is for kitchens that need an in-between visit.
Related services
Restaurant Hood Cleaning
Degrease the hood canopy and the exhaust path above your cooking line so grease never builds up unseen.
Learn more →
Grease Duct Cleaning
Clear the ductwork between hood and rooftop, the hidden stretch where most dangerous grease collects.
Learn more →
Exhaust Fan Cleaning
Clean the rooftop fan that pulls grease-laden air out of the kitchen, where the heaviest buildup collects.
Learn more →Get your hood filters cleaned
Tell us how many hoods you run and what you cook. We will quote the filter cleaning.