DIY vs. Professional Kitchen Exhaust Cleaning: Which Is Right for You?

Kitchens are the number 1 source of building fires in Australia, according to the AIRAH. Using fire exhaust properly can reduce the risk of fires. However, exhaust maintenance is also necessary. Professional kitchen exhaust cleaning services can conveniently do this. Yet, many owners like to opt for DIY cleaning methods as it appears less costly. It’s important to consider different factors before making a choice.  For example, standards of cleaning, safety and frequency, etc., need to be evaluated. This article will help you make an informed decision with a thorough comparison.

Professional vs DIY Exhaust Hood Cleaning

Exhaust is a complex system of ducts, fans, and filters. It requires expertise for their cleaning and maintenance. Take into account the following factors before making up your mind.

Expertise and Experience

If you want the exhaust to be treated by experience, then obviously, you have to hire professionals. They are trained to clean the machine properly. Many cleaning companies have been in service for decades. And when it comes to DIY cleaning, owners are often not experienced. Lack of expertise can lead to errors and accidents. You can fall, get cuts and burns, face chemical exposure, or damage the exhaust.

Time-saving Cleaning Solutions

Professionals are used to working on kitchen exhaust system maintenance. They understand it properly and know how the cleaning process works. Being professionals, they can do it faster. Since you will do it occasionally, it will take more time for you. For commercial places, time is important. If the cleaning takes longer, this will disrupt productivity.

Cleaning Equipment and Tools

Kitchen exhaust cleaning is not an easy task. You’ll need different tools for the work. It includes the following:

• Degreasing cleaners
• Heavy-duty scrub brushes
• Industrial grade vacuum
• Pressure washers
• Steam cleaners
• Commercial-grade cleaning products
• Chemical-resistant gloves
• Protective eyewear, etc.

You may have some of these items at home or in your commercial space like restaurants, and bars. But many of them are professional tools. Without them, the final result won’t be satisfying. Therefore, it’s better to opt for professional cleaners so that the cleaning is done with advanced equipment.

Cost of Kitchen Exhaust Cleaning

It may seem costly to hire commercial cleaners. However, if you compare the broader aspects, it will appear different. For DIY cleaning, you will have to spend on purchasing cleaning products and tools. These tools are expensive and often require expensive repair. Besides, DIY cleaning can lead to hidden costs. Professionals reduce grease accumulation and ensure the machine is working fine. It’s important for fire hazard prevention. A fire can be fatal and financially drastic. Besides, standards need to be maintained in a commercial kitchen. DIY cleaning can fail to meet the standard, which can result in fines and affect reputation.

Maintaining Health and Air Quality

Kitchen exhausts play a crucial role in maintaining indoor air quality. About 4.3 million people die every year due to indoor air pollution, according to the WHO. Commercial kitchen exhaust cleaning ensures airflow efficiency. It’s crucial for maintaining a healthy environment. Professional kitchen duct cleaning removes grease and contaminants. This ensures safety for your family members, working staff, and visitors. DIY cleaning is often not as effective as professionals.

Cleaning Frequency

The frequency of cleaning is a major factor. If you need to clean the kitchen often, this will disrupt the workflow. Besides, regular cleaning will add up to the cost and time consumption.

Commercial cleaners can deep clean the exhaust and reduce the need for frequent cleaning. However, without the right tools and expertise, DIY cleaning results are not long-lasting. This will lead to more frequent cleaning and hamper business time in commercial kitchens. This becomes a problem for homeowners as they can’t always manage time. This leads to negligence in cleaning and increases fire risks.

Grease Buildup Removal

Grease buildup removal is essential for exhaust cleaning. DIY cleaning may not remove all grease. Some of them may be left behind. This can lead to fire hazards and reduced efficiencies. For a thorough job and improved safety, professional cleaning is the better choice. Experts use specialised tools and strong degreasers to thoroughly clean the system.

Safety Standards for Cleaning

Kitchen exhaust cleaning is a complex process. It has multiple tasks to do. Cleaning companies follow the AS 1851-2012 checklist to ensure the exhaust is in good condition. The various parts of the process include the following:

• Ventilation Cleaning
• Ductwork Inspection
• Removing and cleaning grease filters
• Checking and cleaning the hood and canopy
• Inspecting and clearing drain lines, etc.

It requires skills and training to do all these efficiently. Otherwise, the end result might not be satisfying. Let the professionals handle it for a stress-free, convenient, and better cleaning result.

Waste Disposal Assistance

Professional services also offer post-cleaning waste disposal assistance. They know how to safely remove and dispose of grease, chemicals, and other waste. This prevents hazardous situations and environmental pollution. In DIY cleaning, you may not have proper facilities for the disposal. Improper disposal of exhaust waste can pollute the air and also have an impact on your health.

Final Thought

Kitchen exhaust is an important part of building safety. It reduces fire hazard risks and improves indoor air quality. Though DIY cleaning is okay for regular cleaning, you need professionals for inspection, maintenance, and deep cleaning. The frequency depends on how often the kitchen is used.  This will ensure the exhaust is working properly and that it maintains safety. Eco Cleaning Brisbane has trained and skilled professionals to help. They use eco-cleaning products that improve cleaning efficiency and maintain indoor quality. Their 20+ years of experience proves their efficiency and authenticity in reliable cleaning.