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When most commercial kitchen owners think about hood and duct cleaning, they picture a technician arriving, spraying cleaning agents, and walking away. But real, code-compliant exhaust system cleaning involves far more than a quick wipe-down. Fire inspectors, insurance adjusters, and NFPA 96 standards require removal of grease down to bare metal—and that level of detail takes the right cleaning method.

At Flue Steam, we specialize in deep, compliant grease removal using a combined approach: traditional hand scraping plus high-temperature steam cleaning. Each method serves a different purpose, and only when used together can a kitchen exhaust system reach the level of safety necessary to prevent fires and protect your business.

Why Grease Removal Must Be More Than Surface-Level Cleaning

Inside your kitchen’s hoods, ducts, and exhaust system, grease vapor collects every time food hits the grill or fryer. Over time, that residue hardens and forms sticky, flammable buildup. While the surface nearest the hood may look visibly clean, deeper layers of grease often remain hidden along ductwork, fan housings, and hard-to-reach seams.

If a flare-up occurs, these grease layers act as fuel—allowing flames to spread beyond the hood and into your ventilation system. For this reason, fire code does not judge cleanliness by appearance; it requires complete grease removal down to bare metal. That standard is impossible to reach with a single-method cleaning.

What Hand Scraping Accomplishes That Steam Cleaning Alone Cannot

Steam cleaning is powerful, but steam alone will not cut through hardened grease in heavy-volume kitchens. This is where hand scraping becomes critical.

Hand scraping uses specialized tools to manually remove thick layers of grease before steam cleaning begins. Without this step, built-up grease remains trapped beneath the surface—even if the system looks clean from the outside.

Hand scraping is most effective for:

• High-heat cooklines with fryers and grills
• Restaurants or cafeterias operating 12 or more hours a day
• Systems that have not been serviced recently
• Grease-coated areas where steam cannot reach

Steam may soften grease, but scraping is what physically removes it. This is why NFPA 96 guidelines recognize manual scraping as a required component of certified hood and duct cleaning.

How Steam Cleaning Completes the Process

Once scraping removes the bulk of grease buildup, high-temperature steam cleaning finishes the job. Steam reaches deep into corners, seams, duct curves, and fan blades—areas that tools cannot access. It lifts fine grease particles, sanitizes metal surfaces, and leaves the system clean, safe, and odor-free.

Steam cleaning also supports:

• Better airflow and air balance
• Lower HVAC strain
• Reduced smoke and temperature hotspots in the kitchen
• Improved inspection results and documentation

Together, hand scraping and steam cleaning form a complete cleaning cycle—one that goes beyond surface appearance and protects your kitchen from inside the duct system outward.

Why This Matters for Fire Code, Insurance, and Inspections

During a fire or inspection event, documentation and compliance become just as important as the cleaning itself. If investigators find grease buildup inside ducts, even after a recent cleaning, insurance companies may deny claims. Health and fire inspectors can also issue citations or order kitchen shutdowns.

A combined scraping-plus-steam cleaning approach ensures:

• Compliance with NFPA 96 bare-metal standards
• Valid documentation for insurance and regulatory purposes
• Reduced risk of kitchen shutdown due to inspection issues
• Long-term exhaust system performance and lifespan

Flue Steam provides full service reports after every cleaning, giving operators the proof needed for fire code, landlord requirements, and insurance files.

How Often Should Kitchens Schedule Professional Cleaning?

Cleaning frequency depends on cooking volume. High-grease operations may require monthly service, while others may only need quarterly. A professional evaluation from Flue Steam helps determine the right schedule and ensures no portion of your system is overlooked.

Protect Your Kitchen With Proven Deep-Cleaning Methods

Surface-level cleaning may look good—but it will not protect you in an emergency. Only a combination of hand scraping and high-temperature steam cleaning delivers the true bare-metal clean required for safety.

To schedule a full system evaluation or cleaning with Flue Steam, call 800-700-FLUE. Your ventilation system is the frontline defense against commercial kitchen fires—make sure it is maintained with the level of care your business deserves.

Most restaurant owners assume their ventilation is clean because the hood above the cookline looks shiny and spotless. But what matters most—the areas that inspectors and insurance adjusters examine—is what’s happening inside the ductwork that runs above ceilings, behind walls, and into rooftop exhaust fans. Grease buildup inside these hidden ducts is the number-one factor behind devastating kitchen fires, and it is one of the most commonly neglected elements of maintenance.

At Flue Steam, we help commercial kitchens stay compliant, reduce liability, and avoid catastrophic downtime through complete duct system cleaning—not just hood surface polishing.

The Problem You Can’t See: Grease Accumulation Deep Inside the System

Every time pans sizzle or fryers run, grease-laden vapors travel up through the hood and into your duct system. As the air cools, grease condenses and sticks to duct surfaces—layer after layer. Over time, this buildup becomes thick, hardened fuel. Even kitchens that appear visibly clean can have inches of grease inside ducts.

This buildup causes:

• Increased fire risk
• Excess system heat and motor strain
• Poor airflow and higher kitchen temperatures
• Odors that linger no matter how often surfaces are wiped
• Failed inspections due to unclean, inaccessible duct areas

Because grease accumulates in bends, vertical stacks, narrow ducts, and fan housings, it will never be fully removed by hood-only or surface-only cleaning.

Why Hood-Only Cleaning Leaves You Exposed

Some cleaning companies limit service to the visible, reachable areas. While this may improve appearance temporarily, it leaves most of the exhaust pathway untouched.

Hood-only cleaning results in:

• Grease pushed deeper into ducts rather than removed
• A false sense of safety for owners and operators
• Higher legal and insurance liability
• Increased wear on fans, motors, and belts due to restricted airflow

During a fire event, anything less than full-system cleaning can void insurance coverage—and inspectors know how to identify whether ducts were actually serviced.

What a Full-System Duct Cleaning Includes

A professional, code-compliant cleaning is a staged process that reaches every inch of your system—not just what you can see.

At Flue Steam, our full duct cleaning typically includes:

• Access panel installation where ducts are sealed or unreachable
• Grease removal from vertical and horizontal ducts using scraping tools
• High-temperature steam cleaning to strip grease down to bare metal
• Exhaust fan disassembly, blade cleaning, lubrication, and belt inspection
• Documentation and photos confirming bare-metal cleanliness

Adding access points is especially important—without them, grease cannot be removed, only hidden. Fire code requires cleaning “throughout the entire duct system,” not just where a technician can easily reach.

How Duct Cleanliness Impacts Daily Operations

Beyond fire safety, duct buildup affects everyday kitchen comfort and efficiency.

Kitchens with restricted ducts often experience:

• Higher temperatures on the cookline
• Smoke lingering even when the hood is running
• Grease odors traveling into the dining room
• Swamp coolers and HVAC systems working twice as hard

When ducts are clean, air moves freely, temperatures stabilize, and mechanical systems last longer—saving money monthly and extending equipment lifespan.

Compliance, Documentation, and Insurance Protection

NFPA 96 standards require complete removal of grease from hoods, ducts, and fans. Insurance companies increasingly demand proof of cleaning—especially after a fire. Without documentation, business owners may be held financially responsible for damages.

Every cleaning service from Flue Steam includes:

• A written service report
• Before-and-after photos of interior ducts and fans
• A record that protects you during inspections and claims

These documents are as valuable as the cleaning itself—they provide legal and financial protection when it matters most.

Create a Maintenance Plan Before Problems Happen

Reactive cleaning—waiting until smoke is visible or temperatures rise—almost always means the system is already unsafe. A routine cleaning plan based on cooking volume keeps your ducts clean year-round and prevents costly emergency shutdowns.

Most kitchens benefit from monthly, bi-monthly, or quarterly service. Flue Steam can evaluate your system and recommend a schedule tailored to your volume and equipment.

Protect Your Kitchen Behind the Walls

Your ductwork is the hidden backbone of your ventilation system—and the greatest risk if it’s ignored. Full-system cleaning ensures safety, comfort, compliance, and uninterrupted operations.

Schedule a duct system evaluation today by calling 800-700-FLUE. Protect what keeps your kitchen running—starting where it matters most: inside the ducts.

In a commercial kitchen, the exhaust fan might not be the most visible piece of equipment, but it plays one of the most important roles. It is the heart of your ventilation system—pulling heat, smoke, grease-laden vapors, and odors out of the kitchen to help maintain safety, comfort, and compliance. When exhaust fans fail, the consequences can be serious, ranging from inefficient airflow and equipment strain to potential fire hazards.

At Flue Steam, we’ve spent over 40 years helping Southern California kitchens stay safe and code-compliant with professional exhaust fan maintenance, cleaning, and repair.

What Happens When Exhaust Fans Are Neglected

Exhaust fans work daily under intense conditions, especially in high-volume kitchens. When they are not cleaned or serviced regularly, several problems begin to develop—many of them affecting both safety and performance.

Common issues caused by neglected fans include:

• Strained or overheated fan motors
• Reduced ventilation and lingering smoke or odors
• Grease buildup that increases fire risk
• Excess noise or rattling during operation
• Imbalanced airflow that affects kitchen temperature

Eventually, these issues lead to full system failure—causing costly downtime and urgent emergency repairs.

Why Exhaust Fans Are Vital to Fire Prevention

Grease-laden air is constantly being pulled through the ventilation system and into ducts, fans, and hoods. If the fan is not properly maintained, grease begins to accumulate around blades, motor housings, and electrical components. Because grease is highly flammable, even a small spark or heat surge can create a dangerous situation.

Fan-specific fire risks include:

• Ignition from overheated fan components
• Grease buildup acting as fuel during flare-ups
• Fire spreading through ducts if fans can’t expel heat
• Failure of smoke ventilation during emergencies

Regular fan maintenance helps ensure your system catches grease at the source—before it becomes a hazard.

How Exhaust Fan Maintenance Improves Kitchen Air Balance

In any commercial kitchen, air balance is essential. When your exhaust fan isn’t working properly, your kitchen may experience negative pressure—forcing outside air, odors, and even contaminants into your workspace. This can also impact heating and cooling performance and make kitchens uncomfortable for staff.

Properly maintained exhaust fans help:

• Prevent hot air buildup near cooking stations
• Improve airflow efficiency throughout the system
• Reduce strain on HVAC and cooling equipment
• Support effective swamp cooler or make-up air performance

Healthy airflow means a healthier, safer, and more comfortable working environment.

What Professional Exhaust Fan Service Includes

At Flue Steam, we don’t just clean kitchen exhaust fans—we inspect, service, and help prevent future problems. Our maintenance service includes:

• Cleaning blades, housings, and motor areas to remove grease buildup
• Inspecting belts, bearings, and electrical components
• Checking fan balance and vibration issues
• Testing airflow and motor efficiency
• Lubricating mechanical parts to prevent wear
• Identifying safety or code compliance concerns

We also document all service performed, providing valuable records for health inspectors, insurance purposes, and fire code compliance under NFPA 96.

Why Regular Fan Maintenance Saves Money

Chances are, your exhaust fan is running every time your kitchen is active. When it strains to operate due to dirt, grease, or mechanical wear, it uses more energy and increases your utility costs. A poorly maintained fan may need expensive repairs—or worse, full replacement.

Regular maintenance helps:

• Extend equipment lifespan
• Improve energy efficiency
• Reduce costly breakdowns and repair emergencies
• Preserve warranty coverage

A small investment in maintenance goes a long way toward preventing expensive system failures.

Keep Your Fan—and Your Kitchen—Running Smoothly

Your kitchen depends on clean, efficient exhaust fans to stay safe, cool, and compliant. Whether you run a restaurant, hotel, school, or commercial facility, protecting that ventilation system is protecting your business.

Call Flue Steam at 800-700-FLUE to schedule professional exhaust fan maintenance and keep your kitchen protected, compliant, and running at peak performance.

In a busy commercial kitchen, ventilation isn’t just about comfort—it’s about safety, compliance, and protecting your business. When ventilation systems fail to remove heat, smoke, steam, and grease-filled air effectively, conditions can quickly become unsafe for employees and non-compliant with fire, health, and safety regulations. Poor airflow doesn’t merely lead to discomfort—it can trigger serious problems that affect working conditions, fire safety, and inspection outcomes.

At Flue Steam, we’ve seen firsthand how poor ventilation can lead to hazards, failed inspections, and costly shutdowns. Keeping your ventilation system clean, balanced, and functional is essential to protecting both staff and business operations.

What Poor Ventilation Looks (and Feels) Like

When airflow and exhaust systems aren’t working properly, kitchen staff notice the effects quickly. These early warning signs often indicate that your ventilation system needs professional attention:

• Lingering smoke, steam, or fumes in cooking areas
• Strong odors that don’t dissipate
• Overheated workspaces, even with fans or AC
• Moisture on walls, ceilings, and cooking surfaces
• Grease buildup on hoods, ducts, and equipment

These issues don’t just affect comfort—they impact health, safety, and compliance.

How Poor Ventilation Affects Employee Safety

A poorly ventilated kitchen can quickly become a hazardous environment. Excess heat, air contaminants, and moisture put physical stress on staff—and increase risk of injury or illness.

Common safety impacts include:

• Respiratory irritation from smoke and airborne grease
• Headaches or eye irritation from pollutants or fumes
• Slippery floors due to grease settling on surfaces
• Heat stress, fatigue, and dehydration during long shifts
• Low visibility caused by lingering smoke or steam

A clean, properly functioning ventilation system helps protect your team and maintain a safe workplace.

Ventilation’s Role in Fire Prevention and Code Compliance

Grease-laden vapors are one of the biggest fire hazards in commercial kitchens. When airflow is restricted or ducts are coated with grease, a flare-up can quickly turn into a dangerous fire. Poor ventilation also affects air balance, which can disrupt hood performance and reduce the effectiveness of your fire suppression system.

Poor ventilation can lead to:

• NFPA 96 violations
• Failed fire or health inspections
• Increased fire risk and code violations
• Insurance complications after an incident

At Flue Steam, we help kitchens meet safety standards and maintain full documentation to support inspection and compliance requirements.

How Poor Ventilation Leads to Failed Inspections

Even if your equipment is clean and your staff is trained, poor airflow can result in inspection issues. Common violations include:

• Grease buildup inside ducts and fans
• Dirty filters reducing airflow and increasing fire risk
• Imbalanced exhaust systems affecting make-up air
• Missing or undocumented maintenance records
• Mold or bacterial growth from moisture buildup

Inspectors look beyond the surface—they examine whether your ventilation system is working safely and efficiently.

How Professional Ventilation Service Solves These Problems

At Flue Steam, our technicians don’t just clean what you can see—they deep-clean, diagnose, and maintain the full ventilation system to restore safe airflow, reduce fire risk, and improve inspection outcomes.

Our services include:

• Duct and hood cleaning using hand scraping and steam cleaning
• Exhaust fan inspection, repair, and lubrication
• Airflow balancing to restore proper ventilation
• Grease filter exchange service
• Documentation for code and insurance compliance

With routine service, you can keep your kitchen safer, cooler, and fully prepared for inspections.

Protect Your People, Your Business, and Your Reputation

Proper ventilation protects employees, preserves equipment, and ensures compliance. Whether you manage a restaurant, hotel, school, or commercial facility, keeping your ventilation clean and well-maintained is essential.

Call Flue Steam at 800-700-FLUE to schedule a ventilation system evaluation and keep your kitchen safe, comfortable, and inspection-ready.

When it comes to commercial kitchen safety and ventilation, most restaurant owners think of hoods, ducts, and exhaust fans first. But there’s another piece of the puzzle working just as hard behind the scenes—the swamp cooler. This humble device plays a critical role in balancing airflow, controlling temperature, and maintaining a comfortable, code-compliant environment. At Flue Steam, we’ve seen how neglecting swamp cooler maintenance can lead to everything from poor ventilation to full system failure.

What Does a Swamp Cooler Do?

In a commercial kitchen, air balance is everything. Exhaust fans pull hot, greasy air out—but that air has to be replaced with clean, cool air from somewhere else. That’s where your swamp cooler (also called an evaporative cooler or make-up air unit) comes in. It provides fresh, moisture-cooled air to replace what’s being exhausted, helping your ventilation system stay balanced.

Without it, your kitchen can experience:

• Negative air pressure that causes doors to slam or stick
• Reduced exhaust efficiency that allows smoke and grease to linger
• Higher temperatures that stress staff and equipment
• Increased fire risk from inadequate ventilation

Your swamp cooler isn’t just for comfort—it’s a critical part of your kitchen’s fire prevention and ventilation ecosystem.

Common Problems That Arise from Poor Maintenance

Like any mechanical system, swamp coolers need regular attention to perform properly. Neglecting maintenance can cause several costly and hazardous issues, including:

• Mineral buildup: Hard water deposits on pads and pumps reduce cooling efficiency and restrict airflow.
• Mold and bacteria growth: Standing water inside a neglected cooler can become a breeding ground for harmful microorganisms, contaminating the air entering your kitchen.
• Motor and pump failure: Without lubrication and inspection, these parts wear down quickly, leading to overheating and mechanical failure.
• Uneven airflow: A clogged or unbalanced cooler can create pressure issues that compromise your exhaust system’s performance.
• Rust and corrosion: Water leaks and improper drainage can damage metal components and shorten the system’s lifespan.

When left unchecked, these issues don’t just impact comfort—they affect safety and compliance.

The Benefits of Regular Swamp Cooler Service

Professional swamp cooler maintenance with Flue Steam includes a thorough inspection, cleaning, and tune-up designed to keep your system running efficiently. Here’s what you gain from regular service:

• Improved Air Quality: Clean pads and water systems prevent bacteria and odors from entering your workspace.
• Energy Efficiency: A well-maintained unit cools effectively while using less power.
• System Balance: Proper airflow ensures that exhaust fans can pull grease and smoke out efficiently.
• Longer Equipment Life: Regular maintenance reduces wear and prevents premature breakdowns.
• Compliance and Safety: Balanced air pressure and ventilation help you meet fire code and health department standards.

Regular service is especially important before peak cooking seasons, when high heat and heavy usage push your equipment to the limit.

What a Professional Service Includes

When you schedule swamp cooler maintenance with Flue Steam, our experienced technicians perform a complete service, including:

• Inspecting the housing, motor, and pump
• Cleaning or replacing evaporative pads
• Checking water lines, drains, and float valves for proper function
• Adjusting belts, bearings, and electrical connections
• Testing airflow and temperature performance
• Removing debris and buildup from the basin and louvers

We also document our work to support your safety and inspection records—an important step in maintaining compliance with local fire and health codes.

Keep Your Kitchen Comfortable, Compliant, and Safe

A malfunctioning swamp cooler can quickly throw your entire kitchen off balance. Don’t wait until your staff is sweating and your exhaust fans are struggling. Proactive maintenance ensures smooth airflow, lower energy costs, and peace of mind.

Call Flue Steam at 800-700-FLUE today to schedule your swamp cooler service. Our team has been helping Southern California’s commercial kitchens stay cool, compliant, and fire-safe for over 40 years.