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Stop Worrying about Code Violations and Let Us Help Keep Your Commercial Kitchen in Compliance

April 21, 2022
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If you manage a commercial kitchen, you must be knowledgeable of and up to date on a variety of codes. You could face significant fines if an inspector turns up unexpectedly and discovers a dirty chimney or similar code-breaking issue. This has the potential to completely destroy not only your reputation in the community, but also your financial line. You’ll have to close for a particular amount of time, losing valuable revenue each day, and you’ll have to pay a hefty fine to reopen.

Don’t take any chances! In your commercial kitchen, be sure you follow each code to the letter every day. You’ll be glad you did since you won’t have to deal with the stress of dealing with violation consequences.

But how are you going to remain on top of every code and ensure that your commercial kitchen is always compliant? You already have enough on your plate on a daily basis; adding more to your To Do list is simply not an option. You already don’t have enough hours in your day!

Flue Steam can help with it. Start working with Flue Steam today, and you’ll never have to worry about key violations in your commercial kitchen again. We provide a wide range of services to help you succeed as a kitchen manager. Keep reading to learn more and then contact us at 800-700-FLUE for help.

We offer many services

The list of services we offer is long and includes:

  • Cleaning the kitchen exhaust system (including hand scraping and steam cleaning)
  • Hoods, fans, and ducts
  • Service for changing grease filters
  • Upkeep of swamp coolers
  • Maintenance of exhaust fans
  • Service for automatic fire suppression systems
  • Sales and service of portable fire extinguishers
  • Cleaning of the entire kitchen exhaust system

Every day in your commercial kitchen will be significantly cleaner and safer when you work with Flue Steam. We’ll keep your exhaust system clean and compliant so you may focus on more important tasks. Let us take this time-consuming, unpleasant – but necessary – duty off your hands for good. After each job, we give “Certificates of Performance” stickers as confirmation that you’ve met your NFPA code duties. Working with Flue Steam could potentially save you money on your insurance premiums!

We’ll inspect your exhaust fan for free when we clean your kitchen exhaust system. We’ll inspect the fan, belts, and lubricate the bearings of your fan. If your belts are worn out and you have a replacement on hand, we’ll gladly install it for you for free. It’s just another way of showing that we care about your exhaust system working properly and staying cleaner for longer.

Service for changing grease filters

Grease filters that are kept clean catch 70-80% of the grease that goes through them. If it becomes too full, it will be unable to work correctly, resulting in a dangerous buildup of grease directly over your cooking appliances. Enlist the help of Flue Steam to replace your grease filters on a regular basis so that you and your employees always have clean, functional grease filters.

Call 800-700-FLUE to start your collaboration with Flue Steam now. Why don’t you join the many local commercial kitchen managers who have found the immense benefits of collaborating with Flue Steam?

Back to Basics: These Are the Things You Should Know about Our Grease Filter Exchange Program

April 7, 2022
Back to Basics: These Are the Things You Should Know about Our Grease Filter Exchange Program

If you’ve been running a restaurant for more than a month, you’re well aware that cleaning grease filters is a major pain. With so much on your mind, it might be difficult to remember to clean grease filters on a regular basis. However, it is an important responsibility that must not be overlooked.

Regardless of government rules, filthy grease filters can pose a significant fire risk. Filters that are clean can catch up to 80% of the grease that goes through them, but grease-saturated filters are ineffective. Your complete kitchen system will be inefficient, and a dangerous accumulation of grease will form directly over our cooking appliances. Your entire kitchen might catch fire with just one spark. Keep reading to learn how Flue Steam can help and then call us at 800-700-FLUE for help.

Don’t take any chances

Allow your employees to concentrate on what they do best: creating delicious meals for your customers to enjoy every day. Allow Flue Steam to clean your grease filters for you. Knowing that your grease filters are taken care of without you having to worry about them all of the time will give you incredible peace of mind.

How does a grease filter service operate?

To schedule grease filter cleaning and replacement, call Flue Steam at 800-700-FLUE. We’ll talk about your grease filter requirements and draw up a maintenance program for you. A skilled grease filter expert will then deliver sparkling clean filters to your kitchen at the appropriate intervals, just when you need them.

Recommendations

Grease filters in most restaurants acquire a lot of grease, therefore changing them every two weeks is suggested. Filters can be changed every four weeks if your restaurant staff does not use much fat or oil. We can talk to you about your cooking habits and make specific recommendations for maintaining your grease filters.

We bring new filters

Not only can we clean grease filters, but we can also provide replacement filters if necessary. We stock grease filters from Kason and Flame Guard in a variety of sizes. Furthermore, we buy grease filters in bulk, saving you money every time you need one. At regular intervals, our technicians will inspect your current grease filters and let you know if they need to be updated.

We are here to help you

You’ll never have to worry about maintaining your grease filters again with Flue Steam! When you contact Flue Steam today, you may cross one item off your To Do list. We’ve been providing outstanding grease filter service to Southern California restaurants for over 40 years, so you can count on us every time. This service has shown to be extremely beneficial to restaurants across the state, as it dramatically minimizes the risk of exhaust system fires.

Please contact us immediately. You’re in good hands with Flue Steam. To schedule an appointment or receive emergency service, call 800-700-FLUE or email contact@fluesteam.com today.

Fire Prevention Tips Every Restaurant Owner and Manager Needs to Read

March 23, 2022
Fire Prevention Tips Every Restaurant Owner and Manager Needs to Read

One of the most significant worries for restaurant owners and managers is fires. You may, however, have a fire-free business with the correct information, practices, and services. While nothing can ensure full fire safety, following these simple guidelines can keep your restaurant safer for years to come. Keep reading and then contact Flue Steam at 800-700-FLUE if you need additional help with fire prevention and automatic fire suppression systems.

Install a fire-suppression system that works automatically

Installing an automated fire-suppression system is the first step in preventing fires in your restaurant. Because the majority of restaurant fires involve cooking equipment, a restaurant’s fire-suppression system is intended to automatically dispense the appropriate chemicals to deal with flames involving cooking oils and other kitchen materials.

Service for the fire suppression system on a regular basis

It is not sufficient to just install an automated fire suppression system. You must also maintain your vehicle on a regular basis. The frequency with which you should have your fire suppression system maintained is determined by a number of factors, so always consult with a professional who is familiar with your system’s requirements and can ensure that it is ready to put out any fire that arises.

Clean the exhaust ducts thoroughly on a regular basis

The purpose of your exhaust system is to take hot air from your kitchen and distribute it outdoors via a duct system. It does, however, serve the purpose of eliminating vaporized oil from the air. Grease may build up in the duct system, and if it gets too hot, it can start a hazardous and catastrophic fire. However, by cleaning your ducts on a regular basis, the risks of a grease fire in your ducts are greatly decreased.

Employees should be trained in fire prevention and suppression

The measures for fire prevention and suppression should be understood by all of your personnel, from top-level managers to freshly recruited servers. Make sure kids know how to avoid a fire and what to do if one does break out. The usage of fire extinguishers and when to escape the premises should be included in this training.

Maintain a clutter-free kitchen and storage area

One of the most proactive things you can do to avoid fires is to keep the environment clean. It will not only improve the appearance of your restaurant to your guests, but it will also lessen the risks of a fire spreading. Make sure any flammable things are kept appropriately, and dispose of rags and other flammable waste in a container away from the kitchen. All grease spills should be completely cleaned, and flammable liquids should be stored in a puncture-resistant container that has been firmly sealed.

Fire extinguishers should be serviced on a regular basis

Your fire extinguishers, like your automated fire suppression system, will need to be maintained on a regular basis. Working with a company that not only sells but also services fire extinguishers will ensure that you have all you need for a safe, fire-free restaurant.

Get complete fire prevention and air control services

To learn more about our dependable services, contact Flue Steam now. We can assist you in having a restaurant that is free of harmful fires and air quality issues, so give us a call right away at 800-700-FLUE!

Do You Have the Right Portable Fire Extinguisher for Your Restaurant’s Needs?

March 10, 2022
Do You Have the Right Portable Fire Extinguisher for Your Restaurant’s Needs?

If you own or run a commercial kitchen, fire rules require you to have portable fire extinguishers in addition to an automatic fire suppression system. This ensures that staff can swiftly put out a fire that may start in an area that isn’t covered by the automatic fire suppression system. Before you purchase items to safeguard your kitchen, here’s what you should know about portable fire extinguishers.

Fire classes

Before you start shopping for fire extinguishers, think about the many sorts of fires that might happen in your kitchen. Depending on the materials burnt, fires are classified into the following categories:

  • Organic materials such as wood, linen, paper, and many polymers are classified as Class A.
  • Flammable liquids such as solvents, lacquers, petroleum greases, tars, and other flammable liquids are classified as Class B.
  • Energized electrical equipment is classified as Class C.
  • Flammable cooking medium, such as oils and fats, are classified as Class K.

Portable Fire Extinguishers are available in two different types

Depending on the sort of fire that portable fire extinguishers are meant to combat, different extinguishing chemicals are used. Consider the following scenario:

  • ABC Fire Extinguishers are a multi-purpose fire extinguisher that may be used in both the home and the business. To put out Class A, B, and C flames, they employ a chemical called mono ammonium phosphate. Because this chemical is corrosive, it must be cleaned up as soon as possible after usage.
  • Grease fire extinguishers, also known as Class K fire extinguishers, are particularly intended to put out grease fires in industrial kitchens. To prevent oil from splashing and spreading the fire, they spray a mist of potassium acetate and potassium citrate into the flames rather than a stream. The chemical will assist prevent the fire from re-igniting when it settles on the cooking appliances.

Pay attention to UL ratings

Underwriters Laboratory (UL) analyzes portable fire extinguishers and assigns ratings to them based on their performance. When putting out a fire, the first figure in the rating always represents how the extinguisher compares to 1.25 gallons of water.

On a Class K fire, for example, a product rated 2A:K would be twice as effective as 1.25 gallons of water (or 2.5 gallons). A second number on ABC extinguishers indicates the amount of square footage it can handle. A 4A:80B:C extinguisher, for example, would hold the equivalent of 5 gallons of water and cover 80 square feet.

Non-rechargeable vs. rechargeable

There are rechargeable and non-rechargeable variants of most portable fire extinguishers. Rechargeable extinguishers are strongly recommended for commercial kitchens by Flue Steam. This sort of portable fire extinguisher is more expensive up front, but it provides superior value over time because it may be replenished rather than thrown after each use. Contact us at 800-700-FLUE for help finding the right fire extinguisher.

There Are Two Main Reasons Clean Grease Filters Are So Important in Commercial Kitchens

February 23, 2022
There Are Two Main Reasons Clean Grease Filters Are So Important in Commercial Kitchens

Exhaust hoods and ductwork are given a lot of attention in the realm of commercial kitchen exhaust system cleaning. Grease filters, on the other hand, are an essential component of the puzzle. In a commercial kitchen, grease filters serve two critical functions. Read on to learn more and then contact Flue Steam at 800-700-FLUE to learn about our kitchen cleaning services.

Safety

The primary purpose of a clean grease filter is to aid in the reduction of fire threats in commercial kitchens. Grease particles are caught as grease-laden air flows past the filter. As a result, less grease enters the ducts, where it can cause major fire hazards. Some grease filters have a spark arrestor mechanism that prevents sparks created by cooking with solid fuels like wood or charcoal from entering the ductwork, providing even additional fire safety.

Proper Airflow

The second function of a clean grease filter is to aid in proper kitchen airflow. The excess grease that would build on the walls of your ducting without a grease filter might actually increase drag inside the ducts. This would force your exhaust fan to run continuously, thereby increasing system wear and tear. Smoke and smells would be a problem in the kitchen due to the limited ventilation.

Unfortunately, a grease filter’s performance degrades as it becomes more clogged. A clogged grease filter may be a fire danger in and of itself, as well as restricting airflow even more than clogged ducts.

How to Maintain the Cleanliness of Your Grease Filters

Commercial kitchen grease filters may become dirty rapidly, but the good news is that they are meant to be cleaned and reused. To begin, have your employees examine the grease filters at the end of each day. The filters should be removed and cleaned if they seem oily. Most grease filters may be readily cleaned by scrubbing them with a solvent, letting them sit for a time, and then washing them in your industrial dishwasher.

But what if your employees don’t have time to do these tasks? What if your kitchen is open 24 hours a day and you can never leave your equipment without grease filters? You can ensure that your grease filters are clean by using Flue Steam‘s grease filter exchange service.

Every week or so, we’ll come out and remove your old, dirty filters and replace them with new ones. This doesn’t mean you’ll have to buy new filters every time; instead, we’ll clean your old ones and return them to you on your next visit. To take use of this service, you simply need two sets of filters.

Please contact 800-700-FLUE right now to learn more about receiving grease filter swap service on a schedule that fits for your company.