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Flue Steam provides a wonderful selection of services to contribute to the continual functionality of your kitchen. Read on to find out about our current offerings and see which services are best for you.

Flue cleaning services

Your kitchen’s flue is an essential element in your kitchen because it removes hot exhaust gases that are constantly created during cooking. Flue cleaning removes the natural oils and fats that become vaporized and drawn into your exhaust system when you cook. Having a properly cleaned flue is highly important to keep your kitchen system working efficiently and to prevent flash fires.

At Flue Steam, we offer clients both hand scraping and steam cleaning services. Hand scraping is the most commonly done method because it just involves physically scraping off the grease accumulation from the exhaust system walls. However, it’s not always thoroughly cleaned via this method because the technician can’t always access all parts of the flue. Steam cleaning involves setting up special equipment and using high-pressure hot water to reach every single part of the flue, achieving the most thorough cleaning.

Maintenance tasks

While flue cleaning is the proverbial “big cheese” service we provide at Flue Steam, we also provide other, rather minor, maintenance-related services, such as checking belts, greasing bearings, and replacing parts.

Fire safety

Since our main focus is on flue cleaning, you’ve probably realized by now that fire safety is very important to our company. We want you and your kitchen to be kept 100% safe from fires, and regular flue cleanings are a big part of that. In addition, we also provide fire safety services for kitchens, such as exchanging your grease filters, automatic fire suppression systems, and portable fire extinguishers. Our assortment of fire safety service is our way of helping you avoid costly kitchen fires.

Emergency service

We know how important having your kitchen in tip-top shape is, so that’s why we offer emergency service to all our wonderful customers. If an urgent need arises with your flue fire safety equipment, it often simply can’t wait until business hours. Get the help you need right away by calling 800-700-FLUE anytime 24/7. One of our company trucks will be right over to meet your need at a reasonable price.

Questions?

If you have any questions or concerns about your kitchen’s flue, fire safety equipment, or anything else, please give us a call at 800-700-FLUE or email contact@fluesteam.com. We’ve been serving all of Southern California since 1971, and our top priority is keeping your kitchen safe and fire-proof. Join us as a regular client, and rest assured that your flue will always be sparkling clean, and your risk of a flash fire will diminish dramatically. Call 800-700-FLUE or email contact@fluesteam.com to get started today!

If you’ve been operating a restaurant for more than a month or so, you know that cleaning your grease filters can be a huge hassle. You and your staff have so much on your minds that it can be hard to remember to clean grease filters regularly. On the other hand, it’s one essential task that can’t be neglected. Government regulations aside, dirty grease filters can be major fire hazard. Clean filters can trap up to 70-80% of the grease that passes through them, but grease-saturated filters don’t work properly. Your entire cooking system won’t function efficiently, and there will be a dangerous accumulation of grease right above our cooking appliances. One spark and your entire kitchen could be set ablaze.

Don’t risk it!

Let your staff focus on what they do best—preparing amazing food for your guests to enjoy each day. Let Flue Steam take care of cleaning your grease filters. You’ll get amazing peace of mind from knowing that your grease filters are taken care of without you having to stress out about them all the time.

How Grease Filter Service Works

Call Flue Steam at 800-700-FLUE to initiate grease filter cleaning and replacement services. We’ll discuss your grease filter needs and set up a regular schedule for you. Then, at the specified intervals, a qualified grease filter technician will deliver sparkling clean filters right to your kitchen, right when you need them.

Recommendations

Most restaurants accumulate rather large amounts of grease on their grease filters, so changing them every 2 weeks is recommended. However, if your restaurant staff doesn’t use much grease or oil, filters can be changed every 4 weeks. We can discuss your cooking practices with you and provide you with tailored recommendations for proper care of your grease filters.

New filters, too

Not only do we provide grease filter cleaning services, we can also provide you with replacement filters when the need arises. We carry most sizes of high quality Kason and Flame Guard brand grease filters. Plus we purchase grease filters in bulk, saving you money every time you need a new grease filter. Our technicians would be glad to examine your current grease filters at regular intervals and let you know if they need to be replaced.

History of Flue Steam

With Flue Steam, you never have to worry about maintaining your grease filters again! Check one important item off your To Do list when you contact Flue Steam today. We have been serving Southern California restaurants for over 40 years, so you can count on us to deliver excellent grease filter service every single time. This service has been found to be incredibly helpful for restaurants throughout the state because it significantly reduces the risk of exhaust system fires.

Contact us now

With Flue Steam, you’re in good hands. Call 800-700-FLUE or email contact@fluesteam.com to set up an appointment or emergency service today.

Fires are one of the biggest concerns for restaurant owners and managers. However, with the right knowledge, the right practices, and the right services, you can have a business that is free of fires.

While nothing can guarantee complete security from fires, these simple tips will make your restaurant safer for years…

Tips for Preventing Restaurant Fires

Install an Automatic Fire-Suppression System

The first thing you can do to prevent fires in your restaurant is to install an automatic fire-suppression system.  These is a crucial step because the majority of restaurant fires  involve cooking equipment, but a fire-suppression system in a restaurant is designed to automatically dispense the right chemicals to deal with fires involving cooking oils and other materials found in kitchens.

Regular Service for Fire Suppression System

Just installing the automatic fire suppression system isn’t enough. You also need regular maintenance. How often you need to have your fire suppression system serviced will depend on a few factors, so always talk with a professional who understands the needs of your system and can make sure it is ready to put out any fire that comes around.

Throughly Clean the Exhaust Ducts on a Regular Basis

Your exhaust system is designed to remove hot air from your kitchen and release it outside through a duct system. However, it also serves the function of removing vaporized grease in the air. This grease can build up in the duct system, and if it gets too hot, a dangerous and destructive fire can ignite. With regular cleaning, however, the chances of a grease fire in your ducts are significantly reduced.

Train Employees on Fire Prevention and Suppression

All of your employees, from top-level managers to newly-hired servers should understand the steps for fire prevention and suppression. Train them on the right practices to prevent a fire from breaking out, and make sure they understand what to do if a fire does occur. This training should include the use of fire extinguishers and when to evacuate the building.

Keep a Clean and Uncluttered Kitchen and Storage Area

A clean area is one of the most proactive things you can do to prevent fires. Not only will it make your restaurant look more appealing to your customers, it will also reduce the chances of a fire from spreading. Make sure all combustible items are properly stored, and dispose of rags and other flammable trash in a container that is far from the kitchen. Clean up all grease spills thoroughly, and store flammable liquids in a puncture-resistant container that has been tightly sealed.

Have Fire Extinguishers Serviced Regularly

Like the automatic fire-suppression system, your fire extinguishers will need to be serviced regularly as well. Working with a team that not only supplies fire extinguishers but services them as well will help you get everything you need for a safe, fire-free restaurant.

Get Complete Air Control and Fire Prevention Service

Contact Flue Steam today to learn more about our reliable services. We can help you have a restaurant that is free of dangerous fires and air problems, so call now!

While having fire prevention measures in your restaurant is essential, nothing can guarantee a fire won’t start. For this reason, every business, especially kitchens, should have the right fire extinguisher ready at all times.

So what do you need to know about fire extinguishers? Keep reading to find out…

Important Fire Extinguisher Information for Restaurants

There is a Large Variety of Extinguishers to Fight Different Fires

Fires are classified differently depending on what is being burned, and different fire extinguishers are built to combat specific types. For example, a Class A fire is fueled by solid materials like wood, cloth, paper, and plastic. Technically, a camp fire is a Class A fire. Restaurants with wood-burning stoves are at risk for these types of fires. Class B fires involve flammable liquids like gasoline, tar, petroleum grease, and lacquers. Fires involving electrical circuits are considered Class C fires, while Class D fires are fueled by combustible metals like magnesium or potassium. Knowing which fires present a risk to your restaurant, and having the right extinguisher, is very important.

Must Have a Class K Fire Extinguisher

A Class K fire involved cooking oils or fats, and it is one of the most common types of fires in restaurants and kitchens. Therefore, having a Class K fire extinguisher, which contains a blend of potassium acetate and potassium citrate, is essential for any restaurant. One of the biggest dangers in a kitchen fire is splashing hot oil, but a Class K fire extinguisher sprays a mist to gently suffocate the fire. The chemicals from the extinguisher also create a barrier between the heated oil and oxygen so a fire can’t reignite.

Employees Should Be Trained in Use of Fire Extinguisher

It’s not enough to simply have a Class K fire extinguisher. Everyone on the restaurant’s staff, from the general manager to the newly-hired waitress should be trained on using the extinguisher. Local fire departments will often hold training sessions, and sending your employees, especially your kitchen staff, to these events could some day save your restaurant and could possibly lower your insurance rates.

Fire Extinguishers Don’t Last Forever

Most people, especially restaurant owners and managers, are aware that fire extinguishers have a shelf life and will need to be serviced within a set amount of time. Knowing when your fire extinguisher is set to expire is important, but there are also some situations that require immediate attention.

First and foremost, if it has been used, it should be serviced to ensure that it still has enough pressure and chemicals. If the nozzle or hose look worn, or if the handle is wobbly, you may have a problem. If the locking pin is missing or unsealed, or if the inspection sticker or tag is missing or incorrect, don’t wait for an inspector to find out, get it replaced or serviced immediately.

Complete Fire Extinguisher Service for Southern California

Contact Flue Steam today to learn more about our fire safety services, including replacement and service for fire extinguishers of all types.

You can have the right item for your restaurant, so give is a call today.

IKECA membership is the number one criteria to look for in your commercial kitchen exhaust cleaner.

Are you looking for a contractor you can trust to clean your commercial kitchen exhaust system? Make sure you choose an IKECA member. Companies who have earned membership in the International Kitchen Exhaust Cleaning Association do better work and provide better peace of mind. Here are the top 5 benefits of hiring a certified company like Flue Steam.

We Clean to the Highest Standard

The number one reason to always use an IKECA-certified contractor for your commercial kitchen exhaust system cleaning is that our employees are fully trained in proper cleaning techniques and held to a high standard in their work.

Being able to trust your kitchen exhaust cleaning contractor to do excellent work is extremely important, because it can be difficult for you to visually confirm that the work has been done properly. Some uncertified companies take advantage of this and only clean the easy-to-see areas, but Flue Steam really will clean every inch of your exhaust system to the bare metal every time.

We Keep Up with Industry Advances

Unlike many trade skills organizations, IKECA does not award certifications for life. Instead, member companies and their workers must continue their education to maintain their certification. This means that if a company has an IKECA certification, you know that they are completely up to date on the latest best practices for proper exhaust system cleaning and will be implementing those techniques in your kitchen, not plugging along with some decades-old strategy.

We Won’t Guess at Your Cleaning Needs

Some companies may advise all their clients to get monthly service, regardless of whether their grease accumulation actually merits this. At Flue Steam, we have learned how to use the IKECA comb to measure grease deposits in your ducts, determine the rate of accumulation, and set a cleaning schedule accordingly. This schedule will ensure you get cleanings before grease deposits reach critical levels but also save you from the cost of unnecessary cleanings.

We Can Improve Your Exhaust System

Your average exhaust cleaning contractor is satisfied to just do the best job they can based on the architecture of your ducts. This may leave some areas improperly cleaned. As an IKECA-certified contractor, we understand the requirements for access panels and how this affects cleaning. If your system is missing access panels, we can install new code-compliant ones at the proper intervals for you.

We Keep Code Inspectors Happy

One final reason to always choose a certified kitchen exhaust cleaning company is that our work will always satisfy your local fire code inspectors, saving you from costly code violations and restaurant closures.