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While us Southern Californians don’t really get typical fall weather, like New England and much of the rest of the country does, we can still enjoy a yummy pumpkin spice latte with the rest of Americans in October and November. Does your restaurant have a seasonal-inspired menu that’s featuring fall favorites like apple spiced pork, butternut squash, and sweet potato pie? You can get so creative with fall produce—why not?

Safety is #1

While the creative side of owning and/or operating a restaurant was likely one of the biggest draws to the food industry, the only way you’ll be able to execute your vision is by having set policies in place to ensure the safety and functionality of your kitchen. No restaurant can thrive if there are constant fire hazards that could lead to disaster, and fines for failing to follow city codes can be incredibly burdensome for new restaurants.

Services we offer at Flue Steam

We at Flue Steam provide restaurant owners and operators provide complete flue, exhaust system, and grease filter exchange services. We can also with regular maintenance of these components by checking belts, greasing bearings, and replacing parts. Let us handle all the heavy lifting to ensure your kitchen remains as safe as possible so you can focus on the more fun, creative aspects of the restaurant.

How it works

All you have to do is call 800-700-FLUE or email contact@fluesteam.com to schedule service. We can offer you personalized recommendations for which services would be most beneficial for your particular restaurant and situation. Many of our clients request hand scrape cleaning of their flues once a month, and steam cleaning each quarter, but if your restaurant produces a lot of fried or charbroiled foods, flue cleaning might need to happen more frequently. We’d be happy to discuss your options without pressuring you at all when you call 800-700-FLUE or email contact@fluesteam.com to get in touch with one of our representatives.

Emergency repairs, too

We are always available to you 24/7 to make emergency repairs that are extremely urgent. One of our company trucks and technicians will be right there to repair your fan motor, swamp cooler, automatic fire suppression system, or automatic gas shutoff valve whenever you call 800-700-FLUE. In addition, emergency cleaning service can also be requested at this number.

Can’t I just take care of these tasks on my own?

Technically, yes, you could probably handle doing these maintenance tasks without hiring Flue Steam. But why would you want to? You’re going to have to be super vigilant about making sure these tasks are completed each month in a timely, efficient manner. Take some stress out of your workweek and let the flue experts at Flue Steam take care of it instead. You’ll be able to focus more on what’s most important to you—making your restaurant successful, of course! When you schedule regular service appointments with Flue Steam, you won’t have to worry about your flue meeting code and staying as safe as possible, because the experts at Flue Steam will always take care of it.

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.