A canopies grease filters are the first point of contact as the exhaust system pulls cooking grease, smoke, steam and vapour away from your cooking surfaces. Cleaning grease filters on a regular basis allows the system to operate as designed, but how often should grease filters be cleaned? 

A safe, smoke and heat free kitchen is paramount to your commercial kitchen and your business. Over time, grease and oil accumulate on and within the grease filter, reducing its effectiveness and ability to extract air in to the exhaust duct system.

Australian Standards have recommended guidelines on the cleaning and exchange of grease filters based on frequency of use. There are many indicators that grease filters require cleaning and ignoring these signs will create potential fire or health and safety risks for your business.

SafeAir offer cost effective cleaning services for all types of filters. Our hot wash methods remove stubborn oil and grease and air air dried to remove any moisture or water content from their casings.

SafeAir’s grease filter exchange programs operate throughout South-East Queensland. This affordable and hassle-free solution allows your business to exchange its dirty grease filters for a fresh, clean and safe set at a convenient time.

Pictured: Drag the slider to see before and after views of dirty vs. clean grease filters.

An Overview Of AS1851-2012 and AS1851-2005:

The codes rules and regulations are designed to ensure that all state and Occupational Health & Safety requirements are met. Building owners must remain compliant to applicable laws at all times.

Cleaning frequencies are based on Australian Standards Monthly and Yearly Routine Service Schedules For Fire and Smoke Management Control for Kitchen Exhaust Systems as per codes AS 1851-2012 items 13.4.1.16 and 13.4.1.17. In Queensland we also rely on the previous code AS 1851 to AS1851-2005 for compliance.

Recommended Grease Filter Cleaning Frequencies:

The frequency of cleaning your outlets grease filters again depends on the style, method and frequency of cooking.

WARNING SIGNS: Should you find your grease filters are leaking oil into drip drays or on to work surfaces below, the exhaust system is not pulling cooking smoke vapour into the canopy duct system or that floors are ‘greasing-up’ underneath the canopy – these are all signals that your grease filters require proper cleaning or need to be exchanged.

DO NOT WASH YOUR FILTERS IN-HOUSE: Often we find outlets are not on the correct exchange of cleaning frequency and attempt to wash their grease filters in-house. Grease filters must be hot washed and properly dried to remove their oil and grease content. SafeAir will either remove and return filters to site clean, or exchange your grease filters with a fresh set on a frequency that best suits your kitchens cooking frequency and cooking volume.

COMBINE YOUR SERVICES AND SAVE: SafeAir offer cost effective canopy exhaust deep-cleaning and grease filter exchange service programs. Where possible we recommend you combine both of these services with the same provider to ensure your kitchens cleaning requirements are being met and keeping your business compliant at all times.

GREASE FILTER CLEANING AND EXCHANGE FREQUENCY:

• HEAVY LOAD: Cooking for 16-24 hours per day – Weekly cleaning and/or exchange.
• MODERATE LOAD: Cooking for 10-16 hours per day – Fortnightly cleaning and/or exchange.
• GENERAL LOAD: Cooking for 6-10 hours per day – Monthly cleaning and/or exchange.
• LIGHT LOAD: Cooking for 2-6 hours per day – Bi-monthly or Quarterly cleaning and/or exchange.

Please note the above estimates are a guide only. SafeAir will continuously review your cleaning schedule as required and adjust accordingly to ensure your kitchen exhaust duct systems remain safe and compliant year-round. We would strongly recommend that you request a free quotation to ascertain the right cleaning program for your businesses.

Arrange A Free Site Survey Or Quotation

For more information on grease filter cleaning and exchange services or one of our kitchen hygiene maintenance services,  talk to a projects team member on 07 5562 0028 – or contact us online.