· HoodOps Team · Cleaning Process · 4 min read
Professional Restaurant Hood Vent Cleaning in Detroit. Full Process Explained
A complete walkthrough of the professional hood cleaning process for restaurants and commercial kitchens across Metro Detroit; including ducts, fans, and rooftop systems.
🧼 What Happens During a Professional Hood Cleaning? Inside the Process (Detroit & Surrounding Areas)
If you run a restaurant or commercial kitchen in Detroit, Ann Arbor, Troy, Novi, Dearborn, Warren, Livonia, or Royal Oak, you already know a clean exhaust system isn’t just about appearances, it’s fire safety, airflow, and compliance.
Here’s a transparent, step by step look at what our professional hood cleaning process includes so you know exactly what you’re getting.
🔥 Why Regular Hood Cleaning Matters
- Fire Prevention: Grease in hoods, ducts, and fans is fuel. Proper cleaning removes ignition risks.
- Airflow & Comfort: Clear ducts mean better ventilation and cooler kitchens.
- Compliance & Insurance: Stay compliant with NFPA 96 and keep your coverage valid.
- Equipment Life: Fans and make up air units last longer when kept grease free.
🧰 Step by Step: Our Commercial Kitchen Hood Cleaning Process
1. Arrival, Walkthrough & Safety Setup
- Confirm service scope, rooftop access, and utilities.
- Protect cooking equipment with plastic sheeting and magnetic filter covers.
- Secure fans, set up wet floor signage, and prep drainage.
2. System Disassembly & Pre Clean
- Remove baffle filters, access panels, and light covers.
- Scrape heavy grease from the hood plenum, ducts, and fan blades.
- Install or inspect rooftop grease containment systems.
3. Degreaser Application (Top Down Method)
- Begin from the roof fan, working downward for proper flow.
- Apply a food safe alkaline degreaser to break down buildup.
- Allow dwell time for deep penetration before rinsing.
4. Heated Pressure Rinse
- Use hot water pressure washing to flush grease through the ducting.
- Capture rinse water per EPA guidelines.
- Repeat until bare metal is visible as required.
5. Filter & Exterior Detailing
- Soak, rinse, and reinstall baffle filters.
- Polish hood exteriors and splash zones for a professional finish.
6. Fan & Belt Check
- Inspect belts, bearings, and pulleys; replace if needed.
- Verify exhaust fan spin and airflow.
7. Final Rinse & Reassembly
- Remove coverings, wipe surfaces, and dry floors.
- Reinstall panels and filters; restore full system power.
8. Photos, Report & Compliance Sticker
- Provide before and after photos for your records.
- Deliver a service report noting issues or recommendations.
- Apply a dated compliance sticker for inspectors.
⏱️ How Long It Takes
| Kitchen Type | Duration |
|---|---|
| Small to mid size | 3–4 hours |
| Large / multi hood | 4–6 + hours |
Most Detroit area jobs are performed overnight to avoid disrupting service.
📅 How Often Should You Schedule Cleaning?
| Volume Type | Frequency |
|---|---|
| High volume / fryers / solid fuel | Every 1–2 months |
| Standard restaurant | Every 3 months |
| Light volume | Every 6 months |
We’ll track and remind you before each due date so you never miss an inspection.
💵 Transparent Pricing, What Affects Cost
- Hood size and number
- Grease level / buildup
- Rooftop accessibility
- Optional add-ons: filter replacement, fan belt, grease containment
Most Metro Detroit kitchens range from a few hundred dollars and up depending on size and condition.
📍 Areas We Serve
- Detroit, MI: Downtown, Midtown, Corktown, and nearby neighborhoods
- Ann Arbor, MI: Restaurants, cafés, and university kitchens
- Troy, MI: Corporate cafeterias and mall eateries
- Novi, MI: Franchise and suburban dining locations
- Dearborn, MI: Industrial kitchens and family owned restaurants
- Warren, MI: Commercial kitchens and prep facilities
- Livonia, MI: Local eateries and catering facilities
- Royal Oak, MI: Bars, grills, and boutique restaurants
- Counties: Wayne, Oakland, Macomb, Washtenaw
💡 What You Get With a Professional Hood Cleaning Service
- Full hood to roof cleaning, not just a surface wipe
- Before/after photos and an inspection ready sticker
- Optional light maintenance checks
- Grease containment and rooftop protection
- Flexible overnight scheduling
❓ FAQ
Do you clean ducts and rooftop fans too?
Yes, the entire exhaust path, from hood to fan.
Will you work around my service hours?
Absolutely. Overnight cleaning is our standard approach.
Can you help after a failed inspection?
We can re-clean, document, and issue the proper inspection report.
📞 Ready for a Quote?
If you’re in Detroit, Ann Arbor, Troy, Novi, Dearborn, Warren, Livonia, or Royal Oak, get a same day quote and photo inspection report today.
👉 Contact us to schedule your next commercial kitchen hood cleaning.