The Ultimate Hood Cleaning FAQ Guide for Restaurants in Northern Michigan

When you run a commercial kitchen, your hood system is one of the most important — and most forgotten — pieces of fire protection equipment in your entire restaurant. Yet most owners don’t fully understand how hood cleaning works, how often it’s required, what’s included, or what NFPA 96 actually mandates.

As a certified hood cleaning company serving Northern Michigan, I’ve answered thousands of questions from restaurant owners, GMs, chefs, franchise operators, and first-time food truck owners. This guide is a complete, straightforward breakdown of everything you need to know about hood cleaning so you can stay compliant, safe, and confident in your system.

Let’s jump in.

How Much Does Hood Cleaning Cost?

Most restaurant hood cleanings in Northern Michigan start at $547 for a standard one-fan system.

Additional systems are $274 each.

Your exact price will depend on:

• grease buildup
• how many fans you have
• duct length
• roof access
• whether the system has been neglected
• any NFPA 96 compliance issues

The only way to get an accurate quote is with a free onsite inspection, where we check your hood, ducts, fan, and rooftop containment.

How Long Does Hood Cleaning Take?

A standard hood cleaning takes about four hours from start to finish, including setup and cleanup.

Variations:

• multi-fan systems → longer
• neglected systems → much longer
• clean, well-maintained systems → sometimes shorter

We always communicate estimated time during the inspection so your kitchen staff can plan around the schedule.

What’s Included in a Professional Hood Cleaning?

Real hood cleaning services — not a splash-and-dash — will always include your entire kitchen exhaust system:

• hood canopy degreasing
• filter cleaning
• duct cleaning
• exhaust fan cleaning (blades and housing)
• rooftop grease containment check
• full NFPA 96 compliance inspection

Everything is cleaned down to bare metal, which is the national fire code requirement.

How Often Should My Hood Be Cleaned?

Frequency is determined by NFPA 96 and depends on what and how often you cook.

Typical requirements:

• High-volume kitchens (grills, fryers, charbroilers): every 3 months
• Average restaurants: every 3–4 months
• Pizzerias and low-volume operations: every 6 months
• Food trucks: every 1–3 months depending on grease output
• Steam-only or no-grease kitchens: annually

If you’re not sure what category you fall into, we identify it for you during your inspection.

What Happens if I Don’t Clean My Hood System?

Skipping hood cleanings leads to:

• dangerous grease buildup
• reduced airflow
• fan motor burnout
• grease overflow onto your rooftop
• damaged roof membrane
• fire code violations
• failed health inspections
• insurance problems
• increased fire risk

Most kitchen exhaust fires start inside neglected ductwork — the most overlooked part of the system.

Do You Clean the Ducts and Fan, or Just the Hood?

We clean the entire system, including:

• hood
• filters
• vertical ducts
• horizontal ducts
• exhaust fan
• fan blades
• rooftop containment

Cleaning only what you can see is not NFPA 96 compliant.

Does Hood Cleaning Have to Be Done After Hours?

Typically yes.
Because the process involves:

• water
• degreaser
• pressure washing
• tarping off equipment

It’s safest and cleanest to perform the work:

• overnight
• early morning
• between shifts (if downtime allows)

We work around your schedule.

How Do You Protect My Restaurant During the Cleaning?

We tarp off all equipment and prep areas, use commercial-grade containment, and keep water exactly where it should be. We leave your kitchen as clean — or cleaner — than we found it.

Do You Clean the Rooftop Fan and Grease Containment?

Yes.
Rooftop issues are one of the biggest fire risks restaurants face, especially when grease containment overflows.

We:

• clean the fan
• remove grease from blades and housing
• clean up rooftop areas
• inspect the containment system
• identify membrane damage

If you’ve ever seen a roof eaten by grease, you know how important this step is.

Do I Need a Certified Hood Cleaner?

Yes.
NFPA 96 requires hood cleaning be performed by a properly trained, qualified, and certified technician.

Certified hood cleaners:

• clean the entire system
• understand duct access
• prevent fire hazards
• keep you compliant
• document everything for insurance and inspections

This is not a job for general janitorial companies.

Do You Provide Before and After Photos?

Absolutely.
Every cleaning includes a full photo report so you can see:

• ducts
• fan
• hood
• filters
• rooftop

If an inspector or insurance provider ever asks for documentation, you’ll have it.

What Areas Do You Serve?

We serve all of Northern Michigan, including:

• Traverse City
• Ludington
• Manistee
• Cadillac
• Big Rapids
• Lake County
• Mason County
• Wexford County
• Oceana County

Anywhere with a hood system — we go.

Still Have Questions? Schedule a Free Inspection.

If you’re unsure whether your system is compliant, safe, or overdue for cleaning, we can walk you through everything during a free onsite inspection.

You’ll get:

• a full breakdown of your system
• grease level assessment
• NFPA 96 recommendations
• a clear quote — no surprises
• answers to every question you have

Call now: 231-335-4372

Book online: Schedule your free inspection