Worried About Your Commercial Kitchen’s Lack of Access Panels? Here’s What to Do

Managing a commercial kitchen comes with its set of challenges, one of which is ensuring that all necessary access panels are installed for efficient maintenance and safety compliance. If you’ve recently taken over a commercial kitchen that lacks these critical components, there’s no need to panic. Here’s how Flue Steam can help you solve this issue and keep your kitchen running smoothly.

Importance of Access Panels in Commercial Kitchens

Access panels are essential in commercial kitchens primarily for the maintenance and cleaning of the exhaust system. Without these panels, it becomes extremely challenging to properly clean and inspect the system, which can lead to grease build-up and potential fire hazards. Ensuring your kitchen is equipped with the right access panels is crucial for both safety and regulatory compliance.

Professional Installation of Access Panels

If your commercial kitchen is missing access panels, it’s important to have them installed by professionals who understand the specific requirements. At Flue Steam, our technicians are well-versed in the standards set by NFPA 96 and the California Mechanical Code. We ensure that all installations comply with these regulations, using approved methods and materials. With our expertise, you can rest assured that your access panels will provide optimal accessibility for maintenance and cleaning.

Regular Exhaust System Cleaning Services

Having access panels is just the first step. Regular cleaning of your exhaust system is necessary to prevent grease build-up and ensure efficient operation. At Flue Steam, we offer two primary methods of exhaust system cleaning:

Hand Scraping

Hand scraping is the most common and cost-effective method for cleaning exhaust systems. Our technicians physically remove grease build-up from the walls of the exhaust system. While this method is effective, it’s limited to the areas that can be accessed manually. Regular hand scraping helps maintain the cleanliness of your exhaust system, but it should be complemented with more thorough cleaning methods.

Steam Cleaning

For a more comprehensive clean, we recommend steam cleaning at regular intervals. This method uses high-pressure hot water to reach every corner of the exhaust system, providing a thorough cleaning that hand scraping alone cannot achieve. Although steam cleaning is more intensive and costly, it is essential for ensuring the complete removal of grease and maintaining the overall health of your exhaust system.

Recommended Cleaning Schedule

To keep your exhaust system in top condition, we recommend a combination of hand scraping and steam cleaning. Most commercial kitchens benefit from hand scraping once a month and steam cleaning on a quarterly basis. This schedule helps maintain optimal performance and safety without incurring excessive costs.

Additional Services Offered by Flue Steam

Beyond exhaust system cleaning, Flue Steam provides a range of essential services to keep your commercial kitchen running efficiently:

• Maintenance Tasks: We handle key maintenance tasks such as checking belts, greasing bearings, and replacing worn-out parts.
• Fire Safety Services: Our technicians can install and service automatic fire suppression systems, exchange grease filters, and provide portable fire extinguishers to ensure your kitchen meets maximum safety standards.
• Emergency Repairs: We offer 24/7 emergency repair services for fan motors, swamp coolers, automatic fire suppression systems, and automatic gas shutoff valves. Emergency cleaning services are also available to address any urgent needs.

Contact Us Today

Don’t let the lack of access panels compromise the safety and efficiency of your commercial kitchen. At Flue Steam, we are dedicated to providing top-notch installation, cleaning, and maintenance services tailored to your specific needs. Get started by giving us a call at 800-700-FLUE. Our team is ready to help you ensure your kitchen operates smoothly and safely.

Invest in the safety and efficiency of your commercial kitchen with Flue Steam – your trusted partner in kitchen maintenance and safety compliance.