Commercial Hood Cleaning in NYC
Beyond the visible hood. Into the exhaust system.
Commercial kitchen hood and exhaust cleaning for restaurants and food businesses in New York City. Plan the agreed accessible hood, filter, duct and fan cleaning around your kitchen’s layout and operating hours.
Kitchen exhaust cleaning planned around your restaurant
Define the exhaust-cleaning scope
Share the number of hoods, cooking equipment, roof or fan access and previous cleaning records. Confirm which filters, duct sections and exhaust components are included and which require additional access.
Cleaning versus ventilation repair
Grease removal and restaurant ventilation performance are different concerns. Weak capture, motor problems or system modifications may need mechanical evaluation beyond a cleaning visit.
Keep a usable service record
Agree on preparation, timing, the responsible servicing provider and the documentation to be supplied. Review inaccessible sections and any recommended follow-up before closing out the visit.
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The visible surface is only the beginning.
A polished canopy does not explain the condition of the filters, ductwork or fan. A useful service brief identifies each included component, where it can be accessed and what remains outside the cleaning scope. Those distinctions matter for both maintenance planning and the record you keep.
How the work unfolds.
- 01
Map the system
Review the hood, filters, duct access and exhaust fan. Confirm access arrangements and the components included in the visit.
- 02
Plan around the kitchen
Agree on timing, preparation and cleaning responsibilities. Identify inaccessible sections and any work that must be scheduled separately.
- 03
Clean and document
Complete the agreed accessible scope and record the work, limitations and conditions needing further attention.
View the detailed scope
- Review the exhaust-system layout, cooking operation and available access.
- Identify included hoods, grease filters, accessible ductwork and exhaust fans.
- Agree on scheduling and preparation around the kitchen’s operation.
- Clean the accessible components expressly included in the service.
- Document inaccessible areas and conditions requiring separate attention.
- Provide the agreed completed-work record for the included scope.
Know what was cleaned—and what still needs attention.
A record of the agreed cleaning work and included components, with access limitations and any separately identified conditions. The engagement confirms the documentation to be supplied and the responsibilities for additional access, inspections or repairs.
Know what is included.
Cleaning is not mechanical repair, fire-suppression-system servicing or a guarantee of ventilation performance. NYC exhaust cleaning requires an FDNY-approved servicing company and an employed technician with the appropriate W-64/P-64 Certificate of Fitness. The written scope identifies the responsible company, technician, accessible components and exclusions. A cleaned hood does not establish that an inaccessible duct section was cleaned.
NYC kitchen exhaust maintenance requirements
A schedule that fits your kitchen.
Cleaning and inspection are separate requirements. Cooking volume, equipment and duct layout affect the schedule.
- Routine cleaning: hoods, ducts and fans within three floors of the kitchen, all horizontal duct sections and elbows, and emission-control devices require cleaning at least every three months.
- Upper ducts and fans: beyond three floors, the minimum is three months for high-volume kitchens and six months for other kitchens. The six-month interval does not cover the whole system.
- Additional cleaning: grease deposits exceeding 1/8 inch require cleaning of affected areas. A partial cleaning does not reset the routine schedule.
- Grease filters: inspect daily; clean as needed and at least monthly. High-volume cooking requires cleaning at the end of the workday.
- Inspection: systems with ducts require approved-company inspections at least quarterly. High-volume cooking also requires weekly checks, and solid-fuel cooking monthly checks, by a trained, knowledgeable person.
Keep required records on the premises. Confirm the applicable requirements and access for your system before work begins.
Read the NYC exhaust-cleaning table ↗Fire Code §§609.5.3.1–609.5.3.3: inspections, filters and cleaning ↗
Credentials for the work
Company approval and the technician’s Certificate of Fitness are separate requirements. Confirm both for the proposed work.
Read FDNY’s company and technician guidance ↗Sources reviewed October 5, 2026. Requirements depend on the premises and equipment; follow the linked agency guidance.
Worth knowing before you book.
What affects a commercial hood-cleaning quote?
The number and size of hoods, duct layout, fan access, accessible grease buildup and scheduling requirements help define the work. Provide photos and previous service records when available so the included components and exclusions can be discussed.
Will hood cleaning fix weak smoke capture?
Do not assume cleaning will resolve every airflow problem. Share the symptoms and when they began. Fan, duct or other mechanical concerns may require a separate evaluation; confirm whether any diagnostic or repair work is included.
Can you quote from photographs?
Photographs of the hood, filters, duct access and exhaust fan can help us understand the job. A site visit may still be needed before the scope and price are confirmed.
Is the entire duct included?
Included components and accessible areas are established before work. Any limitations should be documented rather than treated as cleaned.
How often should the system be cleaned?
See the FDNY requirements above for the baseline intervals, exceptions and additional inspection requirements. Heavy grease production can require more frequent cleaning.
What if part of the duct cannot be reached?
Access limitations should be identified and recorded. An inaccessible section must not be represented as cleaned; discuss the access work or additional visit needed to address it.
Let’s discuss
commercial hood cleaning.
Share the property address and what prompted your enquiry. We’ll discuss the scope and next step.