Question 1

What does kitchen canopy cleaning involve?

Accepted Answer

Removing and degreasing the baffle filters, cleaning the canopy interior and the underside back to bare metal, and — the part most often skipped — cleaning the plenum, the void behind the filters where grease collects out of sight. Grease depth is measured in microns before and after so there is a record of what was removed.

Question 2

Is canopy cleaning the same as a TR19 clean?

Accepted Answer

No, and this is the most common misunderstanding in the trade. The canopy is one component of the extraction system. A TR19 clean covers the canopy, the filters, the full ductwork run, the extract fan and the discharge point. A canopy-only clean can still be issued with a certificate, which is why the scope statement on that certificate matters more than the certificate itself.

Question 3

How often should a commercial kitchen canopy be cleaned?

Accepted Answer

The canopy and filters accumulate grease fastest, so many kitchens wipe the visible surfaces weekly and have the filters degreased monthly. The full system clean, canopy included, follows BESA intervals set by cooking hours: every 3 months for heavy use, 6 months for moderate, 12 months for light.

Question 4

Can I clean the canopy myself?

Accepted Answer

Kitchen staff can and should wipe the visible surfaces and run baffle filters through a dishwasher or soak tank. What in-house cleaning cannot do is reach the plenum and the duct behind it, or produce measured evidence. The routine cleaning reduces the loading; it does not replace the system clean or the certificate.

Question 5

What are baffle filters and do they need replacing?

Accepted Answer

Baffle filters are the angled metal plates in the canopy that force grease-laden air to change direction so grease condenses out and drains away. They are cleanable rather than disposable, but warped, split or corroded filters stop working and let grease straight through to the ductwork. We supply and fit replacements where cleaning is no longer enough.

Question 6

Why do canopy and duct cleaning quotes vary so much?

Accepted Answer

Almost always because they cover different amounts of the system. A quote that cleans the canopy is cheap and looks impressive afterwards, because the canopy is the part you can see. A quote that also opens the ductwork costs more and includes fitting access panels where there are none. Compare scope, not price.