Which hood-inspection interval fits your kitchen?
By Texas Hood Cleaning Co. · General planning information
Start with fuel and cooking volume, then verify the actual condition of the exhaust system. A calendar category helps plan inspections; it does not establish that a system is clean.
Monthly: solid-fuel cooking
Wood, charcoal and other solid-fuel cooking belong in the monthly grease-inspection category. Explain the fuel and equipment to the technician; combustion deposits and equipment-specific maintenance also need attention.
Quarterly: high-volume cooking
The high-volume inspection category includes operations such as 24-hour cooking, charbroiling and wok cooking. A busy kitchen may need cleaning more often than this inspection baseline when deposits accumulate.
Semiannual: moderate-volume cooking
Moderate-volume cooking has a semiannual baseline inspection interval. Avoid assigning this category from the business name alone: menu, equipment and operating hours determine how the system is used.
Annual: low-volume cooking
Low-volume examples include occasional-use, church, day-camp and seasonal kitchens. Annual is a baseline inspection category, not permission to ignore visible buildup or continue operating an unsafe system.
Turn the category into a documented plan
Record the applicable category, actual inspection findings and next recommended inspection or cleaning date. Confirm the adopted requirements with the local authority and qualified technician. Review the plan when the menu, fuel or hours change.
Source and scope
Reviewed September 30, 2026. Confirm the locally adopted edition and requirements for your property. The committee record documents the inspection table; it is not a substitute for the adopted standard.
FAQ
Are high-volume kitchens automatically monthly?
The baseline NFPA 96 inspection category for high-volume cooking is quarterly. Monthly applies to solid-fuel cooking. Cleaning can be required more frequently based on buildup or local requirements.
What is the difference between an inspection and a cleaning?
An inspection assesses grease buildup and condition. Cleaning removes deposits from the system. One does not automatically establish the timing or result of the other.
Can my local requirements be stricter?
Yes. Confirm the adopted code and any property-specific directions with the authority having jurisdiction and the qualified technician.
Get your quote
Start with your name and one way to reach you. We will confirm the kitchen details before preparing a written quote. No obligation.
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