Checking your extract cleaners’ work could save your business - How to audit your supplier in under 15 minutes.

In the fast-paced world of hospitality and commercial kitchens, it's easy to assume that your extraction system is being cleaned properly, especially when you're paying an “expert” to do the job. But the unfortunate truth is, many businesses are unknowingly left exposed to serious fire risk due to partial or poor-quality cleans.

Unfortunately, at least once a week, we find ourselves at sites with our heads in our hands, worried for the safety of our competitors clients team, and their businesses.

A poorly maintained extraction system is one of the leading causes of commercial kitchen fires. If grease builds up in hard-to-reach places, like inside ducting or around fans, it creates the perfect fuel for a potentially life threatening blaze. 100% of any commercial kitchen’s ducting needs cleaning at least annually, not just to arms length reach.

Gaining access through access hatches, or reaching further through the latest technology and equipment is the answer. But, not everyone is doing the job they are signing off.

So how do you protect your team, your premises, and your livelihood?

Start by taking 15 minutes to do a mini audit after each clean. It’s a simple but powerful exercise that can make all the difference.

15-Minute Mini Audit of Your Extract Cleaning Service

1. Ask for photos, and inspect them closely

Always request before and after photos, especially of hard-to-reach areas like inside the ducting and around the extract fan. These are the zones where grease build-up hides and where subpar contractors often skip or surface clean only. “Arms reach” is a common term we hear, but that’s often not enough! The photos should clearly show the interior condition of your system, not just external filters or visible surfaces.

2. Check the ducting… can they even access it?

Look for access hatches along the ductwork. If your system doesn’t have enough access points, it’s physically impossible to clean it thoroughly. Many cleaners will only reach what they can see, leaving metres of grease-laden ducting untouched. A high quality provider will recommend and install proper access points to ensure complete cleans.

3. Confirm full system cleaning, not just the hood

Ask your contractor directly: “Did you clean 100% of the system?” This should include the hood, filters, ducting, fans, and exhaust terminals. Partial cleans can create a false sense of safety. If the cleaner can’t show evidence of a full-system clean, it likely didn’t happen.

Don’t have time? Let us do the audit for you?

At National Hood, we take pride in delivering a high-quality, dependable service built on clear communication and streamlined reporting. We offer a single point of contact and provide easy-to-access, detailed before & after photos and documentation after each service, ensuring full transparency and peace of mind.

Our full-system cleans are guaranteed. Unlike many providers, we clean 100% of your extraction systems, including hard-to-reach ducting using our power brush tool, which has an impressive reach of up to 40 metres. Where necessary, we install high-quality access hatches to make every part of your system accessible and compliant.

Protect your business. Audit your cleaners. And partner with professionals who leave nothing to chance.

Call us today and mention this article for an audit, we’d love to help. 0800 682 225