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Your canopy is the most visible part of the exhaust system, but the grease that matters is often behind the filters. Here is what professional canopy cleaning covers and how it is done.
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What Does Commercial Kitchen Exhaust Cleaning Include?
A canopy-only wipe-down and a complete exhaust system clean are very different jobs. Here is what a full commercial kitchen exhaust clean can include, and the questions to ask before you book.
By Apex Commercial Exhaust · · 7 min read
Key takeaways
- A complete clean can cover the canopy, plenum, grease ducts, rooftop exhaust fan and grease filters.
- Cleaning only the visible canopy does not remove grease from the ducts and fan.
- A good quote lists the components included, any exclusions and any areas that cannot be accessed.
- Before-and-after photos and a service summary help you keep records.
- Simple preparation (equipment shutdown, clear access, informing staff) helps the clean run smoothly.
If you have never booked a kitchen exhaust clean before, it can be hard to know what you are paying for. This guide walks through each part of a commercial kitchen exhaust system, what cleaning can include, and how to compare quotes.
How a kitchen exhaust system works
Grease-laden air rises from the cooking line into the canopy, passes through the grease filters into the plenum, travels through the exhaust ductwork and is pulled out by the exhaust fan, usually on the roof. Grease can settle at every stage, not just where you can see it.
What does exhaust cleaning include?
Canopy & plenum
Degreasing accessible canopy interiors, stainless steel surfaces, grease gutters, extraction openings and the plenum behind the filters.
Grease ducts
Removing grease from accessible horizontal ducts, vertical risers, bends and transitions.
Exhaust fan
Cleaning accessible fan blades, impellers and housings, and noting any visible concerns.
Grease filters
Cleaning reusable baffle filters, or exchanging them for clean compatible filters.
Within the agreed scope, Apex cleans all accessible and reachable areas of your kitchen exhaust system. The exact scope depends on system design and safe access, and is confirmed before work begins.
Canopy cleaning vs complete exhaust cleaning
Canopy cleaning focuses on the hood and its accessible components. A complete exhaust system clean also covers the ductwork, exhaust fan and filters. Cleaning only the visible canopy can make the kitchen look cleaner while grease remains in the rest of the system.
How to compare quotes
Read the questions to ask before you book
- Which components are included: canopy, plenum, ducts, fan, filters?
- Which areas are excluded, or cannot be accessed, and why?
- Are before-and-after photos and a service summary included?
- Is roof access or extra access-panel work needed?
- Can the work be done outside trading hours?
- What insurance does the provider hold? (Apex holds $20M public liability insurance.)
A clear quotation should name the components included and any exclusions, so you can compare like with like.
How to prepare your kitchen for exhaust cleaning
- Plan equipment shutdown so cooking equipment under the canopy is off and cool.
- Clear the work area around the cooking line where practical.
- Arrange access to the roof, ceiling access panels and plant areas.
- Tell your staff when the work is scheduled.
- Follow the contractor’s site instructions for your kitchen.
What you should receive afterwards
Depending on the agreed scope, documentation can include before-and-after photos, the components cleaned, any areas that could not be accessed, visible equipment concerns and recommended future maintenance. These records are useful for your maintenance file, landlord or insurer. A service report records the work done; it is not, on its own, a government or fire authority approval.
Frequently asked questions
Do you clean behind the grease filters?
Cleaning the accessible canopy plenum and extraction areas behind the filters can be included in a suitable canopy cleaning service. The scope is confirmed before work begins.
Can every part of an exhaust system be cleaned?
Not every system has access to every internal surface. Access limitations, system design and safety can affect the scope, and any inaccessible areas should be clearly identified.
How long does a kitchen exhaust clean take?
It varies with kitchen size, system complexity, grease build-up, access and the agreed scope.
References & further reading
Government, regulator and Standards sources mentioned in this guide (links checked November 2026; requirements can change, so check the current version):
- Fire and Rescue NSW, NSW Rural Fire Service, ACT Fire Brigade and ACT Rural Fire Service, Restaurant fire safety
- Australian Building Codes Board (ABCB), NCC guide: F6D12 Kitchen local exhaust ventilation
- Safe Work Australia, Model Code of Practice: Managing the risk of falls at workplaces
- Food Standards Australia New Zealand (FSANZ), Safe Food Australia: A guide to the Food Safety Standards
Need help with your kitchen exhaust? Apex Commercial Exhaust cleans canopies, exhaust ducts, rooftop fans and grease filters for commercial kitchens across Melbourne and Victoria.
This article is general information only and is not legal, insurance or compliance advice. Requirements for your kitchen depend on your system, building and obligations.
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