4 Commercial Kitchen Hood Buying Tips For Businesses
Businesses often overlook commercial kitchen hood installations on their premises due to their lack of knowledge and experience. This results in many business problems, such as exposing employees to dangerous and unbearable smoke fumes. Some unfortunate businesses have even been affected by fires due to the lack of preventative measures. That is why you should make well-informed decisions with your commercial kitchen hood to maximize profitability and safety.
This article will discuss four key commercial kitchen hood buying tips to help you through the process. Take this as an opportunity to invest in long-term assets that will define your business’s future scalability by maintaining your employees’ and customers’ welfare and safety.
1. Match the hood to your cooking line and plan
There are many kinds of commercial kitchen hoods that you can pick for your business, but you have to make the best choice. The right hood depends on the cooking equipment underneath it, how that equipment is arranged, and the space above the line. If you run a food truck, the same principle applies on a smaller scale. We don’t design or build food trucks, but on an existing truck we install suppression and extinguishers and can install a new hood. See food truck fire protection.
2. Size the hood to your equipment
Hood size, type and required airflow depend on the appliances under it, the heat, smoke and grease they produce, and how you cook. Those requirements come from the hood manufacturer’s listing and the applicable codes, such as NFPA 96. Share your equipment list, line length and any kitchen plans early so the hood can be planned around your layout.
3. Consider commercial kitchen hood add-ons
Hoods over grease-producing equipment use listed grease filters. Some cooking, such as solid-fuel (wood or charcoal) cooking, has additional code requirements, so mention it at the start. Make sure any accessory you add is compatible with the hood.
Consult with kitchen hood suppliers and experts to make cost-effective add-on purchases that will benefit your business. Ask for the hood’s specifications and listing before you buy.
4. Prioritize fire suppression installations
Your commercial kitchen is highly susceptible to fires, meaning you need to invest in fire suppression installations to protect the cooking line and the hood, plenum and duct areas. Plan the suppression system together with the hood. Contact us with questions about commercial kitchen hoods.
Conclusion
Deciding on a commercial kitchen hood can be a challenge, but this can easily be accomplished if you access the best sources. You also now know the tips that will guide you through the process.
We install new commercial kitchen hoods and replace existing hoods across New Jersey and Eastern Pennsylvania. We can also fabricate a stainless steel hood or install a hood you already own. We also install, inspect, maintain and repair Ansul and other kitchen fire suppression systems. See kitchen hoods or contact us.