Question 1

What is the difference between a kitchen deep clean and a kitchen extract clean?

Accepted Answer

A kitchen deep clean covers the visible surfaces and equipment within the kitchen, including floors, walls, worktops, appliances and the external surfaces of the canopy. A kitchen extract clean covers the internal areas of the extraction system, including the canopy plenum, ductwork, fans and discharge points. Both are important, but completing one does not mean the other has been carried out. Always check the scope of works before booking.

Question 2

How often should a kitchen extract system be cleaned?

Accepted Answer

Under TR19 Grease guidance, cleaning frequency is based on the hours of operation. Heavy-use kitchens operating 12 to 16 hours per day should be cleaned every three months. Moderate-use kitchens operating 6 to 12 hours per day should be cleaned every six months. Light-use kitchens operating 2 to 6 hours per day should be cleaned annually. These are minimum recommendations. A site-specific assessment should also consider the type of cooking, grease accumulation and the requirements of the fire risk assessment and insurer to confirm the appropriate frequency for your operation.

Question 3

What is the TR19 Grease specification?

Accepted Answer

TR19 Grease is the BESA industry specification for managing the fire risks associated with grease accumulation in commercial kitchen extraction systems. It covers inspection, measurement, cleaning and post-clean verification. Cleaning carried out to TR19 Grease standards provides documented evidence of the condition of the system and the work completed, which may be requested by insurers, fire risk assessors and Environmental Health Officers.

Question 4

Does my insurance require kitchen extract cleaning?

Accepted Answer

Many commercial kitchen insurance policies require evidence that the extraction system has been cleaned at suitable intervals and in line with recognised guidance such as TR19 Grease. Failure to provide this evidence following a fire may affect an insurance claim, even where cleaning has taken place but cannot be evidenced. Always check your policy terms and retain post-clean verification reports, certificates, photographs and any relevant remedial records.

What Does a Professional Kitchen Extract Clean Involve?

What Does a Professional Kitchen Extract Clean Involve?