Since restaurants have food cooking on a consistent basis, one of the most essential elements inside a restaurant’s kitchen is the exhaust fan. This is what helps remove smoke and moisture from the air, keeping your kitchen air clean. A major problem can occur if the exhaust fan suddenly malfunctions which can result in business closures. As a restaurant owner, a malfunctioning hood can create potential health hazards due to potential monoxide poisoning as one of the key functions of the exhaust hood is to remove carbon monoxide from gas-operated cooking appliances.
Here are some of the problems to look out for and how repairs can help extend the life of your restaurant exhaust fans.
While a kitchen is filled with various smells daily, it’s important to take note if there is an unpleasant, or old smell since this can indicate a problem with your exhaust fan. The exhaust fans pull up smoke from the air, which includes grease and many food scents. Over time, as debris builds up inside the exhaust fan the smell worsens indicating it’s due for maintenance or repair.Â
If left untreated, your kitchen could develop odors which could eventually expand into a dining area. This is just one reason it’s important to maintain your exhaust fan.
If your kitchen has a lot of smoke and steam, this might be an indication that your exhaust fans are suffering from too much condensation build-up. It’s possible that the extra moisture can find its way to the motors and fans inside the exhaust system which can lead to multiple problems. If you notice moisture dripping out, it’s recommended that you shut off the fans until the motors can fully dry.
If the problem is reoccurring, then you may need to consider upgrading your exhaust fan. It’s possible that the output of your restaurant may exceed the capabilities of your fans. A more powerful exhaust fan can push the air and moisture through the vents so condensation does not form.
In some cases, the position of the exhaust fan may need to change as well. You may be advised to install higher vent hoods to give the moisture a little extra time to dissipate and not enter the fan when everything is so dense.
While exhaust fans tend to make a lot of noise, it’s important to distinguish between normal and abnormal sounds. A consistent hum is normal for exhaust fans. If you hear loud buzzing and grinding noises this should serve as an indication that something is wrong. Both noises are almost always coming from the fan motor and is your biggest clue that a problem has occurred.
These sounds likely mean a repair is needed. The motor could be jammed, overheated, or it could simply be time to install a new exhaust fan. You should turn off the fans and contact Hood Services 24 to diagnose the problem and help with repairs.
When you first turn on the exhaust fans in your restaurant, pay close attention to the process. One of the earliest signs of a mechanical issue is if your fan is slow to start. The fan may eventually turn to full power, but slow movements initially may indicate that the motor is running into issues.
You might also notice that the fans go full speed, slow down a bit, and then builds up momentum again. This cycle may continue until the fan fully powers up. Such power issues may escalate over time until one day the fan no longer functions and needs to be replaced.
For more information or to schedule an appointment for restaurant HVAC repair and maintenance, contact us today. Our technicians have years of experience and can help keep your commercial kitchen operating smoothly.
