Commercial Kitchen Exhaust Cleaning
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100% Customer Satisfaction
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Protecting Your Kitchen With Safe, Compliant Exhaust Maintenance
Did you know that grease, fat and oil build-up in your commercial kitchen’s exhaust system can become a fire hazard? If it’s been a while since you last cleaned your commercial kitchen exhaust, get in touch with
Efficient Hygiene Services. We take on jobs for clients throughout Brisbane, the Gold Coast, Sunshine Coast and Sydney.
Our specialist kitchen exhaust cleaners work in accordance with
Australian Standards 1851:2012 and 1668.2. We’ll make sure we clean every surface of your system — including the filter, canopy, ducting, exhaust fan, fan shroud, motor and casing.
To book in a service with our team, give us a call on
1300 222 357.
Ensure Safety with Expert Kitchen Exhaust Cleaning
Under
Work Health and Safety regulations, if you’re a commercial kitchen operator or a building manager/owner, you have a duty to keep your kitchen exhaust system safe. This is because grease build-up increases fire risk — as it can cause flames to spread rapidly through your ducts.
So, if you can’t remember the last time your kitchen exhaust was cleaned, it may be time to schedule a service for your peace of mind. At
Efficient Hygiene Services, we can clean toilet and bathroom exhausts, as well as ductwork and air conditioners. If you have any questions regarding our services, get in touch with our experienced team today.
Complete Guide to Commercial Kitchen Exhaust Cleaning: Compliance, Safety, and Best Practices
Every year, commercial kitchens across Australia experience preventable fires because their exhaust systems weren’t adequately cleaned. Grease buildup in canopies, ducts, and exhaust fans is one of the most common — and most dangerous — fire hazards. The difference between a safe, compliant kitchen and a major incident often comes down to a professional, consistent exhaust cleaning schedule.
This guide shares everything you need to know from Efficient Hygiene Services to help keep your kitchen compliant, fully insured, and operating at peak safety.
What This Guide Covers
This comprehensive guide walks you through:
- Your obligations under Australian Standard AS 1851-2012
- How professional Commercial Kitchen Exhaust Cleaning works
- Cleaning frequencies based on usage and cooking methods
- The certification and documentation needed for insurance
- Practical scheduling and operational considerations
- Cost-impacting factors and long-term maintenance strategies
If you’re a commercial kitchen operator, restaurant owner, café manager, or facilities manager, this guide will help you understand exactly what’s required to stay compliant and protect your business.
Who This Is For
This guide is written for:
- Restaurant and café owners
- Facility managers
- Hospital and aged-care kitchen supervisors
- Club, pub, and hotel operators
- Franchise operators
- School, university, and corporate kitchen teams
Whether your kitchen operates 24/7 or only a few hours a day, you’ll find practical, business-focused guidance tailored to your operational needs.
Why This Matters
When it comes to Commercial Kitchen Exhaust Cleaning, the stakes couldn’t be higher. Neglecting your exhaust system can lead to:
- Fire outbreaks and severe property damage
- Injuries and workplace safety breaches
- Invalidated insurance claims
- Business shutdowns
- Significant financial liability
Maintaining a clean exhaust system isn’t optional — it’s a legal requirement, an insurance requirement, and a responsible business practice.
What You'll Learn
- Compliance requirements for commercial kitchen exhaust systems
- Usage-based cleaning frequency guidelines
- How canopy, duct, fan, and filter cleaning is actually carried out
- The full certification and documentation process
- Risk-reduction strategies every business owner should know
Understanding Commercial Kitchen Exhaust Systems and Cleaning Requirements
A commercial kitchen exhaust system is designed to extract smoke, grease, heat, and airborne contaminants from your cooking environment. When grease accumulates inside the system, it becomes a highly flammable fuel source that can ignite without warning.
At Efficient Hygiene Services, we learnt how interconnected every component is — if one link fails, the entire system becomes compromised.
Key System Components
- Canopies
Capture grease, steam, and airborne contaminants directly from the cooking line. These surfaces accumulate grease rapidly and must be cleaned regularly to prevent fire hazards.
- Grease Filters
Trap large grease particles before they enter the ducts. In a high-volume kitchen, filters may need cleaning weekly or monthly.
- Ductwork
Transports contaminated air through the building. Hidden ducts often contain the heaviest grease accumulation and require specialised professional cleaning.
- Exhaust Fans
Remove grease-laden vapours from the system. Fan blades, housings, and motors must be degreased to maintain airflow and prevent dangerous buildup.
Failure in any one of these areas leads to increased fire risk and non-compliance — which is why businesses rely on Efficient Hygiene Services to handle the entire system, end-to-end.
Legal and Insurance Requirements
As business owners, we’re legally obligated to maintain our kitchen exhaust systems under:
- Australian Standard AS 1851-2012
- Work Health and Safety (WHS) legislation
- Local council and fire authority requirements
Insurance companies require documented, certified cleaning at defined intervals. Missing documentation or irregular maintenance can void your cover — something you simply can’t afford in the industry.
Efficient Hygiene Services provides all required reports, service logs, and compliance documents, giving us complete protection during audits, inspections, and insurance assessments.
Safety and Risk Reduction in Commercial Kitchen Exhaust Cleaning
Safety isn’t just a box to tick — it’s the foundation of a responsible commercial kitchen. Regular professional Commercial Kitchen Exhaust Cleaning helps:
- Prevent exhaust system fires
- Improve air quality for staff and patrons
- Reduce smoke and odours
- Improve energy efficiency
- Extend the lifespan of fans and ventilation equipment
By partnering with
Efficient Hygiene Services, we’ve been able to reduce fire risks and help our clients meet all safety, WHS, and compliance standards.
Cleaning Frequency and Scheduling Requirements
Australian standards outline minimum cleaning intervals — but actual frequency depends on:
- Hours of operation
- Types of food cooked
- Grease output
- Ventilation efficiency
- Kitchen layout and equipment
Usage-Based Cleaning Schedules
Heavy-Use Kitchens (12–16+ hours/day)
- Examples: fast-food restaurants, food courts
- Required: Quarterly or more frequent cleaning
Moderate-Use Kitchens (6–12 hours/day)
- Examples: cafés, pubs, mid-size restaurants
- Required: Semi-annual cleaning
Light-Use Kitchens (2–6 hours/day)
- Examples: small cafés, low-volume venues
- Required: Annual cleaning
Component-Specific Guidelines
- Grease filters: Weekly to monthly
- Canopies: Quarterly to annually
- Ducts: Professionally cleaned at least annually
- Fans: Cleaned during major service intervals
Factors Affecting Cleaning Frequency
- Heavy frying or grilling dramatically increases grease load
- Wok and charcoal cooking require more frequent maintenance
- Poor ventilation leads to faster grease buildup
- Manufacturer warranties may require more frequent cleaning
Understanding these factors can help you avoid major compliance issues.
Professional Cleaning Process and Certification
Professional Commercial Kitchen Exhaust Cleaning isn’t just “cleaning the canopy” — it’s a detailed, certified process that ensures the entire system is safe, compliant, and fully documented.
Below is the process
Efficient Hygiene Services uses for our kitchen.
Step-by-Step Cleaning Process
For basic DIY tasks, you typically gather:
- Pre-cleaning inspection
- System shutdown & equipment protection
- Canopy & stainless steel surface cleaning
- Filter cleaning or replacement
- Duct cleaning using specialised equipment
- Exhaust fan degreasing & mechanical checks
- System reassembly and airflow testing
- Post-cleaning inspection & certification
Certification
Efficient Hygiene Services provides:
- AS 1851-2012 compliant documentation
- Before and after photos
- Service reports for council/Auditors
- Insurance-compliant maintenance records
This certification is essential for insurance cover and regulatory audits.
Professional Service vs. In-House Cleaning
| Feature | Professional Service | In-House Cleaning |
|---|---|---|
| Compliance Certification | AS 1851-2012 compliant | Not accepted |
| Duct & fan access | Specialised equipment | Limited |
| Fire safety | Meets all standards | High liability |
| Insurance Documentation | Fully compliant | Often invalid |
| Risk to business | Low | High |
Professional cleaning by
Efficient Hygiene Services includes
coil flushing, antimicrobial treatments, fan and drain cleaning, and full internal inspection—services impossible to replicate safely without training.
Common Challenges and Solutions
Scheduling Around Kitchen Hours
- Solution:
After-hours or overnight cleaning from Efficient Hygiene Services.
Accessing Deep Ductwork
- Solution: Certified technicians using compliant access panels and equipment.
Insurance and Compliance Documentation
- Solution: Full certification and reporting provided after every service.
Real Life Case Study: Preventing a Major Fire Hazard in a High-Volume Brisbane Restaurant
Overview
A large restaurant in Brisbane had a kitchen that was pumping out hundreds of meals a day — especially during peak service on weekends. They operate 14 hours a day, seven days a week, using multiple deep fryers, chargrills, and woks. Even with a diligent in-house cleaning schedule, the team struggled to keep up with the amount of airborne grease that built up inside the canopy and ductwork.
In early 2024, after noticing reduced airflow and increased smoke on the cook line, they contacted Efficient Hygiene Services for a full inspection and assessment of our commercial kitchen exhaust system.
That call ended up preventing what could have easily become a major fire hazard.
Initial Findings
Efficient Hygiene Services conducted a full AS 1851-2012 inspection and discovered:
- Excessive grease buildup of over 2mm inside the horizontal ductwork
- A layer of charcoal-like grease inside the exhaust fan housing
- Blocked grease filters that had not been properly degreased
- A canopy surface that looked clean but had dangerous internal deposits hidden behind baffles
- A visible drop in airflow, indicating mechanical stress on the fan motor
Our team explained that the system was well beyond the acceptable limits and posed a significant fire hazard, especially given our high-temperature cooking equipment.
What Efficient Hygiene Services Did
Efficient Hygiene Services carried out a full Commercial Kitchen Exhaust Cleaning overnight to avoid disrupting service. The steps included:
Comprehensive Pre-Cleaning Inspection
- Grease-depth measurement
- Before-photos for insurance documentation
- Full system condition assessment
Canopy and Filter Restoration
- Degreasing of all stainless steel canopy surfaces
- Soak-tank cleaning of all grease filters
- Rebalancing of final filter placement for better airflow
Ductwork Degreasing
Using high-pressure, food-safe degreasers, the team:
- Opened multiple access points to reach all sections
- Removed thick carbonised grease deposits
- Cleaned duct walls back to “clean to bare metal” standard
Exhaust Fan Recovery
- Blade degreasing
- Motor housing clearance
- Belt and bearing checks
- Rebalancing for improved airflow
Certification & Documentation
The client received:
- Full AS 1851-2012 compliance certification
- Before-and-after photos
- Grease-depth report
- Insurance-ready service log
This documentation turned out to be crucial — the insurer requested the report during an unrelated workplace safety audit two months later.
Results
Within the first week after cleaning, they saw immediate improvements:
- Airflow improved by over 40%
Cooks immediately noticed clearer visibility and less smoke in the kitchen.
- Noise levels dropped
The exhaust fan no longer struggled under load.
- Fire risk was dramatically reduced
The insurer confirmed our compliance and updated our file.
- Equipment life was extended
The exhaust fan motor was operating cooler and more efficiently.
- Our WHS compliance was strengthened
They were adhering to all AS 1851-2012 record-keeping and maintenance requirements.
- Staff morale improved
The chefs commented on how much easier it was to work during peak service without smoke backing up into the line.
Long Term Impact
After seeing the results, the client signed a quarterly maintenance contract with
Efficient Hygiene Services. This includes:
- Routine cleaning of canopies and filters
- Scheduled duct and fan cleaning
- Ongoing photographic documentation
- Annual compliance reports
- Priority response for inspections and emergencies
This predictable maintenance cycle has kept the business compliant, reduced stress on equipment, and eliminated the risk of unexpected shutdowns.
Conclusion and Next Steps
Regular, professional Commercial Kitchen Exhaust Cleaning is essential for protecting your kitchen, your people, and your business. With the right cleaning schedule — and the right partner — you can stay compliant, minimise fire risk, and safeguard your insurance cover.
Next Steps
- Book a system inspection
- Determine your recommended cleaning frequency
- Request a tailored quote from Efficient Hygiene Services
- Set up an ongoing maintenance and certification schedule
Professional exhaust cleaning is not an expense — it’s an investment in safety, compliance, and the long-term success of your business.
Our Real Customer Reviews
We had our exhaust cleaned by Efficient Hygiene Services, and the experience was absolutely fantastic from start to finish. The team was professional, polite, and incredibly thorough. They arrived on time, explained everything clearly, and left the area spotless. It’s so refreshing to deal with a company that takes real pride in their work. Great clean service — we’ll definitely be using EHS again and highly recommend them to anyone looking for quality and professionalism!
We have been working with Efficient Hygiene Services for years in both our locations for cleaning our exhaust systems. Very professional service, good workmanship which is quite rare these days. They are always on time, prices are reasonable and we always receive photos of before and after. Highly recommended EHS.
The 2 technicians that completed the air conditioning deep cleans at my child care centre were outstanding. We have had many other companies complete our air con cleaning but none are as good as Efficient Hygiene Services.! We won’t trust anyone else. Our air cons are running more efficient and smell amazing.
Our retail business has been using Efficient Hygiene Services for 5 years. The service and quality of work is always outstanding. I highly recommend using their services. If you own a restaurant wanting your exhaust duct cleaned regularly or if you have air conditioning ducts that need cleaning for better air quality.
Frequently Asked Questions
How often should the kitchen exhaust be cleaned?
The advised frequency of cleaning will vary, depending on the type of cooking that takes place and how often the system is used. This could be monthly, quarterly or semi-annually.
Is it a legal requirement to have the commercial kitchen exhaust cleaned?
Yes, it is. Kitchen exhaust cleaning falls under Work Health and Safety regulations. Australian Standards 1851:2012 also outlines a series of minimum inspection, maintenance and record-keeping requirements for kitchen exhaust systems.
Can my employees clean the kitchen exhaust?
It’s best to leave kitchen exhaust cleaning to the professionals. This is because cleaning kitchen exhausts takes special training and equipment. If your employee sustains an injury whilst cleaning, you will be legally liable.
How often should I get my kitchen exhaust system cleaned?
The frequency of cleaning depends on the volume and type of cooking. High-use commercial kitchens typically require cleaning every 3 to 6 months, while lower-use kitchens may need it once a year. Adhering to a regular maintenance schedule ensures compliance with fire and health regulations.
Do you provide residential kitchen exhaust cleaning?
Yes, while we primarily focus on commercial and industrial exhaust fan cleaning in Brisbane and the Gold Coast, we also offer residential services upon request. Contact us to discuss your specific cleaning needs.
How does a dirty kitchen exhaust system affect my business?
A neglected exhaust system can lead to poor air quality, increased fire risks, non-compliance with health and safety regulations, and inefficient airflow, which may impact staff comfort and productivity. Keeping it clean ensures a safe and efficient working environment.
What areas do you service?
We offer exhaust fan cleaning on the Gold Coast, Brisbane, Sunshine Coast, and Tweed Heads. We also have a technician in Sydney but do not operate between Sydney and Tweed Heads. Keep your kitchen safe, compliant, and operating efficiently with our professional cleaning solutions.
How can I book a kitchen exhaust cleaning service?
Booking is easy! Contact us via phone or visit our website to schedule a professional kitchen exhaust cleaning service. Our team will work with you to arrange a convenient time that minimises disruption to your business. For high-quality exhaust fan cleaning in Brisbane and kitchen exhaust cleaning on the Gold Coast, contact us today!