In commercial kitchens that are in hotels, restaurants, event halls or catering services, temperature rises are unavoidable. Heat is generated during cooking and even from appliances like fridges, dishwashers, and ovens. As a result, the temperature rises are too high and therefore makes the working environment not only uncomfortable but also unhealthy. As the Chef and kitchen staff work for many hours in the Kitchen, their job is very demanding. So a comfortable workspace is elementary for them. Therefore, professional chefs apart from being concerned about using the best ingredients for their dishes, want to make the most of technological progress to enhance working conditions for the staff.
Hence installing kitchen extraction and ventilation systems are crucial for the well being of the staff and the customers. The ventilation systems, extract the contaminated stale air from the interior and lets clean and fresh air into the kitchen. Apart from that, a good ventilation system also expells grease, odours and heat from the kitchen premises.
What Are The Objectives Of A Kitchen Extraction And Ventilation System?
Commercial kitchen extraction and ventilation system help in various ways. However, the main objectives of it are:-
- To extract air that is contaminated by odours, grease particles and other gases that are produced during cooking.
- Extract the heat that is generated in huge amounts because of convection and radiation phenomena.
- To renew the interior air in the kitchen and adjacent areas and thereby maintain ideal temperatures required in each space.
- To ensure perfect conditions of health, hygiene and comfort for those who are working in the kitchen.
- It also has to quickly remove the moisture that is generated by the tasks of preparing and washing food and other utensils.
- It also ensures that your kitchen is in compliance with the current laws of each country on food hygiene and safety.
Why Is A Good Extraction And Ventilation System Important?
The foremost reason is that an effective ventilation system is a legal requirement that you must adhere to run your business. With that, you can ensure that your kitchen in a catering establishment is safe as well as comfortable. As mentioned above, cooking causes large amounts of fumes and vapours to be formed. When it combines with the sheer heat, it will cause great discomfort for the employees there. To prevent all this, it is crucial to install a kitchen extraction and ventilation system. As they will extract and expel these fumes to a safer location and provide adequate. The benefits of adequate ventilation are numerous. Let’s consider a few:-
- Adequate ventilation reduces the likelihood of employees experiencing eye or skin irritation. Moreover, breathing fumes and hazardous gases produced during cooking may cause respiratory problems. But with adequate ventilation, you can reduce such risks.
- Adequate ventilation also prevents excessive build p of fumes and other air-bore particles.
- Adequate ventilation and the resultant comfortable atmosphere will reduce stress in the workspace. As a result, employees will be less likely to be dissatisfied and so will be more productive.
- Maintains high air quality. This, apart from benefiting your employees will also let your customers dine in peace. They will not have to feel uncomfortable by experiencing unwanted heat, vapours and odours.
- A good extraction and ventilation system will prevent grease from building up. Otherwise during the frying process. grease will evaporate and gather on walls and ceilings. Apart from creating a dirty atmosphere, it is unhygienic and a serious threat to food safety.
What Are The Advantages of Installing Extraction Ventilation System in Commercial Kitchen?
Maintaining a clean, hygienic commercial kitchen will show your employees and customers that you care about their health and safety. Here some are the few advantages of installing a ventilation system in commercial kitchens:-
Prevents grease and dirt
In commercial kitchens, it is common for the ducts to get accumulated with grease. This will eventually lead to many risks which include health risk of the kitchen staff, damage to the roof of the restaurant, big fire accidents and reduction in the ventilation energy efficiency. Moreover, because of the grease accumulation in the ducts, it will reduce the inner diameter of the duct. This will increase the load of the extract fans and cause overheating problems. This will in turn reduce the life cycle of the extract fan and will lead to reduced airflow rate and reduced efficiency of the ventilation system. But with a professional mechanical extraction ventilation system, you can reduce all these problems, as they will remove grease particles from the air. So you will have clean, safe and fresh air in the kitchen.
Saves the environment
Grease goes into the upper extract points by being vapourised from the stovetop to the rooftop. This means that the air inside the commercial kitchen contains excessive amounts of grease particles which is a high environmental safety risk. But when you schedule professional cleanings of the ventilation system, you will eliminate polluted air in both the working and dining area. Moreover, in these systems, the extracted air will be effectively removed from the space expelled to a safe exterior location.
Prevents accidental fire
If you allow huge amounts of grease to accumulate in your kitchen exhaust, there is a high possibility of a fire accident. But as the ventilation system will remove grease it will lower the risk of a fire accident.
Controls unpleasant odour
A professionally installed kitchen extraction and ventilation system will help in avoiding unpleasant odours from the kitchen.
Here Are Some Suggestions For Commercial Kitchen Ventilation
- Install high-efficiency specialized filters: It is always better to use specialised high-efficiency restaurant filters for your kitchen ventilation. Because better filters will better remove more airborne grease and contaminants. This will reduce the need for more frequent cleaning.
- Extend the hood: If you increase the overhand on the hood it can boost efficiency and limit the intake of conditioned air within the kitchen.
- Seal gaps: To prevent air loss and improve the ventilation efficiency ensure that the gaps behind the cooking and ventilation equipment are sealed.