Commercial Kitchen Ventilation Equipment

Smoke and grease threaten your kitchen. Restaurant ventilation systems stand guard.
By Lorri Mealey, Owner The Boiler Room Restaurant By law, all restaurants must have some sort of ventilation in place before opening for business. Commercial kitchen ventilation equipment is vital for good air quality and overall safety of the building and the employees.   

There are many different styles of commercial kitchen ventilation equipment to meet a variety of needs and configurations. Prices for commercial kitchen equipment can run anywhere from $5,000 for a simple gas range to $100,000 or more for an entire kitchen ventilation system. 

Before shopping for commercial ventilation equipment, you need to: 

1. Estimate the size hood you will need. This is determined by the number of stoves, ranges, grills, etc. that make up your cooking line.
2. Visit your local fire code marshal, who can tell you the specific requirements for commercial kitchen ventilation and fire safety.
3. Contact a local electrician to find out the project specs. An electrician can give you a ballpark estimate of the work that needs to be done.
4. Consult a mechanical engineer, if necessary, to review your commercial kitchen space for the best location for equipment, and make recommendations regarding the type of ventilation system you should purchase.  

Size up your commercial kitchen equipment

There are many different kinds of commercial ventilation hoods and exhaust fans available. Kitchen ventilation equipment comes in both standard and custom sizes, depending on your layout.
Try:  Greenheck can help you plan and equip your commercial kitchen with their kitchen ventilation application and design guide. You can also contact Ventilation Direct, a leading manufacturer of stainless steel hoods. They carry both canopy and island mounted hoods, ideal for commercial kitchens.   

Make safety the No. 1 priority

Two critical elements of commercial kitchen ventilation equipment are fire extinguishing and grease extraction. With any cooking equipment, there is a chance of accident or fire. However, restaurant kitchens, because they are operating all day and night, need to be extra cautious where safety is concerned. Grease buildup, a common problem of many restaurant kitchens, presents a potential fire hazard.
Try:  APS Hoods offers both installation and fire safety checks for commercial kitchens. They also work with your HVAC system, installing, repairing and servicing every type of rooftop unit. Safety First Services offers hood cleaning to remove dangerous buildup of grease and other debris. Along with cleaning restaurant ventilation systems, Safety First Services also does general commercial kitchen maintenance.

Used professional kitchen equipment is a tight budget's best friend

One of the best ways to save money when outfitting your commercial kitchen is to buy used equipment. You can save hundreds, even thousands of dollars by purchasing "gently used" commercial equipment. Whole distributors are another place to look for steeply discounted prices on commercial ventilation
Try:  Jean's Restaurant Supply offers both new and used kitchen ventilation systems. ACityDiscount.com offers a large number of used and new kitchen ventilation equipment at wholesale prices. 

Soup to nuts (and bolts): Installing commercial ventilation hoods

Many companies that make commercial kitchen hoods also offer installation. Unless you have experience installing ventilation systems, it is best to leave it to a professional. If the manufacturer does not provide installation, you should contact a fire safety company or a heating company, both of which should have staff trained in the proper installation of commercial kitchen hoods.
Try:  Ventilation Technology is an expert in installation of commercial ventilation hoods. BPA is another vendor of commercial restaurant hoods who also specializes in installation. They can walk you through setting up your kitchen and suggest which ventilation systems are right for you.

• A used kitchen hood may have some dings and scratches, but that shouldn't affect its performance. Unless you plan to have an open kitchen in your restaurant, purchasing a hood with a little wear and tear is fine, since customers won't see it.
• Get familiar with your local building and safety codes. The local fire marshal and code enforcement officer can walk you through the type of ventilation needed for a particular building, as well as the type of fire suppression system that is needed.