Ultimate Onsite Cleaning Solutions
Fixed and heavy equipment is often overlooked within a catering operation. Normal day-to-day cleaning schedules focus on walls, floors, tables, ovens and the rest.
However, due to the nature of a kitchen, the areas below, inside, behind and on top of this equipment will, over a period of time, become covered in FOG. This, if not dealt with timeously, will result in a build-up that is not only unsightly but unhygienic, and odorous, will attract pests and bacteria and is potentially dangerous to staff and customers alike.
Our Onsite Cleaning division will assist you in attaining the Ultimate Cleaning solution for your kitchen – in line with applicable legislation and regulations.
Grease Trap Cleaning
A grease trap/interceptor keeps working by constantly capturing the grease above and solid food waste below in the tank.
If the tank is not cleaned on a regular basis, the waste will pile up in the tank, causing the additional food waste and FOG (Fat, Oil and Grease) coming out of the kitchen sink or dishwasher to flow down the sewer system.
Benefits of maintaining grease traps
If the food establishment’s grease trap is not cleaned on regular basis it may lead to bad odours, and blockages that may lead to unhygienic conditions.
Grease traps can generate flammable and toxic gases over time. These gases can include methane (natural gas), hydrogen sulfide, carbon monoxide, carbon dioxide, and/or other gases depending on the greases, oils, and hats found in the grease traps.
Odours emanating from your grease traps are not only unpleasant, but they are also dangerous. Employees may become ill from inhaling over time.
This results in excessive needs for sick time off and even possibly workers‘ compensation claims.
FOG backups are one of the most common problems of grease trap systems. As the interceptor becomes too full, the FOG will
begin to go back up the drain, causing spillages of oil and grease which can become expensive
to clean up and require you to close your doors for clean-up and repairs. Never mind the negative customer association with a ‘smelly’
kitchen.
Disadvantages when not cleaning a grease trap
Clean grease traps prevent clogs and backup. When too much fat, oil, and grease (commonly known as “FOG“ in the industry) accumulates in grease traps, they can clog up. Not only does a clogged trap have reduced functionality, hence it is important to regularly clean the grease traps to avoid the inconvenience.
Grease trap systems are cheaper to maintain than repair. Hence it is important to clean and maintain grease traps. When grease traps are neglected and get clogged up, a malfunction is waiting to happen. For example, an emergency repair that halts business operations for a time will likely be more expensive than regular cleaning and maintenance.
Clean grease traps prevent blockages that may lead to water and land pollution. Prevent blockages that may lead to bad odours that may adversely affect your well-being if frequently exposed to it.
Clean grease traps prevent blockages that may lead to water and land pollution. Prevent blockages that may lead to bad odours that may adversely affect your well-being if frequently exposed to it.
Cleaning frequency of the Grease Trap
How often your grease trap needs cleaning depends on various things – the buildings size, the food you serve, how much business you do, and how much the trap can hold.
On average, cleaning should be performed every one to three months. Failure to do this could leave you with a smelly, toxic and costly problem.
Extraction Fan Cleaning
A kitchen hood, extractor hood, or range hood, exhaust hood is a device containing a mechanical fan that hangs above the stove or cooktop in the kitchen. It removes airborne grease, combustion products, fumes, smoke, heat, and steam. from the air by evacuation of the air and filtration.
The canopy removes all the smoke, steam, grease, and other potentially toxic particles which are formed while cooking. It sucks in all the undesirable gaseous elements from the room and expels them out along with the grease and smoke, helping to improve the indoor air quality to great extent. Better air quality is not only related to safety but also the health and wellbeing of your employees.
Benefits of maintaining the kitchen extraction
- Having your canopy and filters regularly inspected and cleaning can help keep insurance premiums low when insurance companies see that the necessary steps are taken to maintain the canopy.
- Improves Ventilation inside the food facility/establishment.
- Mitigate the risk of fire.
- Helps to reduce maintenance cost. Example: repairs on the fan motor.
- Cleaning your canopy will improve the ventilation of smoke and other odours throughout your kitchen.
- By improving air quality, it helps also with the prevention of contracting unnecessary diseases which may be caused by pathogens which develops inside the duct.
- This also helps with the health and safety wellbeing of employees by having a positive effect of the kitchen ambience temperature.
Disadvantages of not cleaning your kitchen extraction clean
- It can increase the risk of fire, a high flame either flares up or is created on the stovetop. The flame encounters the filters and ignites and with the exhaust fan drawing in air the flames are also drawn upwards into the ducting.
- Poor ventilation in the kitchen which may result in the spreading of pathogens developing in the duct.
- It will also increase maintenance cost of the fan motor and blades.
- Safety audits by health, safety, and hygiene companies who conduct inspections will find the kitchen not complying with the regulations i.e. SANS 1850.
- If your exhaust system is clogged up with grease and grime it is preventing air from being circulated, as a result it may allow foul odours to travel through the building.
- Unclean canopy and filters may pose a risk of food cross contamination during food production by dripping grease from the canopy.
- A dirty kitchen is a breeding ground for bacteria, mould, and mildew due to high volume of moisture and heat.
Assessment of the Extraction Canopy
Spectank® cleaning team will come out and assess the kitchen extraction before submitting a quote. The assessment is based on the following:
- Are we able to access the motor on the roof?
- How far can we get to the duct?
- How many filters are on the canopy?
- Site specific risk assessment.
- Take pictures which will be included in the report.
We will also advise on the cleaning frequency and provide recomendations.
Achieving the Ultimate Solution
- In pursuit of a quality service, Spectank® management and technicians, will monitor, review, and implement auditing procedures to ensure that the client's needs are identified and satisfaction is achieved.
- These procedures involve innivative techniques such as the use of online auditing via checklists.
- Compliance also plays a vital role within the service which the company provides and as exspected of Spectank®, we strictly adhere to all health and safety legislation and guidelines as prescribed ie SANS 18:50 : 2014.
- Spectank® has developed RExft which is manufactured inhouse and it is specifically designed for extraction cleaning.
- At Spectank® we have a professionally trained team of motivated individuals who will visit your site with a view to taking a fresh look at your workplace services requirements to develop a competitive, commercial proposal. Online interaction is one of the tools which Spectank® uses with its customers. For example, client satisfaction reports will be sent to customers for feedback after each service and a full report with the pictures will be sent.
- Spectank's® commitment is to supply a consistent, quality workplace service to all business sectors in South Africa. ie Blue chip companies, hotels, restaurants, hospitals and old age homes.
- We are an established service provider with over 15 years of experience in the hospitality industry. Our commitment to providing a FIRST IN CLASS service is our priority, along with continuad research into the latest extraction cleaning methodologies and equipment technology that will benefit our clients.
- Call us now for a quote and information on the other services we offer.
Kitchen Deep Cleaning
A kitchen deep clean is a professional standard of cleaning that goes above everyday cleaning tasks deployed in commercial kitchens and dining areas.
A kitchen deep clean may be needed if a property has been newly purchased and has been found to be in a state of disrepair. It may have a build-up of dirt, debris, or even just everyday dust, which needs to be cleaned before the kitchen can be used. Kitchen deep cleaning is perfect for providing a safe, clean, and hygienic space for employees, visitors, and customers. Specialised, commercial grade cleaning equipment and techniques are used throughout the cleaning process, including eco-friendly and biodegradable chemicals where feasible, to de-scale, de-grease and remove carbon deposits.
Benefits of kitchen deep cleaning
As well as creating a safe, clean, and hygienic space, a kitchen deep clean will help your business in the following ways:
Since the outbreak of the Coronavirus, awareness has been raised regarding viruses such as Coronavirus, Listeriosis. It has been made a vital role of the businesses to mitigate the risk of microbial presence such as viruses and bacteria. A kitchen deep clean is ideal for fully sanitising the food establishment surfaces and equipment in your kitchen and dining areas.
This is because deep clean includes paying attention to detail when cleaning the food establishment i.e. kitchen floors, equipment, sinks and taps, and general storage areas as well as hard to reach areas that normal daily cleaning processes may overlook.
A kitchen is purposely designed to prepare, cook, and consume food. The presence of food unfortunately means that there is an increased chance of food borne diseases. These
diseases can often cause humans to become extremely ill. A kitchen deep clean allows you to mitigate most of the risk associated with these diseases spreading making it a safer
environment to prepare and serve food from.
Within the food industry, whether you are providing a service for customers or producing food for employees, there are specific regulations set by the government to keep the consumers safe. These regulations are around:
- Food hygiene
- Kitchen ventilation
A kitchen deep clean can be specially created to help your business abide to these rules and regulations. Keeping your kitchen clean will improve ventilation and by undertaking a deep clean, you can ensure that you have mitigated as much risk as possible and remove the
possibility of creating an unsafe environment.
Kitchen equipment is usually very specialised and expensive. Even if you are not in a
commercial kitchen, ensuring that your equipment lasts as long as possible is great for your business. It can save you lots of money and allow your employees to efficiently carry out their tasks.
A kitchen deep clean is excellent for your equipment as it removes potential harmful
dirt, grease, and oil that may be affecting the operation of the equipment. The techniques and cleaning chemicals used will help preserve the life of the equipment and return them to as close to new as possible.
