Industrial exhaust umbrellas for professional kitchens: types, installation, maintenance
It seems that the design of the exhaust umbrella for the industrial kitchen of public catering is simple. Well, what’s so difficult about it? Stainless steel dome and filter to trap grease and soot vapors. That’s all. But it is enough to delve into the design of the umbrella, as it becomes clear that it is not so simple. As in any modern equipment, it has its own nuances.
There are two types of structures:
- inflow-exhaust umbrellas;
- hooded umbrellas.
Inflow-exhaust umbrellas with grease traps remove all odors, steam, smoke and soot that appear during cooking into the ventilation channel, and their main feature is the presence of a fresh air supply system. The cost of supply-exhaust umbrellas is much higher than the prices of ordinary exhaust umbrellas. In addition, installation of supply and exhaust systems is more difficult, and maintenance requires more time and money.
Exhaust umbrellas with grease traps without a fresh air supply system are more common. A completely logical question arises. Where does fresh air come from? And it is supplied from other ventilation channels with the help of special devices. This option is considered more effective today, and it is most often used to build a high-quality ventilation system for professional kitchens in HoReCa establishments.
The best hooded umbrellas
All modern exhaust umbrellas are made of two main materials – galvanized or stainless steel. Galvanized kitchen umbrellas are an inexpensive option. The new equipment has a good appearance, and the zinc coating protects against rust, but after a certain time cracks and scratches appear on the surface. The zinc layer is damaged, which leads to corrosion that cannot be stopped.
In contrast to galvanized, extractor umbrellas made of high-quality stainless steel have high anti-corrosion properties, withstand high temperatures, are resistant to acidic and aggressive environments.
The most popular are wall-mounted exhaust umbrellas made of stainless steel. These models are called universal, because they are usually suitable for installation in the kitchens of catering establishments: cafes, canteens, restaurants. Such designs are easily attached to the wall above any cooking equipment.
Three ways of fastening ventilation umbrellas made of stainless steel:
- on the ceiling using hanging chains;
- to the supporting wall with expansion anchors;
- on a special frame.
Usually, the exhaust umbrella is installed at a height of approximately 70 centimeters from the gas or electric professional stove, but not higher than 110 centimeters. It is important to adhere to the recommended height so that the exhaust umbrella effectively draws in convective flows of hot air.
Another point worth paying attention to. It is necessary that the umbrella protrudes beyond the boundaries of electric and gas stoves by at least 10 centimeters. The slanted form of the hood of the snack type is considered more functional. This form catches the smoke and allows you to install the hood as low as possible to the heating equipment.
If we are talking about the installation of an island exhaust umbrella, then it is relevant for medium and large industrial kitchens. Professional restaurateurs build kitchens so that the main equipment for cooking is in one place, for example, in the middle, and is accessible to every cook.
It is important to make sure that the noise in the kitchen is as low as possible. The sound of the exhaust fan should not exceed 50-60 dB. If the noise level is higher, then working in such conditions will be difficult and harmful to the health of the staff.
A lighting system can be installed in the exhaust umbrella. This increases comfort at the workplace.
It is worth noting that separate models of exhaust umbrellas are used over braziers and braziers where an open fire is used. They are special in that the design provides for special filters for extinguishing sparks and tongues of flame. The so-called spark-extinguishing screens increase the level of fire safety.
What is the use of an oil filter or grease trap
Oil or butter is usually used during cooking. Frying meat or fish is always accompanied by the release of fat, drops of which rise into the air and settle on surfaces. Therefore, grease quickly accumulates on the air duct, fan impeller, and other parts of the ventilation system, on which dust and lint stick. As a result, the exhaust system becomes clogged, and the efficiency of its work deteriorates.
What will help? Labyrinth filters, so-called grease traps. These are metal plates made of stainless steel, installed at a certain angle. Drops of fat settle on them, which then drain into special vessels. Collected fat is removed through a tap.
Exhaust umbrellas with grease traps are mandatory for hot shops.
Tips for taking care of an extractor umbrella
- The lamellas of the grease trap must be wiped every day at the end of the work shift.
- It is necessary to drain the fat through a special faucet once a week. You also need to wash metal plates. You don’t have to do it manually. You can put the lamellas in an industrial dishwasher.
- It is useful to add detergent to the container for collecting grease. So the fat will not stagnate. It will be easy to drain it through the faucet, and wash the vessel.
- Regularly inspect air ducts and ventilation ducts and clean them of accumulated debris and grease.
Usually, in extractor umbrellas with grease traps, the plates are easy to remove. It is worth noting that in wall-mounted models, one row of grease traps is most often installed, and in island models, where a greater load is expected, two rows are installed. This helps effectively retain and remove soot.
Contact the Limited Liability Company “Technology-Experimental Plant” (TzOV “TEZ”, TEZ™) and we will help you choose the characteristics you need and manufacture high-quality industrial exhaust umbrellas (umbrellas) for professional kitchens!