Exhaust filter cleaning for baffle and mesh filters
Grease filters catch grease before it reaches the duct, so they clog first. HoodEx removes, soaks, degreases and inspects baffle and mesh filters, then returns them to service, for restaurants, hotels, cloud kitchens and homes across the UAE.
- We inspect before we quote
- Report with before and after photos
- Day and night shifts
Your kitchen exhaust system, in one picture
Smoke and grease rise from the cooking line into the hood, pass through the filters, travel up the duct and leave through the fan. Some kitchens also have an ESP or ecology unit in the path. HoodEx cleans that whole path, and the highlighted part is what this page covers.
- 1
Hood. The first line of capture above the cook line.
- 2
Filters. Baffle filters that trap grease before it reaches the duct.This page
- 3
Exhaust Duct. The hidden network carrying air — and grease — out of the building.
- 4
ESP Unit. Electrostatic precipitators used in select kitchen setups.
- 5
Exhaust Fan. The motor that pulls contaminated air out of the kitchen.
What's included
- Every baffle or mesh filter panel degreased, descaled and dried
- Filters inspected before they go back into service
- A note if any filter is damaged and should be replaced
Every cleaning ends with a company-attested report that includes before and after photos and recommendations, plus a cleaning certificate showing the cleaning date and the next due date. Our cleaning follows the NFPA 96 standard, and the certificate states it.
Signs it needs cleaning
- Grease dripping from the filters
- Visibly clogged or blackened filter panels
- Weaker extraction than before
- Bent or torn filters that no longer seat tightly
How we do it
Filters are taken out, soaked and degreased, then checked before being refitted. The right product depends on the material: stainless steel baffle filters tolerate hot alkaline degreasers, while aluminium mesh filters need a milder cleaner because strong caustic products attack aluminium.
Want to know what your own team can safely do between professional visits? Read our guide on how to clean a commercial kitchen hood.
Frequently asked questions
How often should exhaust filters be cleaned?
Filters catch grease first, so they need the most frequent attention. In a busy kitchen with fryers and grills, weekly soaking is a common routine, while lighter kitchens can stretch it. We can advise after inspecting your system.
When should a filter be replaced instead of cleaned?
If a filter is bent, torn or no longer seats tightly, replace it. A filter that does not seal lets grease bypass it and collect in the duct.
Can I clean the filters myself?
Filters are designed to be removed for cleaning, so a regular staff routine is sensible. A professional clean helps when grease has built up beyond what a routine soak removes, or when the rest of the system needs attention too.
More questions? See our full FAQ.
Helpful guides
Which degreasers work on commercial kitchen hoods and filters, which surfaces they can damage, and the safety steps to follow before you clean.
Step-by-step guide to cleaning kitchen baffle and mesh grease filters with a hot soak, how often to do it, and when filters need replacing.
A smelly cooker hood or range hood usually means saturated grease filters, a spent carbon filter or grease in the fan. Here is how to find and fix it.
Where we do this
Hood filter cleaning UAE-wide: baffle and mesh filters for kitchens in all seven emirates and Al Ain. Our exhaust filter cleaning team works in every emirate, with day and night shifts.
Book exhaust filter cleaning.
Not sure what your system needs? We inspect it first and recommend only what's needed.