Kitchen exhaust cleaners don’t have it easy; it takes patience, passion, and willpower. Each kind of restaurant produces grease that is directly connected to what is being cooked. For instance, grease from an Asian restaurant is completely different from grease produced from an American restaurant. Asian restaurant grease can be troublesome for kitchen exhaust cleaners because the grease caramelizes from the high temperatures and sugars used during the food preparation. American restaurants on the other hand, produce a high volume of grease, that is not as sticky but, the sheer volume of grease can cause other issues. With a job like that, you certainly want the best technology to tackle any type of grease efficiently.

The TEGRAS method combines, in a single system, the four elements of the Sinner Circle: Mechanical Action (brushing), Chemical Product (degreaser), Temperature and Time (the period of time for which the foam adheres to the grease to perform its degreasing action). The TEGRAS speeds up the entire kitchen exhaust cleaning process, to the point it could be considered automated. Today, we will focus on cleaning the hood system and offer you a look at how the TEGRAS method can make this process more efficient!

The Standard Practice

Typical kitchen exhaust cleanings usually involve a standard power washing truck or van. Usually the trucks/vans have a hot water pressure system in the back and kitchen exhaust cleaners will position their vehicle somewhere on the backside of the building where they can have easy access to get inside. From there, cleaners will drag a pressure line into the building and tape off, mask off, and plastic the indoor area for spraying.

Typical hood cleanings usually involve the application of chemical, which is typically applied using a pump up sprayer. Once everything is ready, the cleaner will take the sprayer and coat the entire hood, plenum, and ducts with their chosen chemical/foam. Depending on the pump up sprayer this could involve mulitiple refills, climbing onto equipment, ladders, and multiple moves. In addition, there are different tips that can be attached to this sprayer to help it reach difficult angles and get into the tight nooks and crannies of the hood. If the cleaner does not have a one-size-fits-all tip, then they will need to change this out in-between sprays.

Once the chemical has set for the designated time, the cleaners will switch over to power washing to rinse with hot water and pressure to remove the chemical and grease. They may need to reapply the chemical until all the grease is removed and washed away. Once all the grease is gone, a high-pressure hot water rinse will finish the process.

The TEGRAS Method

Active Foam

As with the standard method, application of the chemical is fundamental to the entire process. The COMEGRAS chemical is the champion of the Tegras methodology. It is extremely effective on all types of grease, and is unlike many chemicals because it is formulated to create a heavy duty active foam. When the active foam is applied it clings to the stainless steel hood surface.  Dwell time is key. The active foam will go from white to orange in color as it breaks down the grease. The heavy duty foam will cling and pull down the grease. With adequate dwell time, light rinse will remove all remnants of grease, leaving a bare-metal clean.

Application of Chemical

The standard method of cleaning involves grabbing a pump-up sprayer and climbing up to reach the hood and apply the chemical. A manual procedure that involves refilling, pumping, and reapplying as needed. The TEGRAS method automates this procedure with the active foam generators, the IFOAM PRO and the IFOAM COMPACT. These machines were specifically designed to regulate all the degreasing foam parameters, guaranteeing the perfect adherence of the chemical to any surface. With a simple push of a button the IFOAM PRO and IFOAM COMPACT apply the active foam, COMEGRAS. There is less waste than other chemicals that often require reapplication. The active foam generators apply the perfect composition of chemical.

Rinsing the Hood System

That standard method of cleaning involves the use of a powerwash truck. KEC’s will feed the hose to the hood system to hot pressure wash the surface. With the TEGRAS method, no additional equipment is needed to clean the hood. The active foam generators, the IFOAM PRO and IFOAM COMPACT, provide everything you need to clean hoods, plenums, and exhaust fans in a single unit. These units switch from chemical application to rinse mode with a simple push of a button. The COMEGRAS chemical does most of the work, the hood requires only a light rinse. These machines are ideal for the most demanding hood cleaning!

Conclusion

The TEGRAS method of kitchen exhaust cleaning is the perfect way to get back more time and money for your company. With the time saved, more restaurants can be cleaned, helping to make your business more money. If you are ready to take your kitchen exhaust cleaning business to the next level, contact an Omni Containment Systems team member. We would be happy to help you choose the perfect set up to help elevate your business.