subject: Let The Games Begin With A Clean Kitchen Extraction System [print this page] The summer season and the 2012 Olympics are fast approaching and the owners of restaurants and cafes will want to be confident that they can take advantage of the increased opportunities.
This kind of headline is something they will want to avoid: "City evacuation after takeaway fire drama".
Kitchen extraction systems are essential parts of the equipment in a commercial catering establishment, yet the fire services in the UK estimate that as much as 80% of them are never cleaned.
The accumulation of dust and grease inside the ductwork represents a fire risk, but also potentially the perfect medium in which bacteria can multiply.
Regular kitchen extract cleaning is a must to avoid these risks but it is also essential to comply with both fire safety and environmental health regulations and a certificate is now also required by insurers anxious to avoid paying out on claims unless absolutely necessary.
The frequency of extraction cleaning should be timed to the type of cooking being carried out in the kitchen and to the level of activity. It is recommended that for kitchens in heavy use extract cleaning should be every three months, for example.The ABI (Association of British Insurers) recommends that kitchen extract cleaning may need to be carried out monthly if usage is particularly heavy. Oily, fried and spicy dishes are likely to result in higher levels of oil dissolved in the steam that is then taken away through the extraction system and has the potential not only to leave deposits in the ductwork but also to clog up filters more quickly.
A food advisory group has been set up to ensure that all catering at venues associated with the Olympic Games conform to what it calls exemplary standards but the group admits that it cannot control the standards at other catered locations that might be associated with the games.
These include transport hubs, such as railway stations and airports, but also myriad other catering events across the UK's hotel and restaurant sector, and around the country, at Live Sites, festivals, celebrations, regional food fairs and cultural events along the route of the torch Relay.
Naturally local restaurants, pubs and other caterers will want to take advantage of the opportunities the event offers.
An extra kitchen extract cleaning by a professional cleaning company that has the expertise, equipment and cleaning products to do the job thoroughly and safely would be a wise investment for caterers hoping to take advantage of the business opportunities the summer and the games present without risking any negative headlines.
