Home · Fix Guides · Ventilation Hood — Grease Buildup or Filters Not Cleaned
CCore · FDA Food Code 6-501.14 · 90 days (Core)

How to fix: Ventilation Hood — Grease Buildup or Filters Not Cleaned

The ventilation hood above cooking equipment had visible grease buildup on filters, baffles, or hood surfaces, creating a fire hazard and pest attractant.

What this violation means

FDA Food Code 6-501.14 requires that ventilation systems be cleaned at frequencies that prevent grease or dust from accumulating. Commercial kitchen hoods must be cleaned regularly — typically quarterly for high-volume operations, semi-annually for moderate use, and annually for low-use kitchens — though inspectors cite based on visible condition, not schedule alone. Grease-caked hood filters restrict airflow, reducing the hood's effectiveness at removing smoke, steam, and combustion byproducts. Heavy grease accumulation is also a significant fire hazard. Inspectors check filter surfaces, baffles, and the interior hood plenum visible from below.

Step-by-step: how to fix this before re-inspection

1Clean or replace hood filters and baffles — remove them, degrease thoroughly, rinse, and reinstall or replace with new ones if damaged
2Have a certified hood cleaning company perform a full hood and duct cleaning if the plenum shows significant grease accumulation
3Keep documentation of all hood cleaning services — date, company, scope of work, and technician signature
4Establish a cleaning frequency schedule based on your cooking volume and post it near the hood
5Add daily filter wiping to your closing checklist to reduce grease accumulation between professional cleanings

What the inspector rechecks at re-inspection

WHAT THE INSPECTOR CHECKS

Inspectors do not just look at the surface. For this violation, expect them to verify:

☐Visually inspects hood filters and baffles for grease buildup — removes filters if necessary to check the plenum
☐Looks for grease dripping or pooling on cooking equipment surfaces below the hood
☐Checks whether a hood cleaning log or service record is available
☐Verifies filters are the correct type and seated properly
☐Notes the last professional hood cleaning date if documented

How to prevent this violation from recurring

Schedule professional hood cleaning on a calendar in advance and keep all service records
Clean or replace filters at least monthly in high-volume operations
Check grease drip cups weekly and empty before they overflow

Related violations to check

Dumpster Area Not Maintained→Food Not Covered or Protected→Pest Evidence in Food Prep Area→
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This document is for informational purposes only. It is not legal advice and does not guarantee a passing re-inspection score. Always verify requirements with your local health department. Fix steps are based on FDA Food Code 6-501.14; individual jurisdictions may have additional requirements.

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