The combination of equipment working all at once in a kitchen can really turn up the heat. Making the situation more intense is the heat that comes with the summer months. While chefs and line cooks have certain methods of dealing with hot kitchens, there are times when a remodel is due.

Issues

When makeup air temperatures are too high, they make the temperatures in an already hot commercial kitchen environment even worse. This can be a problem during times of intense cooking. The incoming air during hot summer months also make the situation worse.

Another problem that commercial kitchens can suffer from include high humidity levels, especially in times of intense cooking and even during dishwashing. Turbulent air currents due to problems with supply and exhaust air amounts and fan performance is also a problem in commercial kitchens.

Fire is also a potential hazard in kitchens given the number of equipment operating all at once and for the long number of hours worked each day.

Investigation

The different kitchen discomfort issues raised by staff should be examined so that solutions can be provided. An inventory of the cooking appliances and equipment should be made, with attention paid to the amount of heat they generate.

An assessment should also be made on whether or not the exhaust hood being used is sufficient enough for the space and the amount of equipment used.

Determination

The causes of kitchen discomfort can often be traced to an insufficient exhaust hood. Although its installation complied with regulation, it doesn’t do a good job of containing heat, water vapor, and grease effluents.

Sometimes, the design of the exhaust hood is the reason it can’t do its job properly. High static pressure can also cause exhaust fans to perform poorly.

Solutions

Several changes in equipment as well as operations need to be made in order to solve the problem of heat in kitchens. Ineffective hoods need to be replaced with more effective ones, like solutions from Exhaust Hood Depot that come with or without fire suppression systems.

The installation of high-efficiency grease filters can also be carried out. Heavy duty fans can also take the place of a large exhaust fan, depending on how a kitchen is laid out.

If there is a problem with the old one, a better makeup air system, like those sold by Exhaust Hood Depot, needs to be installed. Diffusers also need to be changed, but the exact kind will depend on the heat issues the kitchen is having; there might be a need to shift from high-velocity ceiling air diffusers to lower-velocity diffusers.

Exhaust Hood Depot sells top quality hood systems for restaurants and commercial kitchens. Heat will always be an issue in kitchens but your staff doesn’t need to suffer. Frequent assessments need to be made to ensure all systems are working, and there should be no hesitation when it’s time for a remodel. Doing so not only keeps staff comfortable, it also ensures that working conditions are safe.