By Tennessee Hood Cleaners · Updated 2026-10-11
Same words, different scopes
Many people say hood cleaning to mean the whole exhaust system. Others use it to mean only the stainless canopy. The difference matters because most grease in a system can be hidden in the duct and fan.
Canopy-only cleaning
Wiping or washing the visible hood improves appearance but leaves the plenum, duct, and fan untouched. It is not a substitute for full exhaust cleaning.
Full exhaust cleaning
A full service cleans the hood, plenum, filters, accessible duct, and fan, and documents any areas that could not be reached. This is the service that addresses fire load throughout the system.