Kitchen Hood Cleaning Questions, Answered with Sources (NYC and Boston)

How much does restaurant hood cleaning cost in NYC?

One NYC company posts $350 to $500 per cleaning for 1 to 2 hoods (Empire Hoods pricing page). A published NYC cost guide whose operator is not named estimates $150 to $600 per visit (commercialhoodcleaningnyc.com). Both seen October 9, 2026.

How much does hood cleaning cost in Boston?

We found no Boston company that posts its prices. One directory estimates $400 to $600 per service and $800 or more for high-volume kitchens (findhoodcleaner.com, a competitor estimate). Ask at least two listed companies for a written quote.

How much does hood cleaning cost per year in NYC?

At least four cleanings a year, because NYC requires cleaning at least every 3 months (FDNY notice to owners). At one NYC company’s posted price of $350 to $500 per cleaning for 1 to 2 hoods (Empire Hoods), that is $1,400 to $2,000 a year before fan service or extras.

Does exhaust fan cleaning cost extra?

Sometimes. One NYC company lists exhaust fan service separately at $150 to $400 (Empire Hoods pricing page). Ask whether the fan is included in the quote, because NYC rules include exhaust fans in the parts that must be cleaned (FDNY).

Is a first-time hood cleaning more expensive?

Often. One NYC cost guide says a first-time cleaning costs 20% to 50% more than a routine visit (commercialhoodcleaningnyc.com), and the same guide lists quarterly service at $200 to $400 a visit.

Is a very cheap hood cleaning quote a red flag?

Not by itself, but check what it covers. In NYC the hoods, filters, ducts and exhaust fans must all be cleaned to bare metal (FDNY notice), so ask the quote to name the duct and the fan, and ask for time-stamped before-and-after photos and a checklist of the work, which the FDNY tells owners to insist on (FDNY safety guide).

How often does a restaurant hood need to be cleaned in NYC?

At least every 3 months, and more often if needed. Vertical ducts more than 3 stories high must be cleaned at least every 6 months (FDNY notice, Fire Code 609.4.1).

How often must a kitchen hood be inspected in Massachusetts?

Monthly for solid-fuel cooking, quarterly for high-volume cooking (24-hour, charbroiling, wok), semi-annually for moderate volume and annually for low volume. The inspection decides whether cleaning is needed (Mass. Department of Fire Services).

How often should restaurant hood filters be cleaned?

In NYC, grease filters should be checked by eye every day and cleaned at least once a month. Staff can do this if they are trained; they do not need a Certificate of Fitness (FDNY safety guide).

What if my hood gets greasy before the next scheduled cleaning?

The FDNY says that is a sign you may need cleaning more often; the right frequency depends on how much and what type of cooking you do (FDNY notice to owners).

How often must a wood- or charcoal-fired kitchen exhaust be cleaned?

In NYC, solid-fuel equipment must be inspected monthly and cleaned by a W-64/P-64 Certificate of Fitness holder at least every 3 months (FDNY notice). In Massachusetts, solid-fuel systems are inspected monthly (Mass. DFS).

What should the hood cleaning sticker (decal) show in NYC?

The servicing company must put a decal on one or more hoods showing the company, its address and phone number, its FDNY certificate number, the Certificate of Fitness holders who did the cleaning and the cleaning date (FDNY notice).

How can I tell if an FDNY hood cleaning decal is fake?

Real FDNY rangehood decals have a QR code that opens the FDNY approved-company list, a metallic UV layer and a unique barcode serial number. Fakes lack a good metallic UV layer or it looks too dark (FDNY decal notice).

Can a company clean my hood if its FDNY approval or insurance has expired?

No. The FDNY says to check its website list of approved companies; a company with expired approval or insurance may not do the cleaning (FDNY safety guide). Our listings drop off on the expiry date shown on the official list.

What hood cleaning records does a restaurant need to keep?

In NYC the business owner must keep cleaning records for FDNY inspectors and keep grease-filter inspection and cleaning records with the date and what was done (FDNY notice; FDNY safety guide). In Massachusetts the owner and the certificate holder must keep inspection and cleaning records for at least three years (Mass. DFS).

What happens if a restaurant hood is not cleaned on time?

In NYC you can get violations if unsafe conditions exist, and the FDNY warns your insurer may have an issue with claims (FDNY safety guide). In Massachusetts the fire chief must issue a cease-and-desist order to a facility with no inspection in the past 12 months (Mass. DFS).

What is a hood cleaning deficiency report?

A written notice of problems the cleaner found. In NYC companies must give the customer a written letter about deficiencies and notify the FDNY (FDNY notice). In Boston companies must give deficiency reports to the owner, with a copy to Fire Prevention, including when there is no on-site exhaust system diagram (Boston Fire Department). In Massachusetts a certificate holder must notify the local fire department within 48 hours of an out-of-compliance system (Mass. DFS).

What is NFPA 96?

NFPA 96 is the National Fire Protection Association standard for ventilation control and fire protection of commercial cooking operations (NFPA). Boston cleaners must pass an exam based on the current NFPA 96 (Boston Fire Department), and the Massachusetts inspection schedule follows the same cooking-volume table (Mass. DFS).

Do you need a certificate to clean kitchen hoods?

Yes in both cities. In NYC every worker on site needs an FDNY W-64 or P-64 Certificate of Fitness and must work for an FDNY-approved company (FDNY notice). In Massachusetts cleaners and inspectors need a certificate of competency from the State Fire Marshal (Mass. DFS), and in Boston they must also register with the Boston Fire Department every year (Boston Fire Department).

Who can inspect a restaurant hood system in Massachusetts?

Only holders of a Type 1 license. Type 2 (restricted) license holders cannot inspect; they may only clean systems on their own property (Mass. DFS).

How do I check that a hood cleaning company is FDNY-approved?

Find its name and number on the FDNY approved-company list and check the approval and insurance dates (FDNY list, PDF). The FDNY says the list is updated every 30 days, and the QR code on a real FDNY decal opens it (FDNY decal notice).

How do I check that a Boston hood cleaner is registered?

Ask for the name of the technician who will do the work and look for that person on the Boston Fire Department’s registered list for the current year (2026 list, PDF). Registration is for the person, so check the name, not just the company.

What should I ask a hood cleaning company before hiring?

Ask: Is the company on the official list, with current dates (FDNY; Boston)? Will every worker show a valid Certificate of Fitness (FDNY)? Does the price include the duct and the roof fan (FDNY)? Will I get time-stamped before-and-after photos and a checklist of the work (FDNY)?

How can I tell if my hood was cleaned properly?

Ask for before-and-after photos with time stamps and a copy of the checklist of work done; the FDNY tells owners to insist on both and to make sure ducts are cleaned down to bare metal (FDNY safety guide).

Where can I complain about a bad hood cleaning in Massachusetts?

If you believe the work did not meet the code, you can file a complaint with your local fire department (Mass. DFS). In Boston, Fire Prevention is at 617-343-3628 (Boston Fire Department).

Can I clean my own restaurant hood in NYC?

Only the grease filters. Cleaning of the ducts and other parts above the hood must be done by FDNY-approved companies and their certified employees; grease filters may be cleaned by a trained, knowledgeable person without a Certificate of Fitness (FDNY safety guide).

Can restaurant staff clean the hood system in Massachusetts?

Only with a license. A Type 2 restricted license lets the holder clean systems on their own property, but not inspect them; inspections need a Type 1 license (Mass. DFS; license application page).

What does a full kitchen hood cleaning include?

In NYC the whole cooking exhaust system: hoods, grease filters, grease extractors, ducts, exhaust fans, pollution control devices and other parts, cleaned to bare metal (FDNY notice, Fire Code 609.4.1).

Does hood cleaning include the fire suppression system?

No, in NYC it is a separate job. A Master Fire Suppression Piping contractor licensed by the NYC Department of Buildings must inspect, test and service the suppression system at least every 6 months and leave a tag (FDNY safety guide).

Who can clean a kitchen precipitator in NYC?

A technician with an FDNY P-64 Certificate of Fitness who works for an FDNY-approved precipitator company (FDNY P-64 page).

Does a hood cleaning company need special equipment?

In NYC, yes: the company must have the tools and equipment for the job, including ladders, lighting, scraping and washing equipment, cleaning materials and vehicles marked with the company name and FDNY company number (FDNY notice, 3 RCNY 115-01).