Hood systems for food trucks are specifically designed to facilitate air filtration and ventilation within a food truck. Like their counterparts in traditional commercial kitchens, Hood systems for food trucks filter the air and remove grease and other particles from your truck. While the function is the same, the size is considerably different. Food truck hoods are designed to compact and fit your small space without cluttering it. Since food trucks are small spaces, it is important to maintain sound ventilation to avoid health hazards.
What Do Commercial Kitchen Hood Systems Do?
Commercial kitchen hood systems generally serve many purposes within the kitchen. Even though a kitchen is where the magic of food happens, it can also be a dangerous space, and exhaust hoods are basic safety measures. Some of the main benefits of commercial kitchen hood systems are:
- Cleaning the Air by Removing Grease and Sediments: Kitchens are small spaces, and for the health of your staff and the sanity of your kitchen, you need good ventilation.
- Preventing Fire Hazards: While it might appear irrelevant, cleaning the air by removing grease also prevents fires. Oil is highly flammable, and such flammable particles in the air can be dangerous, especially in food trucks, considering that it is a fuel-powered trucks. Hood systems for food trucks will remove flammable pieces from the air and protect your vehicle against fire hazards.
- Protecting Your Ingredients and Staff: Proper ventilation is important for the quality of the air you and your team breathe. Also, the ingredients such as vegetables and meat need to be protected from the sediments and dust in the air for you to serve delicious and healthy meals.
- Bringing Your Establishment Up to Code: Health codes are important to follow for the longevity of your business and public safety. Depending on the state you are operating from, requirements for health codes might differ. Yet, regardless of your location, a health inspector will want to see a clean and well-ventilated kitchen, and hood systems for food trucks are the best way to achieve this in a food truck.
What You Need to Know Before Installing a Hood System for Food Truck
While it might appear straightforward enough, there are a few nuances you shouldn’t overlook when buying and installing a hood system into your food truck.
- The type of hood systems for food trucks is important. Hoods come in mainly two types; type I and type II. Type I hoods are good for food trucks that serve grilled and deep-fried meals since they come with a grease filter. Type II, on the other hand, is only used for heat and moisture control and will not be sufficient to deal with grease particles in the air. You can choose the category that meets your needs depending on the food you serve.
On the other hand, exhaust hoods and ventless hoods are the other two categories, based on whether they have a connection to the outdoors. Food trucks utilize exhaust hood-designed hood systems since they connect to the outdoors. Concession trailer model hoods are equipped to filter out grease, heat, and moisture and deal with pests. You need a well-designed food truck hood system to properly filter and expel air from your unit. Since ventilation systems eventually release the filtered-out air to the outside, it is important that you opt for a green option that will have minimum effect on the environment.
- The placement of the commercial hoods might be subject to code requirements. While hoods are usually placed above the machinery they target, there can be regulations regarding their placement within the unit and in relation to other pieces of equipment. This can range from leaving several inches between machines, walls, ceiling, etc., or requiring you to keep two things completely apart. Such requirements change from state to state, and it is best to check your local codes before you install the hoods.
- Size is a major consideration for small spaces. Luckily, hood systems for food trucks are built to be compact, and you can choose from several different compact sizes depending on your own space.
Eco-Friendly Hood Systems for Food Trucks Options and Practices
Generally, there are a few eco-friendly hood systems for food trucks that business owners should take into consideration when purchasing or maintaining one:
- Energy-Efficient Hood Systems: They are designed with energy saver components, such as speed fans, that can reduce energy consumption and save money on utility bills.
- Recycling and Waste Reduction: As a food truck business owner, you can look for hood filters made from recyclable materials, such as aluminum.
- Using Eco-Friendly Cleaning Products: You can choose less harmful cleaning products to the environment than traditional cleaning materials.
- Installation of a Solar-Powered Exhaust Fan: Installing a solar-powered hood exhaust fan will reduce the energy consumption of commercial hood systems.
- Proper Disposal of Waste: Disposing of waste, such as grease and oil, is crucial to prevent pollution and environmental harm. You should follow the regulations for the proper disposal of waste materials.
Cleaning Tips for Hood Systems for Food Trucks
Commercial hood systems for food trucks function to remove sediments and unwanted particles from the air. Over time there can be a build-up on the surface of the filters, and this can cause major problems in the long term. Establishing and following a regular cleaning and maintenance routine for the hoods is crucial and can help reduce the amount of grade and other waste generated.
Food trucks have small hood systems, and build-ups can occur faster than usual. If you are using charcoal or wood for cooking your meals, grease, and sediments build-up might require you to clean the hood once every month. However, if you have a moderate cooking schedule with electricity or gas, once every six months should suffice to keep your hood system clean.
Conclusion
Hood systems for food trucks are crucial to the longevity and healthy operation of food trucks. They have many benefits; you need them to bring your kitchen up to code and prevent health and fire hazards. Once you acquire a food truck hood system, you’ll have an easier and healthier time operating your food truck. Don’t forget to clean it regularly!
You may also wish to read our articles about how to start food truck business, which food truck equipment you may need, and a quick guide about commercial exhaust hoods.
