Grease Isn’t Just Dirt—It’s a Fire Hazard
Solid national data show just how common fires in commercial kitchens are and how often grease and cooking equipment are involved. 📊 U.S. Restaurant Fire Statistics U.S. fire departments respond to an average of around 7,400–7,600 structure fires in eating and drinking establishments each year. Cooking equipment is the leading cause, responsible for roughly 60–61% of these restaurant fires. 🔥 Grease Buildup’s Role Within those fires tied to cooking equipment, failure to clean (which includes grease buildup on hoods, ducts, and appliances) is frequently cited as a key contributor. In one NFPA-derived analysis, about 22% of cooking-equipment– related fires resulted from failure to clean. Hood Cleaning Separate NFPA-linked data indicate that poorly cleaned hoods and ductwork account for around 21% of restaurant fires. 🍽 What This Means Taken together: A majority (about 6 in 10) of restaurant fires start with cooking equipment.
A substantial portion of those fires is directly tied to grease buildup or lack of proper cleaning and maintenance — a preventable risk factor. So yes — grease buildup isn’t just a cleanliness issue. It’s a major safety issue because it contributes materially to a large share of commercial kitchen fires. Regular, professional cleaning and maintenance of hoods, ducts, and cooking systems dramatically reduces this real risk to employees, guests, and property.
HOSPITALITY NEWS JAN | Page 31
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