Duct Doctor · London and the South East
Kitchen extract fan cleaning
Kitchen extract fans and their housings cleaned of grease, so the fan does its job and the last part of the system isn’t left as a fire risk.
- Grease caked on the fan blades or impeller
- A fan that’s noisy, vibrating or slow
- Grease leaking from the fan housing
What extract fan cleaning involves
The extract fan pulls cooking fumes through the canopy and duct and pushes them out of the building. Grease passes straight through it, and a lot of it stays. It coats the blades or impeller, collects in the bottom of the housing and can leak out onto roofs and walls. A greasy fan has to work harder: grease adds weight, can throw the impeller out of balance and slows the airflow, so the kitchen gets hotter and smokier. It is also part of the fire route, so TR19® Grease includes the fan, its housing and the discharge. We isolate the fan safely, open the housing, scrape and degrease the impeller or blades and the inside of the casing, then clean the discharge. If we find wear or damage, we’ll tell you and can quote for fan repair or replacement. Our article on extract fan problems covers the warning signs.
We cover London and the South East, and have done since 2009. We’re a BESCA Vent Hygiene Elite member, cleaning to BESA TR19® Grease, we hold CHAS, SafeContractor and ISO 9001, and we’re fully insured.
Problems we put right
- Grease caked on the fan blades or impeller
- A fan that’s noisy, vibrating or slow
- Grease leaking from the fan housing
- Weak extraction even with clean filters
- Grease building up at the discharge
What we work on
- Centrifugal fans
- Axial fans
- In-line fans
- Roof-mounted fans
- Fan housings
- Discharge points
How it works
- We check where the fan is, how it’s reached and how it is isolated.
- The fan is switched off and isolated so it can’t start while we work.
- We open the housing, take readings and photos, and scrape heavy grease from the impeller or blades.
- The impeller, casing and discharge are degreased and the waste grease is contained.
- The housing is closed, the fan is run and checked, and the results go on your photo report.
Signs your fan needs attention
A fan that is louder than it used to be, vibrates, rattles or seems to move less air is often carrying a heavy load of grease. Grease seeping from the housing or staining the roof or wall around the discharge is another sign. Cleaning often brings a struggling fan back to normal. If it doesn’t, the fan may need repair, and we’ll say so.
Fans on roofs and in plant rooms
Many kitchen fans sit on roofs, in plant rooms or above ceilings, which is why they get missed. We plan safe access at the survey stage and tell you what we need from you, such as roof access or keys to the plant room. Where a fan can’t be reached safely, we record it on the report rather than leave it off, and we’ll talk you through what would be needed to reach it next time.
Why it’s worth doing now
A greasy fan moves less air, so smoke and heat stay in the kitchen and more grease settles in the duct. The extra load and imbalance wear the fan faster, and a fan that fails mid-service can stop a kitchen cooking. Grease in the housing is also fuel at the end of the fire route, and it can leak onto roofs and walls. If your fan has started to sound different or the kitchen feels hotter than it used to, it’s worth having it cleaned and checked now.
What affects the quote
We don’t publish set prices, because no two systems are the same. Send us a few details and photos, or book a survey, and we’ll give you a fixed price before any work starts. The main things that change it are:
- The size of the system: number of canopies, length of ductwork, risers and fans
- How much grease or dirt has built up since the last clean
- Access: roof-level fans, ceiling voids, risers and how many access panels there are
- When the work can happen: overnight, weekends or school holidays
- Whether extras are needed, such as new access panels, filter exchange or damper testing
- How many sites you want covered on one schedule
What a good quote includes
- A survey or clear photos before the price is given
- Exactly which parts of the system will be cleaned or tested
- How areas that can't be reached will be recorded
- A certificate or written report with before-and-after photos
- Proof of insurance and accreditations you can check
- The recommended date for the next visit
Afterwards
The photo report shows the fan and housing before and after, with readings and any wear we noticed. Listen for changes in noise or vibration, and tell us if grease starts appearing around the housing again. Keep the filters clean, as they protect the fan. The fan is cleaned every time we carry out a full TR19 clean of your system.
Kitchen extract fan cleaning: common questions
Is the fan included in a TR19 clean?
Yes. TR19® Grease covers the whole extract system, including the fan, its housing and the discharge.
Will cleaning make my fan quieter?
Often, yes, if the noise comes from grease on the impeller throwing it out of balance. If the noise is from worn parts, we’ll tell you and can quote for a repair.
Can you clean a fan on the roof?
Yes, where it can be reached safely. Tell us about roof access when you ask for a quote and we’ll plan for it.
Why is grease leaking from my fan?
Grease collects in the bottom of the housing and can escape through joints and drain points. Cleaning removes it, and we’ll point out any joints that need attention.
Do you need to turn the power off?
The fan has to be isolated while we work on it so it can’t start. We agree how that’s done with you before we start.
Do you give a fixed price before you start?
Yes. Send a few details and photos, or book a survey, and we’ll give you a fixed quote, usually within one working day.
Do you work out of hours?
Yes. We work evenings, overnight and at weekends so your kitchen or building doesn’t lose a day, and there’s a 24/7 line for emergencies.
Page updated 30 October 2026
Near you
We cover London and the South East. Find extract fan cleaning in your town:
- London
- Brighton
- Southampton
- Portsmouth
- Reading
- Oxford
- Milton Keynes
- Guildford
- Chelmsford
- Maidstone
- Woking
- Crawley
- Croydon
- St Albans
- Canterbury
- Basingstoke
- Slough
- High Wycombe