Problems
What's going wrong in your kitchen?
Every symptom has a cause — and a right service to fix it. Browse common back-of-house problems, understand why they happen, and see what Boh dispatches to resolve them.
Fire Suppression System Went Off
If your Ansul or wet chemical suppression system discharged, you are required to have both the suppression system and hood cleaned and re-certified before resuming operations.
Grease Fire in the Duct or Hood
A grease fire in your exhaust duct is a serious safety event. The kitchen must be inspected and the duct system professionally cleaned before you can reopen.
Walk-In Cooler Not Holding Temperature
A walk-in that can't maintain 41°F or below is a food safety emergency. Common causes include a failing compressor, refrigerant leak, or damaged door gaskets.
Walk-In Freezer Not Freezing
A freezer that isn't hitting 0°F puts your entire frozen inventory at risk. This is typically a compressor, refrigerant, or evaporator coil issue.
AC Not Cooling the Kitchen or Dining Room
A commercial HVAC system that isn't maintaining set temperatures may have a refrigerant leak, dirty coils, or a failing compressor.
Cited for Grease Buildup at Health Inspection
LA County health inspectors cite restaurants for visible grease accumulation on hood surfaces, filters, and ducts. This requires documented professional cleaning to clear.
Cited for Temperature Violation at Health Inspection
An LA County temperature violation means food was found above 41°F in cold storage. Your refrigeration equipment must be repaired and documented before a re-inspection.
Fire Suppression Nozzles Clogged or Missing
Clogged or damaged nozzles on your Ansul or wet chemical system mean the system may not activate properly in a fire. This requires immediate inspection.
FOG Violation From the City or Sanitation District
A fats, oils, and grease (FOG) violation from LA County sanitation means your grease trap is not being maintained at the required frequency. Documented cleaning is required to clear the citation.
Hood Not Draining Grease Properly
Grease pooling in the hood or dripping onto equipment means your hood's drainage channels are blocked — a sign the system is overdue for cleaning.
Hood Not Pulling Air / Weak Suction
A hood that isn't drawing smoke and fumes away from the line is a ventilation and compliance issue. Grease-blocked filters or ducts are the most common cause.
Kitchen Drain Backing Up
Slow or completely blocked kitchen drains are often caused by a full or failing grease trap. In LA County, a backed-up drain that reaches the floor is a health code violation.
Kitchen Filling With Smoke During Service
Smoke backing up into the kitchen during cooking usually means your exhaust hood is no longer pulling air effectively — often due to grease buildup blocking airflow.
Kitchen Overheating During Service
An excessively hot kitchen during peak service hours can point to an undersized or failing HVAC system, or a hood exhaust system that isn't balancing make-up air properly.
Sewage Smell in Kitchen or Dining Room
A persistent sewage or sulfur smell is often a sign that your grease trap is full and gases are escaping back into the building through the drain lines.
Fire Suppression System Needs Re-Certification
NFPA 96 and LA County Fire Code require commercial kitchen suppression systems to be inspected and certified every 6 months. An expired certification is a fire permit violation.
Hood Cleaning Tag Expired or Missing
LA County and NFPA 96 require a dated service tag on every hood after each cleaning. A missing or expired tag is a compliance violation and can trigger a re-inspection.
Hood Fan Making Noise or Vibrating
Rattling, banging, or vibrating from your exhaust hood fan often points to a worn belt, failing motor bearing, or debris caught in the fan assembly.
Hot Spots or Uneven Temperature in Dining Room
Uneven cooling in the dining room usually means your HVAC system's airflow is out of balance — often caused by blocked vents, a failing damper, or ductwork issues.
HVAC Making Loud or Unusual Noise
Banging, squealing, or grinding from your HVAC unit typically means a loose component, worn belt, or failing compressor — all of which worsen quickly if left unaddressed.
Strange Smell Coming From the Hood
Burning, rancid, or chemical smells from the exhaust hood usually mean accumulated grease is overheating, or that mold and bacteria have built up inside the duct system.
Not sure what's causing the problem?
Describe what you're seeing and Boh will route the right technician — same day.