Hood Not Draining Grease Properly

Grease drainage channels clog when hood cleaning intervals are stretched too long, allowing solidified grease to build up along the baffles, trough, and drain line. High-volume cooking — especially over open flame or char broilers — accelerates grease accumulation far faster than a standard cleaning schedule accounts for. Drain plugs left in place after cleaning, or improper slope in the drainage trough, also cause pooling. In older hoods, corroded or damaged troughs can trap grease even when the system is otherwise maintained.

Pooling or dripping grease is a direct fire hazard — it brings ignitable material into contact with high-heat cooking equipment and surfaces. A grease fire originating from an unmaintained hood can shut down your kitchen for days or longer and void your insurance coverage if inspectors determine the system was overdue for service. LA County health and fire inspectors treat visible grease overflow as a citable violation that can trigger a required re-inspection or temporary closure.