Comparing Hood Filters – Metal or Disposable? You Decide!

Cleaning Method

Obviously, there are huge differences between metal and disposable hood filters as far as maintenance is concerned. At a minimum, commercial kitchens must check their hood filter every month to see if they require cleaning. If they do, businesses can either engage a filter exchange company or clean them in-house. The first option can be costly and disruptive and the latter is time-consuming, labour-intensive and messy. The key advantage of disposable hood filters is that they are quick and easy to change in-house with minimal fuss, allowing staff to get back to what they do best.

Additional Cleaning in Peak Periods

If a business has been busier than usual, hood filters will most likely require extra cleaning. If done in-house, staff will have to make extra time within their daily routine or if using a filter exchange service, an additional exchange will need to be booked in. Shepherd Filters change colour as they go, giving staff clear visual clues as to when it’s time to change – a task that only takes minutes a day.

Environmental Impact

Whether you engage a filter exchange service or clean metal hood filters in-house, there is no way of avoiding the use of potentially harsh chemicals and copious amounts of water. This not only costs you money but is environmentally unfriendly. Shepherd Filters are made from pure bio-degradable wool. Not only is wool a sustainable resource, but also 100% bio-degradable and therefore environmentally-friendly. Once a Shepherd Filter has reached the end of its life, it can be discarded in your regular waste bin as it will break down in landfill.

Cost Per Filter

Metal hood filters require a higher investment upfront. If cleaned in-house, business owners must factor in water usage, chemicals and the cost of labour. If using a filter exchange service, costs are calculated per filter and usually attract an additional site fee. Shepherd Filters will cost you less and come in packs of 50 with free shipping, so if you decide to invest in disposable hood filters then consider buying in bulk, which often comes at a more advantageous price per product.

Change Frequency

Two main factors will determine your change frequency:

Trading Hours – Are you a café with limited trading hours or a 24/7 operation? Have things have been quiet? If so, then filter exchange or in-house cleaning will be less frequent or if you’ve been busy exchange or in-house cleaning rates will increase. Even a change in the menu can affect your filters needs. In the case of filter exchange, your contracted schedule would need to be constantly monitored and modified to suit the ever-changing situation.

Equipment – Hood filters service different equipment, therefore, some filters will need more frequent exchange/cleaning than others (i.e. those above a grill will need more attention than those servicing a fryer or combi oven).

If using Shepherd Filters, your filter change frequency will automatically regulate itself and as they take less than 60 seconds each to replace, they will not greatly affect your staff in terms of disruption or extra duties.