This case study focuses on a popular burger chain that was experiencing problems with very high levels of grease accumulation in their kitchen exhaust and poor quality cleans by kitchen exhaust cleaners wasting their money, leaving them with a fire risk and a non-compliant system.

 

This case study must note that Shepherd Filters capture up to 98% of the grease at the filter, and unless we can get the system clean, then our product is not the solution for pre-existing grease build-up. The client was keen to see the disposable kitchen filters work and have a solution, so Shepherd Filters worked with the customer as follows

 

SUMMARY OF PROBLEMS

• High grease build-up throughout the system – IMMEDIATE FIRE RISK
• Poor workmanship of current duct cleaner resulting in wasted money
• Grease accumulating in canopy and filters and tracks
• Found client was paying for a monthly service where the contractor was showing no proof of site attendance
• Entire system was becoming a huge potential fire risk

 

SOLUTIONS

• Shepherd Filters performed an initial inspection of the current state of the kitchen exhaust system
• Recommended the clean-up of system with a professional cleaner
• Recommended access was necessary to inspect and clean the whole system
• Installation of Shepherd Filters with training and monitoring over the first month to three months
• Third party inspection of the complete system after 12 months showing that Shepherd Filters was maintaining the system and only a very minor clean was recommended

 

CONCLUSION

A very happy customer who has now reduced their costs and risk of fire. With a true solution in place and a happy customer not wasting their money as previously. Shepherd Filters offer a true value-for-money solution.

 

THE PROBLEMS IN DETAIL

The client asked us to inspect their recent kitchen exhaust clean prior to the installation of Shepherd Filters Solution.  We found ONLY the canopy was being serviced for what looked like years.  We found the ducting and the fan both to be untouched.  This is very common for people not to inspect the work of cleaners and trusting the cleaner or the fake reports provided.

The current method of filter exchange fortnightly was not enough to keep up with the business’ level of cooking, only stopping around 20-40% of new grease.  This resulted in high levels of grease deposits passing through to the entire kitchen exhaust system including the fan, presenting a fire risk.

These photos above show a fire risk and depending on the wording on the certificate of works and all sorts of fine print the ultimate responsibility is on the restaurant owner.

This problem did not just happen since the last clean, this is years of neglect. You can see above how none of the ducting has been touched beyond what the customer can see.

Shepherd Filters noted areas where access could have been installed.  The client had never previously been informed of such by a duct cleaner. The ducting was showing high levels of grease accumulation, presenting a fire risk

Shepherd Filters recommended the client ask the duct cleaners to return before the invoice was paid, however, the duct cleaners refused to return, and the client had to find someone else.

We recommended before photos which match quotes of work being said is necessary, that a further before and after photo report be obtained to provide any further access required or missed areas reported in writing.  We also recommended they must provide a current certificate of insurance including the date, location, and ABN details.

 

THE CLEAN WAS NOT DONE CORRECTLY BY TWO CONTRACTORS IN THE FOLLOWING WEEKS

 

Shepherd Filters performed a post-clean inspection and found the job had not been completed:

We were able to alert the client before they paid the invoice, and they had the cleaner return. Finally, access was installed to allow the deep areas of the system to be cleaned.

THE SOLUTION IN DETAIL

The Shepherd Filters solution was recommended for the client to have peace of mind and avoid this ongoing problem, as well as to stop up to 98% of future grease from entering the kitchen exhaust system and protect the areas which had been cleaned. Now with the system cleaned, Shepherd Filters was installed, and staff trained in 10 minutes.

 

Various filters last anywhere from a day to a week to a month depending on the equipment such as grill, fryer or combi ovens beneath. Staff change filters in just minutes each day.

12 MONTH INSPECTION – GREAT RESULTS!

12 months later, the internal walls of the duct above the canopy and the ductwork leading back to the fan unit were showing minimal grease levels, under 2mm which meets Australian and New Zealand guidelines.

After 12 months when normally the system would need cleaning, the areas requiring cleaning was just the external canopy, internal canopy up to the subducting, a very light and easy clean.

 

PREVIOUS COSTS

• • • • • • • • • Canopy Cleaning = $4800 a year
                • Duct Cleans $1200 a year
                • Filter exchange $700+ a year (not frequent enough for their high grease levels)

YEARLY TOTAL= approximately $7000 a year

 

NEW METHOD COSTS

• • • • • • • • • Shepherd Filters (1100 filters) = approximately $4800 a year
                • Inspections and mini-cleans – $500-600 every 12 months
                • Sub-total of approximately $5400 a year

YEARLY SAVINGS = approximately $1500+ a year (and a cleaner system 365 days a year)