Concrete Cleaning ^ Food Grease Removal

Concrete Cleaning ^ Food Grease Removal

Food grease removal from concrete is an exceptionally tough challenge.  If you have ever walked into the back of a restaurant kitchen or even on the sidewalks at the back of the building, you have realized that cooking grease and oils are slimy, smelly and attract all sorts of pests and rodents. The film between the floor and your shoes is similar to a greasy ice rink, creating prime circumstances for a slip and fall situation.

Food grease removal from concrete Pressure washing Nashville restaurant

The main source of cooking oil in The U.S for deep frying foods is a natural animal fat such as Lard or Shortening.  Other common oils used in restaurant applications are Canola, Peanut, Vegetable, Coconut, Olive and Cottonseed. These oils are believed by many to be on the healthier side of the spectrum.  Natural animal fats, when liquefied and deposited on floors, walls or any other porous surfaces, soak in and leave a heavy residue behind.  This residue is like a magnet to any other particulates like dirt, food scraps and other garbage.  Removing this residue is not for the faint of heart.  For complete removal, it takes specialty chemicals, extremely hot water, high pressure and and a keen knowledge of how chemistry breaks down the oils on a molecular level.

When mops and over-the-counter cleaning agents just don’t cut it, a thorough cleaning from a professional pressure washing contractor may be in order.  The results of a high quality pressure cleaning will be miles ahead of the capabilities of most kitchen staff.  Also there are many areas outside of the restaurant where grease trails and puddles are found.  Have you ever tried to walk with full pail of water? It’s nearly impossible to not spill any.  The same goes for oil containers being carried to the disposal site at the back of a restaurant.

Take a look at our standard process for high pressure floor cleaning and food grease removal from concrete in an indoor setting (e.g.  kitchen and dining floors)

  • Sweep thoroughly to remove any loose debris
  • Apply the proper chemicals that break down the grease and oil. (check local regulations regarding use of harsh chemicals inside of restaurant kitchens)
  • Brush aggressively with a stiff bristle brush
  • Using a surface cleaner with vacuum attachment, power wash all floors with hot water. The vacuum suction actually pulls more contaminants out of the floor while removing the dirty water and discharging into an approved drain.

This video shows the interior vacuum surface cleaner in action.

Food grease removal from concrete outdoors is a similar process, however stronger cleaning agents and more powerful equipment is used. This process is typically used at rear entry doors to the kitchen area, sidewalks where deliveries are made, paths leading to dumpster areas, around grease traps and dumpster areas themselves.

This video shows our larger vacuum surface cleaner against greasy concrete

 

There are several chemicals on the market that claim to remove grease and oil buildup.  It is not advisable to put 100% trust in these, as most of them are a variation of the same raw chemical product, either Sodium Hydroxide or Potassium Hydroxide.  Some of the surfactant packages added to these ready to use chemicals can actually make matters worse because they will stick to the grease and create an environment with even less traction than grease alone.  Also the surfactants can soak into the pores of the tile or concrete allowing any particulates to stick to them.

Food grease removal from concrete pressure washing Nashville

As a restaurant manager, employee or owner, ask yourself how beneficial it would be to have the floors, inside and out cleaned on a regular basis.  First of all, think of all the other duties your kitchen staff could complete by taking this off their list.  Second, the results could be 100% better by introducing a cleaning professional into the equation. Third, you, as the person in charge, can rest easy knowing that the chances of injury, property damage and health department scores are far more in your favor than before.  
If you are curious about the proper way your Nashville restaurant kitchen should look and perform, check out this helpful link to Nashville Health Departments website.  

 

For more information on food grease removal from concrete, give us a call at 615-999-0104 or visit our website at www.ProWashNashville.com