How Long Does Kitchen Extract Cleaning Take, and Do I Have to Close?
Realistic timings by kitchen type, and how the work is fitted around trading hours.
Most Swansea kitchens do not close for an extract clean at all. The work is booked into the hours the kitchen is cold, and for a single-canopy system that is a morning. Here is what to expect.
Typical timings
| Kitchen | Typical time on site | Usual slot |
|---|---|---|
| Café or small takeaway, one canopy, short duct | 2–4 hours | Before opening |
| Chip shop or busy takeaway, one range, longer duct | 3–5 hours | Closed morning |
| Restaurant or pub, one or two canopies | 4–8 hours | Closed day, or between lunch and dinner for smaller systems |
| Hotel, care home or school production kitchen | A night, or a day in a holiday | Overnight; school holidays |
| Multi-outlet holiday park or stadium | 1–3 days across outlets | Off-season or non-event days |
What takes the time
Not the canopy — that is the quick part. The time goes into the ductwork: opening or fitting access hatches, cleaning each section to bare metal, and the fan at the end of the run. A first clean on a neglected system takes longest; a system on a regular schedule gets quicker every visit.
Can the kitchen be used straight after?
Yes. There is no curing time. The canopy, filters and surrounding surfaces are left clean and dry, and the kitchen can be in service as soon as the provider has packed up. Ask for the time-off-site before you book and plan the prep around it.
Working around you
Out-of-hours is the norm for this trade. Early mornings, closed days and overnight for hotels are all standard, and seasonal businesses on Gower and the seafront usually take the full clean in the off-season with a lighter check before summer. We arrange the quote around your hours, not the other way round — request a free quote and say when your kitchen is cold.
Related: What it costs · Why access hatches matter · Hotels
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I have to close my restaurant for extract cleaning?
Almost never. Work is booked for a closed day, between services, or overnight, and a single-canopy kitchen is done in a morning.
Can we cook straight after the clean?
Yes. There is no drying or curing time; the kitchen is usable as soon as the provider has finished.
Why did the first clean take so long?
Because the grease had years to build and the duct probably needed access hatches fitting. Once on a schedule, each visit is shorter.
Get a Free Swansea Kitchen Extract Cleaning Quote
Send us your kitchen details and we'll arrange a tailored, no-obligation quote — usually the same day.