How to Remove Grease from Fan Motor: Simple Fixes for Commercial Kitchens

When grease buildup, a sticky, flammable residue from cooking fumes that accumulates inside exhaust systems clogs a fan motor, the electric component that spins the blades in kitchen ventilation systems, it doesn’t just make noise—it can shut down your entire kitchen. This isn’t just a cleanliness issue. In commercial settings like restaurants and hotels, grease on fan motors is a fire hazard, a code violation, and a silent killer of equipment lifespan. Most places don’t realize how fast this happens. In a busy kitchen, grease can coat the motor in weeks if you’re not cleaning it regularly.

Why does this happen? Every time you fry, grill, or boil, tiny oil particles rise into the air. The extractor fan, a ventilation system designed to pull smoke, steam, and grease-laden air out of commercial kitchens catches it. But if the grease filter is clogged or missing, or if the ductwork isn’t cleaned, that grease finds its way to the motor. Over time, it hardens. The motor works harder, overheats, and burns out faster. You’ll hear it—loud humming, rattling, or worse, silence when the fan stops. And when it fails, you’re not just losing ventilation. You’re risking shutdowns, health inspections, and expensive replacements.

Cleaning it isn’t rocket science, but it’s not something you skip. You need to turn off power, remove the fan housing, scrape off the thick layers with a plastic scraper (never metal—it damages the motor), and wipe down every surface with a degreaser made for commercial kitchens. Some people try water and soap. That’s a mistake. Water can seep into the motor windings and cause shorts. Use a food-safe, non-corrosive cleaner. And don’t just clean the motor—check the ducts, the filters, and the blower wheel. Grease doesn’t stay in one place. It travels. If you’re doing this yourself, wear gloves and eye protection. If you’re running a business, schedule monthly cleanings. Most health inspectors will flag grease-covered fans during routine checks.

What you’ll find below are real fixes from people who’ve been there. How to tell if your fan motor is beyond cleaning. Why some commercial units need professional servicing every 90 days. What happens when you ignore the smell of burnt grease. And how to pick a fan that resists buildup in the first place. No fluff. No theory. Just what works in a real kitchen under real pressure.