In a busy restaurant kitchen, there’s no room for unexpected downtime. The best way to extend the life of your equipment — and avoid costly disruptions — is through consistent, proactive cleaning and maintenance.

Every piece of kitchen equipment has its own unique maintenance requirements. To help your team stay organized, we’ve created an easy-to-follow checklist that outlines daily, weekly, and monthly cleaning and maintenance tasks.

Note: These are general recommendations based on years of service experience with various equipment manufacturers. For the most accurate guidance, always refer to your equipment’s OEM manual.

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Daily Cleaning & Maintenance Tasks

• Grills & Flat-Tops: Scrape off food debris and wipe down with a damp cloth to remove grease and residue.
• Fryers: Filter and store oil properly. Clean baskets and wipe exterior surfaces to prevent buildup.
• Stovetops: Clean burners, knobs, and surfaces with a mild degreaser to remove spills and stains.
• Ovens: Remove food debris, wipe interior surfaces, and clean the glass doors with oven-safe cleaner.
• Steamers: Drain water and wipe the interior to prevent mineral deposits.
• Microwaves: Clean inside and out with a damp cloth to remove splatters and maintain hygiene.
• Slicers: Disassemble, wash with warm soapy water, sanitize, and reassemble. Always wear cut-resistant gloves.
• Food Processors: Disassemble and wash each component with warm, soapy water. Sanitize and air dry before reassembling.
• Prep Tables: Wipe surfaces with a food-safe sanitizer to prevent cross-contamination.
• Utensils & Cutting Boards: Wash in hot, soapy water and sanitize to ensure food safety.

Weekly Cleaning & Maintenance Tasks

• Reach-in Refrigerators: Empty contents, clean shelves with mild detergent, and check door seals for mold.
• Walk-in Refrigerators: Organize inventory, dispose of expired items, and wipe down all surfaces.
• Freezers: Defrost if necessary, then clean with a vinegar-water mix to eliminate frost and odors.
• Dishwasher: Remove and clean filters, sanitize interior, and run a cleaning cycle with commercial-grade detergent.
• Hoods & Vents: Clean vent filters and degrease hoods to ensure proper airflow and reduce fire risk.
• Mixers: Detach attachments, clean with warm, soapy water, sanitize, dry, and lubricate moving parts as needed.
• Countertops: While cleaned daily, a deep weekly clean with a degreaser and sanitizer is recommended.
• Sinks: Scrub basins and disinfect drains using a commercial drain cleaner.
• Ice Machines: Empty, sanitize the ice bin, and clean internal parts following the manufacturer’s guidelines.

Monthly Cleaning & Maintenance Tasks

• Deep Fryers: Drain used oil, clean the fryer interior thoroughly, and refill with fresh oil to maintain food quality and equipment health.
• Grills: Remove and soak grates in soapy water, then scrub and degrease all surfaces.
• Ovens: Perform a deep interior clean, check and replace filters if necessary, and inspect components.
• Steamers: Descale and deep clean the steaming compartment as per manufacturer instructions.
• Refrigerator Coils: Vacuum accumulated dust from coils to maintain efficiency and proper cooling.
• Walk-in Refrigerators & Freezers: Deep clean floors and walls, addressing any spills or residue.
• Dishwashers: Sanitize interior, inspect for mineral buildup, and clean heating elements or spray arms as needed.
• Slicers: Inspect for wear and lubricate moving parts according to manufacturer specs.
• Floor Drains: Clean surrounding areas, then use enzyme cleaner to prevent clogs and unpleasant odors.

Following this comprehensive kitchen cleaning and maintenance checklist can help ensure smoother operations and reduce the risk of equipment failure. To go a step further, consider enrolling in a preventative maintenance program for added protection and peace of mind.

And when something does go wrong, Smart Care is here to help. With over 1,400 trained technicians available nationwide — 24/7/365 — we’re just a service call away.