Does the grease in your commercial kitchen seem to multiply overnight? You scrub and wipe, but that sticky, stubborn buildup just won’t budge. Keeping a kitchen spotless is tough work, but greasy equipment and surfaces create more than just an eyesore; they become fire hazards and breeding grounds for bacteria. Choosing the wrong cleaner makes this battle even harder, wasting time and money.
The right commercial degreaser is your secret weapon against kitchen grime. But how do you pick one that cuts through heavy cooking oils without damaging your expensive stainless steel or harming your staff? It’s confusing! This post cuts through the marketing noise. We will break down exactly what you need to look for in a powerful, safe, and efficient commercial kitchen degreaser.
By the time you finish reading, you will know the top types of degreasers available and which one fits your specific cleaning needs perfectly. Get ready to conquer grease for good and keep your kitchen sparkling clean and safe!
Top Degreaser For Commercial Kitchen Recommendations
- A versatile all-purpose degreaser cleaner that effectively tackles countertops, appliances, cabinets, painted doors, and trim, delivering a robust cleaning solution for a wide range of cleaning tasks.
- Effortlessly cuts through grease, grime, and dirt. Heavy-duty, professional-grade formula perfect for tackling stubborn dirt on walls, bathrooms, kitchens, floors, and various home surfaces.
- Perfect for tile, stainless steel, porcelain, fiberglass, and painted surfaces, this versatile cleaner guarantees a flawless, polished appearance on diverse surfaces, leaving them clean and shining.
- Pro Tip: When cleaning trim and baseboards around your home, first go over them with a vacuum brush or stiff broom to remove top layer of dust, then spray the all-purpose cleaner.
- Concentrated Cleaner: Light soils: Dilute 3 fl. oz. per 32 oz. of water; Medium soils; Dilute 6 fl. oz. per 32 oz. of water; Tough soils: Use full strength.
- Cuts tough grease 2X faster (vs the leading professional degreaser)
- Cleans your commercial kitchen with 50% less scrubbing (vs the leading professional degreaser)
- Can be used on food-contact surfaces when followed by rinsing with water
- Great for tough buildup on surfaces, like greasy surfaces, stainless steel, range hoods, ovens, walls, drive-thru pads and parking lots
- DISSOLVES GREASE AND GRIME: Cut through that though grease and grime in just seconds. This Stanley Home Products Degreaser Concentrate will supply you with lots of solution to suit all of your cleaning needs.
- POWERFUL FORMULA: Tackle your stubborn messes – in both hard and soft water – and make them disappear. Twice as concentrated as the original, this concentrated formula works hard everywhere there is a build-up of grease.
- MULTI-PURPOSE USE: Use this All-Purpose Cleaner to remove dirt, grease and grime from cookware, grills, dishes, woodwork, countertops, broilers, laundry, equipment and tools.
- GALLONS OF CLEANING POWER: Very cost-effective, one 32 oz. bottle contains enough cleaning product for 64 gallons of powerful, Stanley Degreaser solution.
- SIZE OPTIONS: The Stanley Home Products Degreaser Concentrate is sold in a 1- or 2-count package for added convenience. Ideal for home and professional use, it will accommodate everyone’s needs.
- ELIMINATES 99.9% OF KITCHEN VIRUSES AND BACTERIA INCLUDNG SALMONELLA AND E.COLI: Lysol Pro Kitchen Cleaner is tested and proven to eliminate 99.9% of viruses and bacteria* (when used as directed). EPA Reg #777-91.
- CUTS THROUGH TOUGH, BAKED ON GREASE: Easily penetrates grease and grime to clean even the toughest kitchen messes, leaving nothing but a fresh citrus scent.
- NO HARSH CHEMICAL RESIDUE: Ideal for counter tops, tables, oven exteriors, highchairs, and kitchen exterior appliances* (when used as directed, rinse food contact surfaces with potable water).
- EASY TO USE KITCHEN SPRAY: Spray on your greasy stains and kitchen messes and wipe away to reveal fresh smelling and sparkling clean kitchen surfaces and exterior appliances.
- LEADERS IN DISINFECTION: Looking for some of our other great disinfectant products? Try our Lysol Disinfecting Wipes, Lysol Disinfectant Sprays and Lysol All Purpose Cleaners.
- Powerful Cleaning Formula: Our MA5x Heavy Duty Degreaser Refill is specially formulated to effectively remove tough grease, oil, and grime from a wide range of surfaces. Whether you're cleaning appliances, grills, stovetops, concrete, tools, engines, fiberglass, aluminum, stainless steel, or kitchen surfaces, our degreaser is up to the task
- Versatile Application: Not only is our MA5x Heavy Duty Degreaser Refill great for cleaning, but it can also be used for a variety of other purposes. It can be used as a pre-wash cleaner, degreaser for boats, and even as a brake cleaner. Its versatility makes it a must-have for any homeowner or professional looking for a powerful and versatile cleaning solution
- Easy to Use: Our MA5x Heavy Duty Degreaser Refill is designed to be easy to use. Simply pour or spray it onto the desired surface, wait to stand for 2-6 minutes, and use a brush, sponge, or cloth to scrub away the grease and grime. Rinse off with water
- Long-Lasting Performance: Our MA5x Heavy Duty Degreaser is designed to provide long-lasting performance. It contains corrosion inhibitors, which help protect your surfaces from rust and corrosion
- Trusted Brand: We pride ourselves on providing high-quality products that our customers can trust. Our MA5x Heavy Duty Degreaser Refill is no exception. It's backed by a 100% satisfaction guarantee, so you can purchase with confidence knowing that you're getting a product that will meet your expectations
- Kitchen Degreaser is a specialty cleaner for the toughest grease in the kitchen.
- Specifically formulated to penetrate and remove tough grease grime quickly!
- Use only on hard, non-porous surfaces and rinse thoroughly with water.
- Should not be used on aluminum surfaces.
- Can be used to clean: back splash, cooktop, stove top, kitchen counters cabinets, oven, sink, and microwave. Available in lemon scent.
- DISSOLVES GREASE AND GRIME: Cut through that though grease and grime in just seconds. This Stanley Home Products Original Degreaser does the tough cleaning for you.
- POWERFUL FORMULA: Tackle your stubborn messes – in both hard and soft water – and make them disappear. This powerful formula works hard everywhere there is a build-up of grease.
- MULTI-PURPOSE USE: Use this All-Purpose Cleaner to remove dirt, grease and grime from cookware, grills, dishes, woodwork, countertops, broilers, laundry, equipment and tools.
- GALLONS OF CLEANING POWER: Very cost-effective, one 32 oz. bottle contains enough cleaning product for 32 gallons of powerful, Stanley Degreaser solution.
- SIZE OPTIONS: The Stanley Home Products Original Degreaser is sold in a 1-, 2- or 4-count package for added convenience. Ideal for home and professional use, it will accommodate everyone’s needs.
The Ultimate Buying Guide for Commercial Kitchen Degreasers
Keeping a commercial kitchen spotless is serious business. Grease buildup isn’t just messy; it’s a fire hazard and a health risk. Choosing the right degreaser makes this tough job much easier. This guide helps you pick the best cleaner for your busy kitchen.
Key Features to Look For
When shopping for a heavy-duty degreaser, focus on performance and safety.
- Fast-Acting Formula: Look for degreasers that start working quickly. You don’t want to leave strong chemicals sitting for hours during peak service times.
- Concentration Level: Highly concentrated formulas save money. You mix a small amount with water to create a lot of cleaning solution. Check the dilution ratio.
- Foaming Action: Some degreasers foam up. Foam clings to vertical surfaces like exhaust hoods and walls, giving the cleaner more time to break down tough grease.
- Rinse-Free Options: If speed is critical, a no-rinse formula can save time, though deep cleaning often requires a final rinse.
Important Materials and Ingredients
The ingredients determine how well the degreaser works and how safe it is.
Most effective commercial degreasers use surfactants. Surfactants are the cleaning agents that lift grease away from surfaces. Look for:
- Alkaline-Based Cleaners: These are the strongest. They work very well on baked-on, old grease. Sodium hydroxide (lye) is a common, powerful alkaline ingredient. Handle these with extreme care.
- Solvent-Based Cleaners: These use chemicals that dissolve grease. They are excellent for machinery or very thick, oily spills but often have strong fumes.
- Plant-Derived/Enzymatic Cleaners: These are gentler and better for daily use or in kitchens focused on “green” cleaning. They use natural enzymes to “eat” the grease over time. They work slower than alkaline options.
Factors That Improve or Reduce Quality
The quality of a degreaser directly impacts your cleaning time and staff safety.
Factors That Improve Quality:
- High pH Level (for Alkaline): A higher pH means the product is stronger at saponifying (turning grease into soap) and dissolving fats.
- Biodegradability: High-quality cleaners break down safely, which is better for your plumbing and the environment.
- Odor Control: A pleasant or neutral scent improves the user experience significantly compared to harsh chemical smells.
Factors That Reduce Quality:
- Excessive Foaming (if not needed): Too much foam can make rinsing difficult and leave a slippery residue.
- Corrosiveness: If a cleaner is too strong, it can damage stainless steel or aluminum surfaces over time. Always check the label for material compatibility.
- Short Shelf Life: Weakening formulas mean you waste money on unused product.
User Experience and Use Cases
How you use the degreaser matters as much as what you buy. Different areas need different types of cleaners.
Heavy-Duty Use Cases (Deep Cleaning):
Use strong alkaline degreasers on deep fryers, hood filters, and the inside of ovens. These areas accumulate baked-on carbon and heavy oil. You often apply these, let them dwell (sit), and then scrub or pressure wash them off.
Light-Duty Use Cases (Daily Maintenance):
For countertops, stovetops, and stainless steel prep areas, use a milder, ready-to-use spray. These maintain cleanliness between deep scrubs and usually require simple wiping.
Staff Safety:
Good user experience means staff feel safe using the product. Always ensure staff wear appropriate Personal Protective Equipment (PPE)—gloves, eye protection, and sometimes masks—especially when using concentrated or highly alkaline products. Easy-to-read instructions improve compliance.
10 Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) About Commercial Kitchen Degreasers
Q: What is the difference between a cleaner and a degreaser?
A: A cleaner lifts light dirt and soil. A degreaser specifically targets oils, fats, and grease. Degreasers are chemically stronger for these tough kitchen soils.
Q: Are all commercial degreasers safe for aluminum?
A: No. Highly alkaline degreasers can often pit or discolor aluminum. Always check the product label to ensure it explicitly states it is safe for aluminum surfaces.
Q: How often should I deep clean my exhaust hood filters?
A: This depends on how busy your kitchen is. Most busy restaurants deep clean filters every two to four weeks using a powerful soaking degreaser.
Q: Can I use a floor degreaser on my stainless steel prep tables?
A: Generally, no. Floor degreasers are formulated for porous surfaces or heavy traffic areas. Using them on food-contact surfaces might leave residue or require excessive rinsing.
Q: What does “dwell time” mean?
A: Dwell time is the period you let the chemical sit on the surface before scrubbing or rinsing. Adequate dwell time allows the degreaser to fully penetrate and break down the hardened grease.
Q: Are enzyme degreasers effective for fast cleaning?
A: Enzyme degreasers work slowly by digesting the grease. They are excellent for drains or overnight treatment but are usually not fast enough for immediate, heavy-duty cleaning during a service shift.
Q: What PPE do I need when mixing concentrated degreaser?
A: You must wear chemical-resistant gloves, safety goggles to protect your eyes, and sometimes a face shield. Always wear long sleeves.
Q: Will a strong degreaser clog my drains?
A: If used correctly and rinsed thoroughly, no. However, if large amounts of undissolved grease are washed down with a weak cleaner, it can cause clogs. Strong degreasers actually help dissolve grease already in the pipes.
Q: How can I tell if a degreaser is concentrated?
A: The packaging will show a high dilution ratio, like 1:10 or 1:30, meaning one part cleaner makes ten or thirty parts solution. A ready-to-use product will have a 1:1 ratio.
Q: Should I use hot water or cold water when mixing my degreaser?
A: Almost always use hot water. Hot water significantly boosts the cleaning power of most chemical degreasers, helping them dissolve grease much faster.