Maintenance
Baffle vs Mesh Grease Filters: What You Need to Know
Understanding the difference between baffle and mesh grease filters, and why the right choice matters for fire safety and compliance.
Bright Hygiene • 2 min read
Two Types of Grease Filter
Extract canopies within a commercial kitchen hold a bank of grease filters to catch airborne grease before it enters the ductwork. There are two main types of grease filters, mesh filters and baffle filters. Understanding the difference between these models is important for both maintenance and fire safety.
Whereas mesh filters use layers of fine metal mesh to trap grease as air passes through, baffle filters use a interlocking series of metal blades that redirect airflow, causing the grease to separate and drain into a collection trough.
Why Baffle Filters Are Recommended
Current industry guidance and TR19 Grease recommend baffle filters over mesh for commercial kitchens as they act as a flame barrier, preventing flames from entering the ductwork if a fire is ignited from the cooking equipment below.
Mesh filters do not provide this flame arrest capability as flames can pass through mesh filters into the ductwork beyond, significantly increasing the risk of fire spread. If you have mesh filters within he filter bank of your extract canopy, you may wish to consider upgrading these to baffle filters as a priority.
Maintenance Requirements
Both filter types need regular and effective cleaning to remain efficient. Saturated filters can restrict airflow, reduce extraction performance, and allow more grease to build-up within the ductwork.
Filters should be cleaned regularly, and more frequently in high carbon-producing kitchens. Whereas baffle filters may be partially cleaned in a commercial dishwasher or soaked in a degreasing solution, mesh filters are more fragile and can degrade if cleaned with strong chemical products.
When to Replace Your Filters
Filters should be replaced when they are physically damaged — bent, warped, or with broken mesh or vanes. Mesh filters can also become so heavily soiled that cleaning can no longer restore them to an effective condition.
With regular, effective cleaning, good-quality baffle filters will last for several years, however, mesh filters tend to deteriorate faster. A filter exchange service, like the one Bright offers, ensures you always have clean, functional filters in place without the hassle of cleaning them yourself.
