Starter kit: what the first paid job needs
Kitchen hood cleaning is hot water, degreaser and containment, done at night on a roof and inside a hood. The kit is a hot water washer, a way to catch the runoff and the tools to reach the fan and the duct.
| Item | Why you need it | Price on the maker's site |
|---|---|---|
| Hot water pressure washer | Cutting grease in hoods and ducts | Varies by brand |
| Gas pressure washer as a backup or for rooftops | Keeping the job moving if one fails | $1,500 (STIHL RB 600 gas pressure washer, STIHL) |
| Plastic sheeting, tape and hood wrap | Containment that keeps the kitchen clean | Varies by brand |
| Grease containment funnels and buckets | Catching runoff from the hood | Varies by brand |
| Scrapers and brushes | Heavy buildup before washing | Varies by brand |
| Degreaser sprayer | Applying chemical evenly | Varies by brand |
| Multi-position ladder | Hoods, ducts and roof access | $535 (Little Giant Revolution 2.0, Model 17, Little Giant) |
| Headlamps and work lights | Night work inside dark ducts | Varies by brand |
| Gloves, boots, goggles and rain gear | Hot water and caustic chemicals | Varies by brand |
Pro kit: what a busy shop adds
Add these when the calendar is full and the starter kit is slowing you down. Most hood cleaners buy them one at a time, when a job pays for one.
| Item | Why it pays | Price on the maker's site |
|---|---|---|
| Trailer or truck rig with water tank and hose reels | Faster setup, larger kitchens | Varies by brand |
| Fan hinge kits | Safer fan access for future cleanings | Varies by brand |
| Access panel tools | Reaching duct sections between hood and fan | Varies by brand |
| Camera for before and after photos | Service reports the fire marshal accepts | Varies by brand |
| Wastewater recovery setup | Handling grease water the right way | Varies by brand |
Van stock: what you restock every week
Parts and supplies that let you finish on the first visit. Keep a short list on your phone and restock on the same day each week.
- Degreaser concentrate. Every job uses it.
- Plastic sheeting and duct tape. Containment on each hood.
- Service stickers and report forms. Proof of cleaning on the hood.
- Spare hoses, fittings and wands. A burst hose stops the job.
- Absorbent pads and rags. Spill cleanup.
- Replacement hood filters in common sizes. Swapping damaged filters.
What a hood cleaning kit costs
The 2 starter kit items we could price add up to $2,035 at the maker's listed price, out of 9 on the list. The rest vary too much by brand and size to give one honest number, so price them with your supplier.
None of the 5 pro kit items has one maker's list price we could check, because brands and sizes vary so much. Price them with your supplier.
The hot water washer and the trailer rig swing the total most. Many hood cleaners start with smaller restaurants and a basic rig, then add a full trailer when the route grows.
Prices are the ones shown on each maker's own site on the date in the sources. Dealers and sales change them, so treat them as a starting point.
Where to buy it
Most hood cleaners buy hand tools and small parts wherever is closest, and set up a trade account for the items they buy every week. Our hood cleaning suppliers list names the distributors and pro programs for this trade, and the Home Depot Pro vs Lowe's Pro page compares the two big-box programs row by row.
With Koira: the office side of the kit
The kit gets you to the job. Koira runs the rest: estimates with signing and deposits, invoices and card payments and your day plan, all on the free Office plan. Start with the hood cleaning services list to set your prices.
Sources
- STIHL: STIHL RB 600 gas pressure washer, checked October 9, 2026
- Little Giant: Little Giant Revolution 2.0, Model 17, checked October 9, 2026
- Insureon: Insurance cost for contractors as a group, checked October 9, 2026
Last checked October 9, 2026. This page is general information, not legal or tax advice. Rules change and differ by state and city, so confirm with the agency named before you act.