TarpGator Demonstration: Fastest Way to Clean a Kitchen Exhaust Hood

Ben Unger of Coastal Kitchen Exhaust Services demonstrates how to use the TarpGator, a tool designed to replace the use of duct tape in tarping restaurant kitchen exhaust hoods. Those in the commercial kitchen exhaust and hood cleaning industry will be excited to learn how to tarp an exhaust hood in less than 10 minutes. The TarpGator won the CETA PowerClean 2011 award for Most Innovative New Invention.

[@GregoryHuffjesusdiedforall]

I've been cleaning hood for 27 years in this is the funniest shit ive ever seen

[@TIREMAN5]

I was thinking the same thing, hell I cold clean the system before he got all that crap up .

[@DestroyAllorNothing]

Gregory Huff Can you recommend a brand name for the cleaner that you use?

[@riseabove3531]

Hey Greg. Nice to read we started in the same year. I started in 1989. Detroit metro area. Where you from?

[@riseabove3531]

DestroyAllorNothing Oven Brite by Zep. I used to use greasestrip by Ecolab but it was discontinued. Don't use straight 1 to 4 regular grease. 50/50 burnt on.

[@alvarez321]

@@riseabove3531 idk if you will read this because it’s been so long since you commented, but check out Oil Eaters, it’s non corrosive, non-toxic, etc, it’s a very safe chemical to use and works better than the Zep we use to use. We do work at Dow chemical and it’s one of the only ones they’ll let us use.

[@georgefolgers8731]

I have not done hood cleaning so I can not comment good not good . But Dude you did it,,, you were not lazy ,, you invented something and brought to market,, Did the research, did patent filing and research Did design. Made contacts to get it manufactured . So my hat is off to you. Congratulations. You are that much closer to making your next invention ,, As you now know the steps involved. Cheers to you, great accomplishment. Good for you, in the very end ,, dollars don't matter,, its the feel of self worth, and accomplishment. Once again great job.,

[@obadashqair5706]

very smart... in this case, he can work alone and nothing to worry about when he is on the roof. why not saving labor and working 30 minutes extra. Worth it

[@landonj16]

I was thinking the same thing. Just did a hood by my self and a clamp came loose. Luckily only a few gallons dripped on the floor before I caught it.

[@jeffjohnson8776]

Looks like a clever item that you came up with. So what if it doesn't work on all systems! You save a lot of time on the 90% of the hoods that it does work on.

[@ganaspsi]

Hi Ben, I met you in Phoenix at the convention. Finally ordering some tarp gators! John

[@CoastalKitchen]

Hello, Just to clarify for anyone reading this, galley hoods are the only type the TarpGator does not work on. And I use my water containment barrel to carry the set in and out of restaurants. Since I'm bringing the barrel in anyways, I don't haul around anything more than I did when I used to use tape. Ben

[@jessemorton1649]

How do I go about ordering a set to try out

[@carlossotelo3425]

I still like to use wooden shims ,clamps and some good old duct tape magnets work....unless u have a non-ferrous hood sooo tape and clamps are my best choice . . .

[@titusmaximus7278]

I'm with you on that Carlos. I can tarp in a hood in half this guys time. So where is the gain? I'm just not seeing it. I say tarpgator see you later.

[@mikeenglish2418]

Saves times and energy

[@thatoneguy592]

saves time? lol

[@CoastalKitchen]

Hello, Turning the TarpGator around so that the clamps slide into the gap between the wall and the hood solves this problem. The gaskets on the TarpGator provide an instant watertight seal. Ben

[@nickgehrig5018]

Oi man, that is a decent idea, nothing wrong with new ways to do hoods, I have learned a lot of neat tricks that really saved me in a bad jam, by stepping out of my own head. I think bro, that it is a great tool, but in a very busy company or schedule a guy might rather just tick n tape. I personally recommend Gorilla tape as it is very strong and also doesn't normally leave tape marks on hoods. I do like the idea and on certain jobs where clips are necessary inside the hood those would be awesome. I work with a guy that uses a lot of clips in his style of cleaning, this would really help him stretch his clips thinner on the giant jobs. I can definitely see how some guys can really find this useful. I have not been in the business for too long, but many cleaners have their own style and this tool would be fantastic for some guys out there. I'll let my bro know about this, he loves clipping onto the filter tracks and hand scrubbing the bottom afterwards for some reason. This would give him plenty of extra clips to use.

[@degreaseLLC]

Most hoods do not have a thin edge to clip onto. If you're lucky only the front side of the hood. All other sides will have a square edge at least four inches wide. All you need are magnets and clips.

[@aaaaaaaaaa97]

Thanks for reply, yea that's should work. I am curious how hard it would be to start a business in this field. The company I work for lacks safety standards and has poor methods for doing filters (in the kicthen's dishwasher after being sprayed with the cleaner and left to sit) and also not doing fans and ducts if they think they can get away with it. I am nervous to continue employment and have my name look bad because of their practices and lack of concern to safety for the technicians.

[@riseabove3531]

I've got 30 years cleaning hoods. I would of been done cleaning this hood by the time he was done hanging the plastic! I clean all hoods by hand. I have a bucket with steel wool, greenpads and about 15 heavy duty towels. A 3 inch and one inch scraper wet stone sharp. I use Zep Oven Brite and Tide powder soap. I have chimney sweep poles with hand sharpened scrapers attached to the end. I can remove 5 years of grease to the metal in one stroke! I have a triple braided good year black hose I attach to the customers water tank that I turn to 190 when I first arrive. I use green nitrile neoprene gloves. The only thing I tape with plastic is the bottom of the stacks. Spray Chemical on after scraping and hot hose. I'm the best hood cleaner in the WORLD! I will outperform any company! Period!

[@dfdfdgggjhjjh5081]

If I paypaled you some money do you think I could email with you and get some advice?

[@justinjohnson3428]

Doesn’t sound that efficient.. You must be doing very small systems.. I do 100 feet of hood a night and 6-7 fans with access panels no water wash with myself and 1 other guy in less then 4 hours Doing what you just said would take forever

[@darouge]

@@justinjohnson3428 yeah this guy said he’s the best in the world... but anyone with experience knows that it takes way more than that... and to be doing it all by hand is just making it hard for himself. He’s definitely just doing the hood... yet the fire risk is in the duct more than anything lol

[@mrsistyable]

30 years and still doing it by hand.. definitely not the best in the world buddy calm down of there...

[@repercush]

time on the job vs. ticket price. also...the more equipment the more space and time is utilized. this hood should've been bagged in 5 minutes.

[@CoastalKitchen]

Thank you for viewing the video. Yes there are many ways to secure plastic. But with the TarpGator system: 1. It takes less than 10 minutes to tarp a hood. No need to wrap plastic around broom handles while fumbling for clamps. No need to prep for taping. 2. The gasket system makes your seal waterproof. No leaks. Ever. 3. It does work on all hoods with the exception of some galley styles. Even gutterless hoods. 4. It's durable. The one-time investment will last your entire career. Ben Unger

[@Gezuzu23]

Hi is this still available to purchase please, i would really love one thank you.

[@PhilMahooters007]

Or u can just shim and clamp the plastic.

[@nickalmendarez2602]

Try using this on a peiwei or p.f changs

[@mansooralqahtani5419]

i use super strong magnetic and it does the job way way way faster

[@jamesblake5176]

Where can I buy these? Doesn't look like there's any e-commerce site selling them. Are you still in the prototype stage? Do you have a patent?

[@ed4958]

AutoMist from RTI does it all by itself, speaking from a lead tech himself

[@ed4958]

Automatic hood cleaner/maintainer

[@Gezuzu23]

Does he still selll this? i neeed it

[@pressurewashingandhoodcleaning]

yea but what you going to do if the hood doesnt have the lip like that?

[@george12112]

Where is your store located? can you post a video of you actually using it with water?

[@JDMBoii92]

I would've covered that hood in 5 mins lmao.... that takes too damn long

[@jamesanthony813]

it does seem to take longer.

[@sweetassussy7682]

Right..

[@shawnperry2562]

Would love to see a video!

[@f18superhornetcer78]

he does very professional.. 5 min.. very short !

[@Darknights1776]

Curious to up still selling these tarp gators? Where can I purchase

[@larrydingle77]

How do I get a set of those

[@aaaaaaaaaa97]

I would love to see a system for the pain in the ass gaps that occur on the part of the hood running along the backsplash. The front has always been the easy part for me, I just use duct tape and have never had it come down on me during use.

[@DanielMartinez-ir4pf]

I just use a simple towel for the Gap and shim or plastic putty knife

[@bigoger666]

Do you still make them?

[@726579]

nice idea but i still go the old way.this seems to take to long and then think about those super dirtyhoods youll spend more time cleaning all those bars and clamps...itll also make the take down of plastic harder.your gonna have to climb onto the grease filled plastic to get the ones in the back..also there is hood where you cant use this.the only way is to use a spatula and stick the plastic under.

[@charlieoj8166]

Francisco Hernandez exactly

[@DanielMartinez-ir4pf]

What's some of the best degreaser y'all use?

[@raechelblack2521]

Awesome

[@ramirogarcia3090]

How to know where to cut the plastic

[@michaelcollier6390]

still for sale?

[@sqwarebidnizz]

How can I purchase this product ?

[@JoulesElite]

wtf, so tell me how many hoods you see that have a clip area? maybe on a canopy double like that lol also alot of hoods are not even magnetic.

[@johngoddard7067]

You can almost always find a place to shim

[@clearadvantagecleaningsyst152]

Crafty design, but in many hoods the area you’re covering with the bars and the plastic may need to be cleaned. Good job though.

[@alvarez321]

Seem like a good idea. I can see this being useful on the sides maybe. But unnecessary on the front, those clamps open wide enough to clamp the plastic on the outside of the hood. I usually just fold the plastic and even if it doesn’t have the rubber tip is should be fine, I’ve yet to have the plastic rip on me. Just have to be conscientious enough not to be yanking on the plastic

[@degreaseLLC]

who needs to see the hood anyway? 😅

[@justinsligh3184]

I've only been doing hood cleaning for 3 years but my boss has been doing it for 20+ years. And we tuck the plastic and use clamps on the sides. I can hang a 20 foot hood in 5 minutes. This seems like way to much work and more stuff you gotta carry around. When u can just grab your plastic and clamp bucket an get to work

[@isaacfromohio3929]

How do I purchase

[@moon_cloudz7410]

I'm almost 9 years of exhaust maintenance..but it's not using like that..it's manual for the Philippines

[@KennethBrownComics]

If this is actually water tightas an executive chef I would rather have this guy in my kitchen leaving no extra water then some of these Hood cleaners that do a fast job but you find water everywhere

[@ThomasShue]

Spring clamps and 1x2 wood and a stapler would be so easy. Roll the plastic on the end of the 1x2 and staple it. The clamp it in place draping the plastic tarp over everything you want to protect.

[@mrsistyable]

Lmao no man..

[@ThomasShue]

@@mrsistyable yes.man!

[@mrpearl1]

You still need a sticker from a reputable hood cleaner... If a restaurant owner does it himself.. Even if done correctly, the insurance companies will bail on you in the event you have a hood fire... I guess it depends what state you are in?

[@linuxxxunil]

Have any of you earthlings seen a magnet? I have spoken.

[@yanishameesh7965]

jdm boy how will u do it with out leaks in 5 min prove it!

[@theknifeconnection9571]

For one nice concept but no matter what u cover kitchen equip just so u don't step on it or finger print it also its professional. Also there are deff hoods that won't work on that job done. I do the green brier hotel bud. U can park 3 school busses under one of their hoods if you shim n clip it right ur funnel will be fine I could have a good draped by the time u install a few of those tarp Gator bars on a hood. Only about half of the millions of hoods I've seen could use that maybe 70 percent but still not all.

[@sweetassussy7682]

Maybe if they were magnetized,it would be more simple.

[@phillipfeital7228]

the accessibility with all the plastic is horrible, youd probably rip trying to get a good angle

[@theknifeconnection9571]

Oh also UT gasket on the Gator is between the Gator and the plastic where's the seal between the plastic an the hood. Or its just so fuckin strong it don't leak I bet it Leake a little buddy

[@CoastalKitchen]

Hi there, I don't have a retail store, but you're welcome to visit my Redondo Beach shop where the TarpGators are made any time! And I will work on posting a video that includes water, great idea! If there are any other questions I can answer for you, please don't hesitate to call the number on the TarpGator website . Take care and happy cleaning! Ben

[@repercush]

reshoot this video with a worker and voice over

[@fredysanchez6770]

Mess grease on floor!!

[@jamesblake5176]

You use bleach on the hoods dude?

[@GregoryHuffjesusdiedforall]

lmao

[@nickalmendarez2602]

Looks like that took a shit load of time to put up not including the time spent getting the plastic unside them there gators.

[@cryptopirate8880]

U need small hardhat maybe?

[@HOMER122767]

Ive been cleaning hoods for 40 yrs. I can have the plastic up in 10 min without getting up on the equipment and without any tape and catch 90% of water in a trashcan.......makeing the job too compicated. Also, you clean the hood with bleach? Thats a epa nono

[@DestroyAllorNothing]

Charles Glisson what chemical do you use? Thanks

[@ab7145]

it takes me 5 min to wrap a system.... again there are many other things you can use... why buy this.... you just have to use your brain and be creative while wrapping a hood.....its just not worth it to me....

[@worthless4382]

Hell na this is a waste of time I rather shim and clip and go took him a whole 5 mins tho pretty fast

[@ab7145]

lmao you can use broomsticks,paint stirrers,etc for that too....and it doesnt work on all systems.... why would anyone with a brain pay for these....ha

[@Watson212]

I'd rather use 4 clamps and duct tape than those things. Waste of money

[@abdulkohiam1529]

Horrible design...ya gotta buy 20 of these and its actually longer than just using 3m pre taped film

[@yourfast07]

That's bullshit, waste of time, there is always some space between hood and wall, get tin contractor scraper some carton and for sides just use tape, works a lot faster with no bullshit

[@CoastalKitchen]

Thanks for the comment. However, with the TarpGators you are able to seal the hood from the inside. It is irrelevant how much space there is between the back of the hood and the wall. Ben