Manchester is well-known for its buzzing nightlife, diverse eateries, and trendy bars. The city boasts a vibrant hospitality sector with approximately 1,000 restaurants and pubs that contribute to the city’s dynamic culinary and nightlife scenes, offering a wide range of dining and entertainment options for residents and visitors.

But behind every successful kitchen or cocktail bar, there’s a little-known hero keeping things running smoothly: extraction systems. These essential pieces of equipment do a lot more than people realise—they work hard to keep the air clean, the environment safe, and the experience pleasant for customers and staff.

Keeping Kitchens Comfortable

Think about the frantic pace of a busy restaurant in Manchester’s Northern Quarter on a Saturday night. The chefs are cooking up a feast, steam rises from pots and pans, and dishes are coming out non-stop. Without an efficient extraction system, that restaurant would quickly become a smoky, uncomfortable environment, with cooking fumes and odours lingering in the air. Proper extraction is what keeps the place breathable, ensuring fresh air circulates and the kitchen remains a comfortable workspace.

Ever noticed how some cocktail bars—like those dotted around Spinningfields or Deansgate—have an open concept, with bartenders mixing and shaking right in front of you? Those bars also rely on extraction systems to keep the atmosphere enjoyable, whether it’s removing unwanted heat from cocktail-making equipment or simply keeping the air fresh and comfortable as patrons fill up the space during happy hours.

Health, Safety, and Cleanliness

This equipment also plays a huge role in meeting health and safety standards. Manchester’s food scene is aggressive, and having near-perfect hygiene standards is crucial to staying open. A good extraction system removes grease, steam, and other particles that would otherwise cling to surfaces, making it easier to maintain cleanliness. By keeping airborne contaminants at bay, these devices ensure that the only thing diners notice is the delicious smell of freshly prepared food—not a whiff of anything burnt or overly greasy.

So, next time you’re enjoying a delicious dinner in a favourite spot, or sipping a perfectly mixed cocktail at a buzzing bar, spare a thought for the hard-working extraction systems quietly ensuring the air is fresh, the temperatures are comfortable, and the environment stays top-notch. These behind-the-scenes heroes are a vital part of what makes Manchester’s food and drink venues some of the best around.

Moreover, if you’re a business owner in Manchester, considering an upgrade or investing in a proper extraction system might just be what keeps your establishment ahead of the curve—making your space more inviting and safe for your team and guests.

Types of Extraction Systems for Restaurants, Bars, and Pubs

In the competitive hospitality market, there is no one-size-fits-all solution that addresses every possible issue across all sectors. This is why Auto Extract Systems, a company specialised in keeping workplaces free from harmful or unwanted airborne contaminants, provides tailored solutions for each of their clients. Some of their most popular devices used in bars, restaurants, and pubs all over Manchester are:

• Canopy Hoods: Often seen in commercial kitchens, canopy hoods are designed to capture and vent out the steam, smoke, and odours generated during cooking. These hoods are usually positioned above cooking equipment such as stoves and grills.
• Food Extraction Arms: These extraction arms are versatile and perfect for targeting specific sources of fumes or airborne particles. These contaminants can include flour, sugar, spices, and other fine particles that pose health risks to workers and can compromise product quality. Typically constructed from stainless steel to meet stringent hygiene standards, these arms are equipped with food-grade hoses and hoods. They are often designed to be corrosion-resistant and may include features like quick-release mechanisms for easy cleaning and maintenance.
• Electrostatic Filters: Often used in kitchens that deal with a high volume of grease, these machines help filter out grease and smoke particles from the air, ensuring the kitchen remains clean and that the extracted air meets environmental standards before being expelled outside.
• Portable Extraction Units: Ideal for pop-up venues or smaller kitchens, portable extraction units offer flexibility and can provide additional extraction power where permanent systems may not be sufficient or feasible. They are easy to move and highly adaptable to changing needs.

The essence of any successful hospitality venue goes beyond the quality of its food and drinks. It lies in the unseen commitment to creating an environment where people feel relaxed and well taken care of. Investing in the right solutions–extraction systems included–is the best way to foster an atmosphere where staff can excel and guests genuinely feel at home.

We’re very proud to bring you this feature in association with Auto Extract Systems. For more features, please pay a visit to our lifestyle page.