Remove grease without cleaning product: ozone water on greasy surfaces

Grease as an organic compound: the chemical basis

Grease consists of glycerol and fatty acids. Fatty acids are long carbon chains from which dissolved ozone extracts electrons via the oxidation mechanism. That electron extraction breaks the chemical bonds in the carbon chain and splits the fat molecule into smaller water-soluble compounds. After the oxidation reaction the ozone itself decomposes to oxygen and water without leaving active substances on the surface. More on the working principle: ozonewater.

Fresh versus baked-on grease film: how thickness determines the result

Fresh thin grease film after cooking reacts quickly to ozone treatment. The ozone water makes direct contact with the thin layer of fat molecules and the oxidation reaction proceeds completely with limited contact time. Thicker grease that has built up over multiple cooking sessions requires longer contact time. Baked-on grease polymerised by repeated heating reacts more slowly because the structure of the fat molecules has changed. For baked-on grease mechanical preparation is indicated: loosening the top layer with a plastic scraper or soft abrasive followed by ozone treatment of the freed underlying layer. More on kitchen degreasing: biological degreasing kitchen.

The two-cloth method for grease removal

The two-cloth method is the practical working procedure for grease removal without cleaning product. A first cloth lightly moistened with freshly produced ozone water is moved across the greasy surface. Contact time determines the depth of the oxidation reaction on the fat molecules present. After treatment with the first cloth a second dry cloth dries the surface and removes the oxidised fat components and loosened residues. The method is applicable to kitchen worktops, extractor hoods, tiles and all other solid surfaces with grease contamination. Full working procedure: two-cloth method.

Material suitability per greasy surface

Stainless steel worktops, worksurfaces and appliance surfaces are most suitable for grease removal with ozone water. The oxidation reaction proceeds effectively on stainless steel without damaging the material. Ceramic worktops, glazed tiles and hard plastic are also well suited. For composite and laminate regular use is applicable. Porous materials such as untreated wood or unglazed stone require longer contact time and possibly multiple treatments as grease residues can penetrate deeper into the material. More on the ozone water machine: ozone water machine.

Grease type and reaction rate

Vegetable oils with high content of unsaturated fatty acids such as olive oil and sunflower oil react faster to ozone oxidation than animal fat with higher content of saturated fatty acids such as lard and butter fat. Unsaturated fatty acids have double bonds in the carbon chain that are particularly reactive to ozone molecules. Saturated fatty acids without double bonds require higher ozone concentration or longer contact time for an equally effective oxidation reaction. In the kitchen this distinction is relevant when determining contact time per application: a tablespoon of vegetable oil on the worktop is treated faster with ozone water than the same amount of butter fat in the same location.

Daily routine versus occasional intensive treatment

The frequency of the cleaning routine with ozone water influences the result with grease removal more than with other cleaning tasks. Fresh grease film directly after cooking reacts quickly and completely to ozone oxidation. Grease residues that have accumulated and dried over multiple cooking sessions react more slowly and require more treatment cycles. A daily treatment of the cooking zone after use gives a cleaner end result over the week than weekly intensive treatment of accumulated grease residues. That daily routine does not need to be intensive: two to five minutes treatment of worktop, hob and splash-back after each meal preparation is typically sufficient for regular grease load.

Extractor hood: targeted approach per component

The extractor hood accumulates the highest grease concentration of all kitchen surfaces. For filter plates submerging in ozone water is the most effective method: contact time is in that case longer than with a cloth treatment. For the housing and underside of the extractor hood the two-cloth method is the appropriate procedure. The grease concentration on the extractor hood is typically higher than on surrounding walls requiring longer contact time or multiple treatments for a comparable cleaning result. More on grease removal: remove grease without cleaning product.

Comparison with surfactant-based degreasers

Surfactant-based degreasers emulsify grease by surfactants that surround the fat molecules making them water-soluble. After rinsing the emulsified fat molecules and surfactants are carried away with water. Ozone water chemically breaks down fat molecules via oxidation. The difference in end result is the presence or absence of active substances on the surface after cleaning: surfactant-based degreasers leave surfactants that need to be rinsed away; ozone water leaves no active substances after the oxidation reaction. For surfaces taken directly back into use after cleaning that is a practically relevant distinction. More on biological cleaning: biological cleaning product alternative. Cleaning without chemicals: cleaning without chemicals.

Rinsing after grease removal with ozone water

A practical advantage of grease removal with ozone water is that rinsing with regular use is not needed. After the oxidation reaction ozone water leaves no active chemical substances on the surface. On kitchen worktops used directly after cleaning for food preparation the absence of cleaning residues is a relevant aspect. Conventional degreasers contain active surfactants or alkaline substances that remain on the surface after use and with some applications need to be rinsed away. With ozone water that extra step is eliminated.

Grease on surfaces outside the kitchen

Grease removal without cleaning product is not limited to the kitchen. In workshops, garages and hobby spaces greasy surfaces occur on workbenches, equipment and floor surfaces. On solid dense surfaces in those environments ozone water via the two-cloth method is applicable for organic grease contamination. On absorbed greases in porous workbenches of untreated wood effectiveness is more limited. On metal surfaces such as steel and aluminium in those environments the oxidation reaction proceeds effectively with regular use.

Combination of mechanical cleaning and ozone water

With thick or baked-on grease layers the combination of mechanical cleaning and ozone water is the most effective approach. The mechanical step removes the top grease layer and makes the underlying layers accessible to the oxidation reaction of the ozone water. A plastic scraper, soft brush or cloth with light mechanical pressure are suitable tools for the mechanical preparation. After the mechanical step ozone water gives a more effective treatment of the remaining grease layer than ozone water alone on a thick baked-on grease layer. That combined approach is more efficient in both time and the ozone water required for the end result. More on alternatives to cleaning products: alternative to cleaning product.

Grease removal and material compatibility

Ozone water is material-compatible for grease removal on most common kitchen materials with regular use. Stainless steel ceramic and glazed tiles are not damaged with regular use of ozone water. Aluminium and other metals are also suitable. For composite or laminate worktops regular use is applicable with light moistening of the cloth. Natural stone and marble require caution: the slightly acidic pH of ozone water can damage the polished layer of sensitive natural stone with prolonged or intensive contact. Biological cleaning: biological cleaning with ozone water.

Ozone water and the cooking environment: practical tips

For effective grease removal without cleaning product in the cooking environment some practical considerations are relevant. Ensure ozone water is freshly produced immediately before use: ozone concentration falls quickly after production and fresh ozone water gives the most effective oxidation reaction on grease residues. Use a cloth that is sufficiently moist to make contact with the greasy surface but not so wet that the ozone water flows away: a too-wet cloth extends drying time and reduces ozone concentration in the contact area.

Frequency plan for the kitchen

A practical frequency plan for grease removal without cleaning product in the kitchen: daily treatment of worktop hob and splash-back directly after cooking; weekly treatment of the exterior of oven microwave and fridge; monthly treatment of the extractor hood including filter plates. That layered approach keeps grease load on all kitchen surfaces at a low level and makes the periodic more intensive treatment of the extractor hood less labour-intensive because grease residues have had less chance to build up and bake on.

Costs and affordability

Grease removal without cleaning product with ozone water reduces consumption of conventional degreasers for the applications where ozone water is suitable. Savings are greatest with daily frequent grease load on solid dense surfaces. Questions? get in touch. Overview: knowledge guide.

Testimonials

💬 "The splash-back area and worktop around our hob we now maintain daily with ozone water. Fresh grease residues are easy and quick to treat and we no longer need a degreaser for that daily maintenance." — Ozone water installation user

Further reading

Full overview: ozone water knowledge guide. Biological degreasing kitchen: biological degreasing kitchen. Biological cleaning with ozone water: biological cleaning with ozone water. Alternative to cleaning product: alternative to cleaning product.