A grease trap plays a crucial role in kitchens. You must install a grease trap if you are running a commercial business. Keeping your grease trap working optimally is essential to avoid major issues with your system. Working with professionals offering grease trap cleaning services is also recommended for the best results.
Here are a few of the most common questions about grease traps.
What Exactly is a Grease Trap?
A grease trap collects fats, oils, and grease from kitchen drains. A restaurant grease trap can be located on the outside and underground, or it may be inside a sink. Grease traps can be made from numerous materials: concrete, plastic, stainless steel, or cast iron.
Why Should I Use a Grease Trap?
A kitchen grease trap is a necessity for restaurants. However, other establishments are also required to use grease traps, whether cafeterias, movie theaters, schools, or hospitals. Installing a grease trap helps prevent the amount of FOG from reaching water treatment facilities.
What Are FOGS? (Fats, Oils, Greases, and Solids)
Fats, oils, greases, and solids (FOGs) naturally occur during the cooking process. These products eventually reach the kitchen drain, as a grease trap helps prevent the FOGs from causing any clogs within the sewer system. Restaurants must clean and keep their grease trap maintained, or they risk paying significant fines.
Why is Grease Such a Problem?
Grease can cause many issues by clogging and blocking sewer collection lines. A blockage can also result in an overflow of wastewater that can damage property and contaminate any bodies of water. Typically, it’s recommended to schedule grease trap cleaning every two to three months to avoid any problems.
How Do Grease Traps Work?
A commercial grease trap is a holding tank that separates FOG in wastewater from dishwashers, sinks, and flood drains. A grease trap slows down the flow of wastewater while giving it enough time to cool, as the FOG will float near the top of the grease trap, making it easy to remove. The separated wastewater will sink to the bottom of the grease trap and eventually reach the municipal water supply.
What is the Best Way to Clean a Grease Trap?
There are two main methods for pumping or cleaning a grease trap. The most common method involves removing FOG to dispose of these items while putting the remaining gray water back into the grease trap. This method is known as the pump and return method and is often recommended.
Another method is known as dry pumping, which removes all of the content from a grease trap, including gray water and FOG. However, this isn’t the best way to clean a grease trap due to it temporarily causing the grease trap to be dry, as it can produce strong odors until water returns to the grease trap. Some cities even require a specific method for cleaning a grease trap, as it’s crucial to check out the regulations in your area.
Can I Clean a Restaurant Grease Trap On My Own?
Choosing to clean grease traps on your own isn’t recommended if you don’t have training. The best option is to use a professional grease trap service for cleaning and maintenance. These professionals can quickly dispose of the FOG material while ensuring you comply with local guidelines. Ultimately, using grease trap pumping services will save you a lot of time and hard work.
How Often Do I Need Grease Trap Cleaning Services?
A commercial grease trap needs to be cleaned regularly to avoid any issues. Busy restaurants will usually need grease trap cleaning services every three weeks, while less active establishments can go longer before needing to be cleaned. The size and the efficiency of your kitchen grease trap also play a role in how often you will need cleaning services. Either way, a grease trap needs to be pumped once it’s 25% full of FOG, as it won’t work properly once it reaches this limit, known as the one-quarter cleaning rule.
Closing Thoughts
Scheduling grease trap cleaning is essential for all restaurants. These professionals will handle restaurant grease trap cleaning while ensuring everything is working correctly. They will also inspect your concrete grease trap baffles to keep the grease separate.
Now is a great time to schedule grease trap pumping services for your restaurant.