The grease trap isn’t the most glamorous part of a commercial kitchen. Often hidden beneath the sinks or outside underground, it stays out of sight and doesn’t draw much attention. Despite this low profile, the grease trap is one of the most important parts of your business – and when improperly maintained, it can cause major headaches. In the dark about grease traps? SeQuential explains their function and benefits so you can make the most of this hardworking kitchen component.
Stop the FOG
Throughout the normal operation of a kitchen, there will be plenty of substances poured down the drain of a sink. Most likely, not all of it is safe and healthy to join the shared drainage system for the community, which is where the drain leads. In order to catch these rogue substances before they hit the main sewage line, a grease trap is needed to collect them. Among these substances, some of the most important to keep out of pipes are fats, oils, and grease, known as FOG.
If FOG is allowed to enter the sewer system, large quantities can collect and grow, creating “fatbergs” underneath cities that cause major plumbing problems. If everyone’s grease traps are working, though, the FOG can be collected in time and avoid this menace from growing underneath the streets.
Help Out the Environment
FOG is not only dangerous because of the damage it can cause to pipes and sewage systems. It can also harm the environment if allowed to enter waterways. FOG that is not collected by grease traps can be released into rivers and streams, contaminating them and making it dangerous to drink the water. It can also create a hazard for animals living in these environments. Without grease traps, this FOG would continue unimpeded into water catchment areas, and we would lose the ability to convert it into another use, helping the environment. Just as important, if it’s proven that your business is improperly handling FOG, you could face steep fines from local, state, and federal agencies.
Proper Maintenance Tips
For your grease trap to do its job, you should follow best practices to ensure proper function. Some of these tips include:
- Scrape off extra food on plates: Before you use the sink to wash dishes, make sure any large chunks of food are scraped away to limit the amount of waste the grease trap has to collect.
- Recycle your cooking oil: Pouring used cooking oil down the drain is one of the biggest factors that can lead to damage in your pipes. Instead, have your used cooking oil recycled so it can be turned into sustainable biofuel.
- Clear out the trap: The common threshold for emptying your grease trap is when it is one-fourth of the way full. Once FOG builds up past this mark, the trap’s effectiveness is greatly reduced. Make sure to monitor how quickly your trap fills up so you know when to have it emptied.
Maximize Grease Trap Benefits
A functional grease trap is an essential part of any kitchen. If you need help maintaining your grease trap, SeQuential offers effortless grease trap cleaning services to prevent blockages, fumes, and more. Contact us today to learn more or schedule your first grease trap cleaning.