Fats, oils, and grease, also known as FOGs, can have a significant impact to wastewater and sewage lines in your city’s infrastructure. When businesses and homeowners pour FOGs into the drains, it can cause significant issues. A destructive result of FOGs in water systems is a “fatberg” which can block systems, disrupt water flow, and flood streets, homes, or businesses. Blockages can also cause significant damage to services and cost municipalities millions of dollars a year.
Keep your employees and business safe by cleaning grease traps and all kitchen equipment regularly. The added benefit of scheduled cleaning could result in decreased maintenance costs!
Following the specific guidelines for your area will ensure your restaurant or commercial kitchen avoids any health violations and potential closures.
What is a Grease Trap
It can be easy to forget there is a grease trap when the kitchen is running smoothly, especially when it is under the floor. But—whether you own a pub, fast casual, family restaurant, or franchise—if you are frying food like donuts, chicken, fries, or fish, you must have a grease trap installed near your dishwashing station.
The most common grease traps are underground or under the floor near the dishwashing station or room. Traps may also be above ground with a pump to ensure proper flow of liquids. Some traps are as small as 75 litres and others upwards of 5,000 litres depending on the restaurant and volume of deep frying.
As dishes, plates, cooking utensils, and pots are washed, the water, food, fats, oils, and grease drain down a special line. Solid foods are trapped by the strainer basket. Then, as the liquid flows through the pipes the FOGs are collected in a filter system known as a grease trap, grease interceptor, grease capsule, grease recovery device, or grease converter. FOGs remain inside the grease trap container, and the filtered water continues its journey to the septic system or municipal system.
Risk Mitigation for Grease Traps
The top three tips for grease trap mitigation are:
- Cleaning regularly
- Maintaining the device
- Keeping records for both cleaning and maintenance
Cleaning Grease Traps
The cleaning schedule for a restaurant depends on the use and the size of the tank. There are cleaning companies which will access your restaurant remove grease and completely clean the tank for you. This can be a great hands-off process as cleaning companies can be hired for ongoing service, so you never risk missing a clean.
Many smaller establishments often choose to clean the grease trap themselves. It’s a fairly simple process to scoop the solids out, pour degreaser inside, then clean, and rinse so it is ready for use again.
Maintaining the Grease Trap
Maintaining a grease trap includes:
- Testing the flow of water in the sink
- Regularly pouring degreaser down the drain to help breakdown debris
- Checking for leaks
Keeping Records
Schedule cleaning regularly and keep a log to help you track how quickly the grease trap fills up before it needs to be cleaned. A good history can help you forecast staffing needs and assist you with obtaining insurance coverage.
Property and Liability Risks
What happens if the grease trap overflows? Some of the risks include:
- Leaking grease on the floor of the kitchen
- It is extremely slippery and challenging to clean outside of its container creating a tripping hazard for kitchen workers.
- Extra grease could also contribute fuel to a kitchen fire.
- Plumbing connected to the grease trap fails due to a lack of maintenance, there could be a flood in the kitchen as wastewater is unable to flow out.
Small Changes, Lasting Impacts
Practicing sustainability benefits both your business and your community!
Be bear aware – Grease is an exceptionally tasty treat for bears. Do not leave any buckets of grease outside your business and ensure garbage dumpsters are locked.
Disposal – Fats, oils, and grease can be composted at special facilities, depending on location. FOGs can also be cleaned and converted into an animal feed ingredient, soap ingredient, or used in biodiesel production.
Water Pollution – When FOGs block sewage systems, it can lead to overflowing untreated water that pollutes the environment. Grease accumulation in ponds and other bodies of water can decrease oxygen in the water leading to dead zones where wildlife and plants cannot grow.
