Unless you run a commercial kitchen, you may be unfamiliar with grease traps. Our Windermere grease trap specialists answer your frequently asked questions about this crucial piece of equipment.
When you think of a commercial kitchen, you likely think of a bustling cacophony of plates, voices, and sizzling food. Cooks yelling orders, waiters rushing to serve guests, and dishes being washed for the next table.
You may not think about how to keep cooking grease and food particles from clogging your drains. Without a grease trap, however, that’s exactly what will happen. If you think you need a grease trap or you’re just curious about how they work, you’ve come to the right place. At Acme Environmental Services, our Windermere grease trap team answers your top questions.
What Is A Grease Trap?
A grease trap is a container used in restaurants or other commercial kitchen facilities that produce oils, fats, and grease. These materials, referred to as FOG (fats, oils, grease), can clog your drainage system if they run directly into it. A grease trap does just that – it traps the grease and keeps it from draining into your pipes.
A grease trap must be emptied from time to time so that it doesn’t overflow or backup into your pipes. That’s where Acme comes in. Our team of Windermere grease trap technicians can pump out your grease trap to ensure your kitchen keeps running smoothly.
How Often Should A Grease Trap Be Cleaned?
We recommend that you have your grease trap cleaned every three months. Neglecting regular maintenance can result in the overflowing of FOG and clogs in your drains.
Fortunately, maintaining your Windermere grease trap is simple. At Acme, we can put your business on a regular cleaning schedule to ensure that your kitchen runs at maximum efficiency. Many cities have regulations about how often you need to have your grease trap cleaned, so be sure to check with your local authorities when making your schedule.
What Is Proper Grease Trap Maintenance?
Aside from scheduling regular maintenance appointments with our team at Acme, you can be proactive in other ways to keep your business up and running:
- Make sure your grease trap is properly sized to fit your capacity. If your grease trap is too large, you may neglect getting it cleaned out often enough (since it takes longer to fill up). If your grease trap is too small, it could overflow or you could have to have it cleaned out so often that your maintenance costs can eat into your budget.
- Educate your employees on proper food disposal. All food particles should be put into the trash. Wiping down plates before they get to the sink will help too. Keeping the majority of FOG out of your waste system will keep your grease trap from filling up too quickly.
- Check to make sure that your food prep and wash sinks are tied into a grease trap.
- Keep a maintenance log on your property for compliance purposes.
Do You Need A License to Clean A Grease Trap?
It might seem like a simple task to clean your grease trap, but be aware that you need a special license to haul and dispose of FOG. Your licensed hauler must have a decal from the Department of Environmental Resource Management (DERM) and dispose of FOG in an approved location. Not using a licensed hauler can result in the issuance of a ticket or other penalty enforced by DERM.
If you have more questions about grease trap maintenance, contact Acme Environmental Services. Our team of Windermere grease trap technicians can help keep your grease trap cleaned regularly and keep your kitchen humming.