Grease Traps and FOG Management
Grease Trap Perth (interceptors) separate fats, oils, and greases from wastewater as they move further, and dishwashing equipment is added to the sewer lines. This helps to prevent FOG blockages and sewage spills that impact people and wildlife.
However, the grease trap can only do its job if it’s regularly pumped and cleaned. This means a consistent schedule and proper staff training.
Fats, oils, and grease (FOG) are a leading cause of sewer blockages and overflows. They can also harm your septic system. Fortunately, proper FOG management can help you avoid these problems. A properly-sized and regularly cleaned grease trap is one of the most effective tools for managing FOG.
A grease trap is a receptacle that kitchen wastewater flows through before entering the sewer waste system. This receptacle, technically known as a grease interceptor, is designed to collect, hold, and filter out grease and other fatty substances from the wastewater. A grease trap can be installed on-site or at a dedicated location away from the kitchen.
The most important thing to remember about grease traps is that they require regular cleaning and pumping. If you don’t keep up with these tasks, your grease trap may overflow or become inefficient. There are many different types of grease traps available, so it’s crucial to choose a model that’s the right size for your establishment. A professional can help you select an appropriate model based on your kitchen size and volume of use.
Once a grease trap fills up with accumulated waste, it becomes more difficult to remove. This can lead to costly clogs and overflows in your pipes, as well as fines from inspectors.
Regular cleaning and pumping can prevent these problems by reducing the frequency of overflows. In addition, it’s crucial to have your trap professionally serviced to prevent damage to the tank and its components.
Besides helping you avoid costly clogs, overflows, and other issues, a properly-maintained grease trap can also reduce water pollution. This is because grease traps can limit the amount of FOG that enters sewer waste systems and ultimately, wastewater treatment plants. Inadequate FOG management can lead to raw sewage spilling onto city streets and sidewalks, into storm drains that flow into bodies of water, or into homes and businesses, where it causes health hazards. Regular FOG management can help you stay in compliance with local and environmental regulations, avoiding costly fines or even closure of your business.
How Do They Work?
A grease trap works as the drainage system for fats, oils and grease (FOG) in a restaurant, commercial kitchen, cafeteria, or any other facility that serves prepared food. Without one, greasy waste materials wash directly down the drain and into sewer lines where they can cause blockages that result in expensive repairs and shut-downs of your business and/or kitchen operations. If the clogs are serious enough, they may even lead to raw sewage flowing into the municipal sewer system where it can harm citizens and damage local water supplies.
A well-maintained FOG trap will catch the majority of grease waste, preventing it from entering the sewage system and septic tank. The trap is installed between the waste pipe from a commercial kitchen and either the septic tank or sewage line.
When the trap is full of grease, solids can begin to build up and clog the inlet or outlet pipe. To prevent this from happening, the trap needs to be emptied and cleaned on a regular basis.
Generally, the trap needs to be drained and cleaned every three months. However, the frequency of service depends on the volume of grease produced and the size of the trap. A reputable service provider will work with you to develop a schedule compliant with any applicable local regulations and requirements for your specific business.
If your establishment does not receive regular cleaning and maintenance services, the grease trap/grease interceptor will fill up and the inlet and outlet pipes will become clogged with solidified grease. This will reduce the trap’s capacity and effectiveness. It will also increase the cost and time of emptying/cleaning.
The best way to avoid this is by having your trap regularly drained and cleaned by a licensed grease removal company like DAR PRO Solutions. In addition to cleaning the grease trap/grease interceptor, they will inspect the unit for any damage or wear, and replace the gasket that seals the lid. In addition, they will provide ongoing education to your staff so they know how to properly use and handle grease and other food waste products. This includes teaching them to scrape plates into the trash before rinsing and to always use sink drain covers.
What Are They Made Of?
Grease traps are plumbing devices that separate the grease, oil and excess food stuffs from kitchen wastewater so it can safely enter the sewer system. Different types of grease traps work in slightly different ways, but the basic concept is the same: a receptacle that sits within a drain or waste pipe, intercepting and containing the grease before it can reach the sewer pipes. A functional grease trap is essential in any commercial kitchen. Without one, high levels of FOG could overwhelm sewage tanks and treatment plants, leading to costly overflows and untreated sewage being released into the environment.
The FOG in kitchen wastewater cools and solidifies as it passes through the trap, so the heavier oils and fats sink to the bottom while the lighter water floats to the top. The cleaner wastewater then exits the grease trap through a sanitary outlet and continues its journey to the sewage system or a wastewater treatment plant.
There are several types of grease traps available to businesses. The most popular is the traditional passive system, which has a small footprint and can be installed under most sinks. These systems can be built from a variety of materials, including concrete, steel and plastic. Because they are passive, they must be emptied and cleaned on a regular basis.
An alternative to the traditional grease trap is the active system, which uses heat and a series of baffles to skim FOG from the wastewater stream as it flows through the system. These systems are usually larger than passive traps and may be located inside or outside the building. The advantage of active systems is that they are self-cleaning and require no manual maintenance, but they can be more expensive than passive grease traps.
An automated version of the active grease trap is the AGRU (automatic grease removal unit). These systems re-heat and skim FOG on a programmed schedule, which eliminates the need for manual cleaning. However, because they are often more complex than other types of grease traps, they can be more expensive to purchase and install.
How Do They Get Clogged?
When a grease trap becomes clogged, kitchen operations are disrupted and sanitary conditions become compromised. Fortunately, it’s possible to prevent this from happening in the first place by being proactive about cleaning and maintenance.
Grease traps are a receptacle where kitchen wastewater flows before entering the main sewer waste line. This means that they are not only required by code but also serve a very important purpose in keeping foodservice operators and their customers safe and healthy.
However, like any other plumbing device, a grease trap can eventually become clogged, leading to problems that are both unpleasant and costly. While plumbers can certainly unclog your trap, it’s much easier to take a preventive approach that will keep your trap working properly for years to come.
The most common reason a grease trap gets clogged is that people pour used cooking oil and other food-related waste directly down the drain. While this practice may be convenient, it’s also a surefire way to open the door to slow drainage, clogs, overflows and foul odors.
In most cases, the first sign of a clogged grease trap is a foul odor that lingers in the kitchen and dining areas. This can be followed by a slow draining sink and possibly overflows from the inlet or outlet pipes.
The best way to avoid these issues is to have your grease trap cleaned regularly by a professional. During the inspection and pumping process, your service tech will check for any signs of damage or wear, and they’ll examine the percentage of FOGs in the trap. This allows them to optimize your service schedule and ensure your grease trap continues to work effectively.