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Where does the grease trap go in a commercial kitchen?

Author: Mirabella

Dec. 09, 2024

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Tags: Environment

Your grease trap is typically found either in a metal container underneath your sink, beneath a metal plate on your kitchen floor, or externally outside your establishment under one to three manhole covers. This essential device serves to capture grease and food debris that may enter the floor or sink drains within your commercial kitchen. Essentially, it lies in the pathway between your drains and the main sewer line. Generally speaking, the smaller grease traps located inside a restaurant can hold about 20-60 gallons.

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If you've confirmed that an indoor grease trap or grease interceptor isn’t present, it's time to search outside your restaurant for the grease trap. You should look for a cluster of manhole covers, which may be one, two, or even three in number. Outdoor grease traps tend to be significantly larger, usually holding a substantial amount of waste.

How can I identify which manhole lid is related to the grease trap?

The grease trap will generally be positioned between your kitchen and the sewer main. For example, if your kitchen is located at the back of the property and the sewer main is located behind it as well, the grease trap will likely be situated right behind the restaurant. Conversely, if the sewer main is located at the front of the building, then you might find the grease trap placed in the parking area, alongside, or perhaps even in front of the establishment. In the case of fast-food restaurants, grease traps are often positioned in the drive-thru lane.

The Complete Guide to Grease Traps for Your Commercial Kitchen

Cooking creates significant amounts of waste and dirt, particularly liquid waste. If not managed properly, the buildup of waste can cause severe and costly issues. Left unchecked, waste can even clog local sewer systems and create complications at nearby water treatment facilities. Therefore, allowing fats, oils, and grease (FOG) to enter the drains can have negative repercussions on the entire community.

While it is straightforward to manage FOG at home by storing it in a jar, larger businesses face greater challenges. This is where grease traps or grease interceptors, along with grease trap pumping in Charlotte, NC, come into play.

What is a Grease Trap?

A grease trap is essentially a plumbing mechanism designed to capture the FOG that enters the wastewater system. These devices collect the oils, fats, and grease to prevent them from entering public sewer systems or septic tanks.

There are primarily two types of grease traps: interior and exterior. The traps situated beneath kitchen sinks are smaller and can accommodate less FOG, while exterior traps are generally much larger and can hold hundreds of gallons. These devices are crucial for many food service establishments and are often associated with grease trap cleaning in Augusta, GA.

Due to their importance in averting costly sewer problems, many municipalities mandate that commercial kitchens utilize grease traps. They are available in various sizes based on expected waste production.

The air-intake valves in commercial grease traps, such as those used in cleaning services in Columbia, SC, help to prevent backpressure and keep the baffles positioned correctly. Typically, wastewater flows through the sewer system, while the fats and solids settle at the bottom of the tank.

What is The Purpose of a Grease Trap?

Food establishments like cafeterias and restaurants regularly produce significant quantities of food waste, including grease and oils. If this waste accumulates, it can lead to serious sewer issues, resulting in:

  • Unpleasant odors

  • Blocked sewer lines and drains

  • Reduced wastewater flow rates

To combat these potential problems, it’s vital that specialized equipment, namely grease traps or grease interceptors, be installed.

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Health inspectors frequently verify that large establishments have appropriate grease traps or interceptors in operation and examine their protocols for grease trap cleaning in Charlotte, NC.

The Different Types of Grease Traps

Hydromechanical Grease Traps: These traps are usually situated near the fixture or at the usage point. They utilize baffles and a vented flow control mechanism to extract grease from the waste stream, allowing it to solidify on the surface. Over time, the grease remains in the trap while the wastewater is pushed out.

Automatic Grease Removal Units (AGRU)

Depending on their size, AGRUs can either be installed at the fixture or be extensive enough to cover the entire restaurant, offering improved efficiency. These devices employ a skimming blade to extract grease, eliminating the need for grease trap pumping in Augusta, GA. As a result, nearly all the grease is effectively removed with their usage.

Gravity Grease Traps: Typically composed of sturdy materials like concrete, fiberglass, or steel, gravity traps are buried underground. These traps function similarly to passive hydromechanical traps but necessitate regular pumping by grease management companies. Their increased capacities make them suitable for operations with higher waste flows.

Why You Must Regularly Clean Your Grease Trap

Your grease trap can fill rapidly as it collects cooling oils and fats that solidify. This dynamic could lead to clogs in no time!

A blocked grease trap can lead to water overflow in your kitchen sink and additional plumbing complications.

Being especially busy during peak hours could mean you require grease trap cleaning in Greenville, SC sooner than anticipated. Here are indicators that indicate your grease trap is due for maintenance:

  • Slow sink drainage from gunk accumulation, which might escalate into more significant issues.

  • Foul odors stemming from fat and oil buildup.

  • Unusual noises such as gurgling or growling from your drains can signify a clogged waste system.

Conclusion

A commercial kitchen's grease traps can fill rapidly during operations. The cooling oils, fats, and greases solidify, and prompt action is required once the initial trap is near capacity. Failing to maintain hygiene could bring significant trouble, especially if an inspector pays a visit. Should you find yourself in need of assistance, don’t hesitate to reach out to professionals for grease trap cleaning in Greenville, SC as soon as possible!

GE Biofuel ensures that fats and food particles do not escape grease traps and obstruct the plumbing. The baffles are designed to retain solids since fat is lighter than water and will float on the surface. During our routine grease trap pumping in Charlotte, NC service, we will inspect your system for any issues and arrange for necessary maintenance.

We are proud to be the world's leading Commercial Kitchen Grease Interceptor supplier. We are your comprehensive solution for all grease trap needs, backed by our knowledgeable staff ready to assist you in finding the ideal product.

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