Grease traps are commercial instruments that stop excess fat and grease from running into sewers and clogging up the pipes. However, they can also lead to hygiene issues in restaurant kitchens if they’re not properly cared for. The following are some grease trap cleaning and maintenance methods to help to avoid any problems.

4 Tips for Grease Traps Maintenance

1. Recycle Cooking Oil

The first step to grease trap maintenance is to minimize potential clogging agents from going down the drain. One way to do this is to recycle used cooking oil as much as possible. This action reduces the burden on the system and saves on cost. When you do need to throw it away, you can put it in a container and toss it in the trash after it has cooled.

2. Get All Employees on Board

Make sure all employees practice grease trap maintenance to keep your traps in good condition. Employees should be trained on the correct procedures, and there should be signs asking them not to dump grease or food particles into drains. Remind them to wipe all cooking implements before washing them and to use a catch basket for solids.

3. Follow a Regular Cleaning Schedule 

Grease trap cleaning should be done regularly, not only when traps seem to be getting clogged. Most local authorities set minimum cleaning requirements to around 60 to 90 days, but if you’re noticing clogs more often than you should schedule a cleaning even sooner. Keep a record of when traps were cleaned to stay on schedule.

4. Avoid DIY Cleanings With Enzymes or Hot Water

Although it might be tempting to try to do grease trap cleaning yourself, many DIY methods can be damaging to the machine or to the septic system overall. Don’t use enzymes to liquefy or break up the grease in traps, because the grease will then mix with the water and flow into sewers. This method may be against local laws, as it can affect municipal water supplies. The grease mixture can solidify later in the sewage systems and cause the same problems that the grease traps were intended to prevent in the first place.

 

Hometown Sewer Service in Warrensburg, NY, has been serving the area since 1949, offering services from grease trap cleaning to septic tank maintenance. The family-owned business has a knowledgeable and reliable staff to serve commercial and residential properties, and the company is fully insured and licensed by the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation. To inquire, call (518) 623-2453 or visit their website.