Grease traps are an essential component of every commercial kitchen. They decrease the risk of sewer blockages and separate greases and solids before reaching wastewater systems. However, just because it’s necessary to have a grease trap in your commercial kitchen doesn’t mean you have to break the bank to keep it regularly emptied and maintained. In addition to partnering with an affordable partner like Food Grease Trappers, check out our money-saving cleaning tips for your grease trap to achieve even more savings.
1. Don’t Dump Grease into the Trap
While it’s the purpose of a grease trap to collect grease, it’s best to refrain from pouring grease down the drain – which can cause clogging – or directly into the trap. Instead, use a separate metal container for grease storage. This will prevent the trap from reaching maximum capacity too quickly, and a cleaning professional will be able to collect the grease from these containers during their regularly scheduled service. Furthermore, you can make some money if you choose to store and recycle waste vegetable oil (WVO).
2. Eliminate Solids at the Source
While grease traps are designed to handle all fats, oils, grease, and solids (FOGS), you should work to minimize the amounts of solids, as this component of FOGS can contribute to fatbergs. Create systems in the kitchen to allow your workers to easily dispose of solid waste. Educating your team on ways to decrease the buildup of solids in the grease trap – such as wiping down plated before cleaning or discouraging the use of garbage disposal – can preserve your water system and prevent the trap from reaching capacity quicker.
3. Conduct Regular Cleanings
While it may not seem likely at first glance, scheduling routine cleanings will save you money in the long run. Even if your restaurant doesn’t produce a lot of grease, you should at least maintain minimum standards of cleaning frequency. FOGS in your tank can turn rancid if left for too long, releasing sulfuric acid that can corrode the tank’s walls. If ignored, it could require a complete – and very expensive – trap replacement. It’s best to abide by the one-quarter rule when emptying your trap.
These money-saving cleaning tips for your grease trap will not only protect your wallet but also safeguard the welfare and longevity of your business. With these tips, you’ll have a sustainable and lucrative commercial kitchen. At Food Grease Trappers, we’ll be able to determine a schedule to service your grease trap that will result in maximum trap performance and the most savings for you, and we can even train your staff in best practices. We also have our own WVO program with competitive offers. If you would like to schedule a consultation, contact us today.
