what are grease traps used for

Benefits of having a Grease Trap in Your Home

• 1. Environmentally friendly Grease traps help keep the environment clean by reducing pollution. When you cook without a grease trap the fats, oils, and grease (FOG) flow into local streams and rivers. FOG can become toxic over time. A grease trap intercepts the FOG before it reaches your sewage system. ...
• 2. Economically Beneficial

Full Answer

What are grease traps and how do they work?

What Are Grease Traps And How Do They Work? A grease trap is a device that helps to separate grease, oil and large matter from the liquid waste that enters pipes and plumbing systems. Grease traps are used in a wide variety of contexts, including in some household kitchen sinks and hospitality venues. Grease traps are especially important for ...

What is a grease trap and how does it work?

Grease traps work on the basis that animal fats and vegetable oils (grease) are 10 to 15 percent less dense than water and that grease won’t mix with water. Thus, fats and oils float on top of water. When wastewater enters a grease trap, the flow rate is reduced enough so the wastewater is given enough time to cool and separate into 3 layers.

What do you need to know about grease traps?

• Every restaurant serving any type of greasy food or baked goodies (baked on premises) needs a grease trap.
• A coffee shop serving espresso also needs a grease trap. ...
• A yogurt shop is typically not required to use a grease trap since yogurt is always served in disposable cups and mostly fat free. ...

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Why do we need grease traps?

why do i need a grease trap? Grease traps are required for every foodservice facility in order to prevent clogs, slow running drains, and blockages in sewer systems. As FOG (Fat, Oil, Grease) will coagulate when cooled, it will build up in the sewer lines.

What are the purpose of grease traps?

The purpose of a grease trap is to collect and therefore reduce the amount of fats, oils and greases (FOG's) that enter the main sewers. Grease entering the main sewer system will over time create blockages, foul odours and pest infestation.

Are grease traps necessary?

Grease and water don't mix, especially when they travel through the sewer lines. It is for this reason that grease traps are essential in commercial kitchens. Food service industry wastewater filled with grease, oils and fats flows from the kitchen sinks and travels through pipes to enter the treatment plant.

What are grease traps and how do they work?

Whether automatic or manual, grease traps work by trapping the FOG that rise to the top from wastewater before it enters the drains. When wastewater enters a grease trap, it slows the water flow down significantly, separating it into solids on the bottom layer, wastewater in the middle, and FOG on the top.

What happens to the grease in a grease trap?

Waste from passive grease traps and gravity interceptors is called brown grease. Brown grease is rotted food solids in combination with fats, oils, and grease (FOG). Brown grease is pumped from the traps and interceptors by grease pumping trucks.

How often do you empty a grease trap?

every 1-3 monthsCreating a Schedule Most grease traps should be cleaned out every 1-3 months, depending on usage. To know exactly how often your business needs to attend to the grease traps, consider the “1/4th rule.” In simple terms, the grease trap should be cleaned out when it reaches a quarter of its capacity.

Should a grease trap be full of water?

Your grease trap should never be completely full with water. That can lead to an overflow which could lead to contaminants getting into your local municipality's sewer system.

Do grease traps smell?

As grease traps receive waste that goes down the kitchen sink, they can sometimes generate foul odors. Although its sometimes hard to determine whether it's the grease trap that's smelling, the smells from the grease trap are quite distinctive from septic odors as they contain decomposing food particles and grease.

What do grease traps smell like?

As the bacteria eat, that sulfur converts into hydrogen sulfide, the rotten egg odor we instantly recognize with septic conditions. The hydrogen sulfide the bacteria create isn't a solid or a liquid. It begins as a gas dissolved in the water inside the grease interceptor.

Should grease traps smell?

Foul Odors A properly functioning grease trap should not let foul odors into the air nearby. If you can smell your grease trap, then chances are something is wrong. A grease trap puts out a foul odor either due to mechanical issues or insufficient cleaning.

How do you know if your grease trap is full?

If your grease trap becomes excessively full, grease will begin spilling out of the primary compartment into the secondary one. This will soon lead to clogs in the lines leading into and out of the grease trap. A full trap will also restrict the flow of water through the system.

What happens if grease trap not cleaned?

If your business does not do regular grease trap cleaning, it will lead to a rotten smell in the kitchen and dining area and could eventually lead to more serious issues like a clog or an overflow.

How often should a kitchen grease trap be cleaned?

A good rule of thumb is that your grease trap should be cleaned out once it is a quarter full of grease and solids, as this is when it can stop being effective and lead to plumbing issues.

What happens if grease trap isnt maintained?

The smell will subside as water fills back up into the trap. If your business does not do regular grease trap cleaning, it will lead to a rotten smell in the kitchen and dining area and could eventually lead to more serious issues like a clog or an overflow.

What kitchen equipment requires a grease trap?

Every dishwashing sink, dishwashing machine, and every fixed receptacle or plumbing fixture designed, intended, or used for the purpose of washing dishes or cooking utensils in a restaurant, cafe, cafeteria, lunchroom, hotel kitchen, hospital kitchen, sanitarium kitchen, or similar establishment shall be connected to, ...

Are grease traps used in homes?

Though grease traps are often associated with restaurants and larger businesses, they can also be quite beneficial for residential use. Not only is a grease trap better if you're on a septic system, but it can also be better for the environment, too.

What would happen if a grease trap isn't properly maintained?

Even worse, if the grease trap is not properly maintained, over time it will create a grease build-up in the lines that will result in a back up that may shut down your restaurant.

What Is The Purpose of A Grease Trap?

The wastes generated by large establishments such as schools, cafeterias, and restaurants is significantly more in both frequency and volume. If le...

How Does A Grease Interceptor Work?

In the most fundamental term, it functions by cooling warm or hot greasy water. By allowing the FOG to cool, it’s able to separate the different la...

Grease Trap Or Interceptor Sizing

Size is, needless to say, the most important thing for an establishment to consider. This is tied to the rating that hydro mechanical interceptors...

What Could Possibly Go Wrong With Grease Traps?

If the trapped FOG is not pumped out when needed, it becomes thick and may begin to escape via the outlet tee.Also, when blocking occurs in the dow...

How Often Should You Pump Your Grease Interceptor?

For correct functioning, a deep layer of water is needed. To this end, it’s recommended that a grease trap be drained as soon as the food layers an...

Besides The Pumping, Is Anything Else Needed For An Effective Grease Trap?

If the grease interceptor is not drained often enough, the inlet and outlet often become clogged with FOG. For this reason, the drainage should be...

Common Guidelines For Commercial Kitchens

To mitigate issues associated with foul odors from blocked drains, officials from the local health and hygiene department recommend the following t...

What is a grease trap?

Grease traps have been around for more than 100 years and are also known as grease interceptors, converters, catchers, grease recovery / management devices or FOG traps. They're used in in a wide range of environments including:

How does a grease trap work?

Grease traps work on the basis that animal fats and vegetable oils (grease) are 10 to 15 percent less dense than water and that grease won’t mix with water. Thus, fats and oils float on top of water. When wastewater enters a grease trap, the flow rate is reduced enough so the wastewater is given enough time to cool and separate into 3 layers.

What are the different types of grease traps?

There are 3 main types of grease trap; passive hydromechanical (manual), automatic and gravity.

How does wastewater enter a grease trap?

When wastewater enters a grease trap, the flow rate is reduced enough so the wastewater is given enough time to cool and separate into 3 layers. The grease rises to the top inside the interceptor and is trapped using a system of baffles. Solids settle at the bottom and the separated clear water escapes under an outlet baffle.

What happens when grease traps have solids?

Many grease traps also have strainers for collecting solid debris, which reduces the amount of solids that settle at the bottom of the trap.

How long does it take to clean a grease trap?

The time between cleaning / pumping out the trap will depend on the amount of wastewater produced and the size of the grease trap but it is usually every 2-4 weeks. This time-period can be lengthened to up to 8 weeks by adding a biological grease treatment fluid into the system.

How much grease is in the UK sewer system?

Nearly half a million tonnes of grease and fat enter the UK sewerage system every year. Grease sticks to pipe walls, which can eventually lead to blockages while fats and oils damage waste water treatment equipment, costing municipalities millions in repairs every year. If allowed to enter a natural water course, fats, oils and grease (FOG) can cause serious damage to the environment.

Why do I need a grease trap?

Sewer collection systems take wastewater to a treatment plant, but there are some things they’re not designed to handle . One of those is grease.

Why is it important to have a grease trap?

One factor that’s important when choosing a grease trap is efficiency. More efficient grease traps can remove and store more grease from your kitchen waste water. That means a much lower chance of blockages and overflows.

What is automatic grease removal?

Automatic grease removal devices or recovery units offer an alternative to hydromechanical grease interceptors in kitchens. While their tanks passively intercept grease, they have an automatic, motorized mechanism for removing the grease from the tank and isolating it in a container. These interceptors must meet the same efficiency standards as a passive HGI, but must also meet an additional standard that proves they are capable of skimming the grease effectively.

What happens if a passive trap is not cleaned?

A traditionally designed passive trap that’s not cleaned out on a timely basis will begin to leak grease into the sewer system, where it can cause blockages and sewage backups.

What happens when grease is pumped into a grease interceptor?

When kitchen wastewater flows through a grease interceptor, the grease rises to the surface inside the trap and are trapped using a system of baffles. (What is a baffle? It is a plastic wall inside a grease interceptor tank to slow down and often control the flow of water.) The captured grease fills the trap from the top down.

How many gallons of grease can an interceptor hold?

These interceptors often have more than 500 gallons in liquid capacity but can only hold a small percentage of that capacity in grease. They are not certified to meet any efficiency standards, so cities require them to be pumped out once the grease and solids amount to 25% of the contents.

How much grease can a trapzilla hold?

They can hold upwards of 90 percent of their volume in grease before they must be cleaned out .

What is grease trap?

A grease trap (also known as grease interceptor, grease recovery device, grease capsule and grease converter) is a plumbing device (a type of trap) designed to intercept most greases and solids before they enter a wastewater disposal system. Common wastewater contains small amounts of oils which enter into septic tanks and treatment facilities ...

What is a passive grease trap?

Passive grease traps are generally smaller, point-of-use units used under three-compartment sinks or adjacent to dishwashers in kitchens.

How long does it take for grease to settle in a grease trap?

They are commonly called gravity interceptors. Interceptors require a retention time of 30 minutes to allow the fats, oils, grease and food solids to settle in the tank. As more waste water enters the tank, the grease-free water is pushed out of the tank. The rotting brown grease inside a grease trap or grease interceptor must be pumped out on ...

How long does it take for grease interceptors to be certified?

It also requires that grease interceptors are third-party tested and certified to 90 days compliance with the standard pumping. This third-party testing must be conducted by a recognized and approved testing laboratory.

How to size grease traps?

Grease trap sizing is based on the size of the 2- or 3-compartment sink , dishwasher, pot sinks, and mop sinks. Many manufacturers and vendors offer online sizing tools to make these calculations easy. Here is a good example. The cumulative flow rates of these devices, as well as overall grease retention capacity (in pounds or kilograms) are considered. Currently, ASME Standard (ASME A112.14.3) is being adopted by both of the National Model Plumbing Codes that cover most of the US. This standard requires that grease interceptors remove a minimum of 90% of incoming FOGs. It also requires that grease interceptors are third-party tested and certified to 90 days compliance with the standard pumping. This third-party testing must be conducted by a recognized and approved testing laboratory.

When were grease traps invented?

Grease traps have been used since Victorian days: Nathaniel Whiting obtained the first patent in the late 1800s. The traps reduce the amount of fats, oils, greases and solids (FOGS) that enter sewers. They comprise boxes within the drain run that flows between the sinks in a kitchen and the sewer system.

How much brown grease goes to landfill?

The brown grease is not recycled and goes to landfill. On average 300 to 400 pounds (140 to 180 kg) of brown grease goes to landfill annually from each restaurant. A third system type, GRDs (grease recovery devices), removes the grease automatically when trapped.

Grease Traps Design and Applications: Which One Should You Select?

Every year, millions of tons of fats and greases get into the sewerage system. This is a serious issue because greases easily stick to the walls of pipes, eventually causing blockages, malfunctioning pumps, and a lot of money for repairs.

What is a Grease Trap?

Grease traps have been around for over 100 years, and they go by names such as grease recovery, catchers, converters, interceptors, and fats, oils, and grease (FOG) traps. They are recommended for a wide range of environments, including:

The Main Types of Grease Traps

There are three categories of grease traps; automatic, gravity and passive models.

How does a grease trap work?

In the most basic terms, a grease trap works by slowing down the flow of warm/hot greasy water and allowing it to cool . As the water cools, the grease and oil in the water separate out and float to the top of the trap. The cooler water - minus the grease - continues to flow down the pipe to the sewer. There are two primary methods that grease ...

How long does it take to hold a grease trap?

What that means is: If you have a 3 gallon per minute drain flow, and a 30 gallon grease trap, some agencies will consider the 3 gallons as having a 10 minute "hold" time. You calculate this by dividing the gpm by the gallon volume of the trap.

What is a grease interceptor?

The FOG that these kitchens need to dispose of is far greater in volume and frequency, requiring a specialized device to ensure pipes and the things they connect to remain functional and safe. It's called a grease interceptor (or "grease trap"), and it's one of the more important features of a commercial kitchen.

Why does my grease trap back up?

A. Grease traps back up either because they need to be cleaned or because of an outlet blockage. Buying a large unit would mean you'll need to clean it less often as there is more storage capacity of grease. But please understand that all grease traps will clog if you don't clean the grease regularly. Q.

Can grease traps clog sewer lines?

The problems that can result are usually gross and expensive - and not just for you. FOG can not only clog sewer lines (a great way to make friends in ...

Do grease traps have to be sealed?

Note that all grease traps have a maximum flow rate. Also note that for sanitation reasons, (all brands) grease traps are sealed and not open to the elements. Some brands of grease traps are difficult to open (not ours) but, in all cases, all grease traps are sealed. Again, generally (not always), the size of the grease trap versus the gallons per minute of your drainage is what determines the size that you are required to have. Please be certain of the size that is required by your local code or governmental regulatory agency prior to ordering. Shipping is very expensive for this product, and we do not accept returns on grease traps.

Do grease traps stop stoppages?

A. Grease traps do help prevent stoppages after the trap but blockages can (and do) occur as a result of insufficient (not frequent enough) grease trap line maintenance. A grease trap or drain line which is not periodically maintained (you must take the grease out of the trap) will eventually clog. Q. "My local governmental code wants ...

Why do commercial kitchens need grease traps?

Nearly every commercial kitchen is required to operate and maintain a grease trap in order to prevent sewage blockages. Grease traps primarily deal with fats, oils, and greases (FOG) that are produced during cooking, baking, frying, dish washing, or any other culinary operations.

How to keep grease traps from getting full?

Best practices include minimizing the solid food waste that goes down the drain, rinsing greasy dishes with cold water, and using biodegradable detergents for cleaning.

How many gallons per minute does a grease trap flow?

Fortunately, there are only two major distinctions: grease traps and grease interceptors. The former is classified as having a flow of less than 50 gallons per minute, and the latter is classified by having a flow of greater than 50 gallons per minute. That’s pretty much it: grease interceptors have a flow greater than 50 gpm, and traps include anything less. You’ll notice this definition does not necessarily determine size, as much as it does speed. Due to this, the actual size of a grease trap or interceptor can vary, while the flow is the determining factor as far as naming conventions go. Whichever your restaurant needs is determined on a case-by-case basis, and might also change with your municipality's guidelines.

How often should grease traps be cleaned?

Unfortunately, there’s no true rule of thumb. Depending on your kitchen’s size, type, and productivity, you’ll need a very different cleaning schedule from the restaurant down the street.

What is grease pit?

While people may use the term “grease trap” (or “grease pit”) to describe any technology that keeps FOG materials from causing problems, it does have a specific definition. There are some slight variations that it helps to be aware of when you are purchasing a grease management system.

Is it smart to maintain a trap?

Even with the best care, setting a proactive maintenance plan is still a smart idea. Overfull traps can quickly become disasters, requiring much more expensive clean-ups and even steep fines.

Why is it important to have grease traps installed?

Economically Beneficial. Having grease traps installed will greatly reduce the expensive repairs and maintenance that accrue from blocked pipes. As long as a grease trap is properly maintained, you won’t have to worry about having a blocked sewer system. Additionally, maintaining a grease trap is hassle free.

Why do grease traps need to be pumped out?

Over time, grease and solids build up, and if the accumulation is left unchecked for long, can block the inlet. As such, grease traps need to be pumped/cleaned out on a regular basis.

How does a grease interceptor work?

A grease trap works by cooling warm or hot greasy water. Vegetable oils and animal fats are 10 to 15% less dense than water and are insoluble in water. By allowing the fats, oils, and grease to cool, the different layers of the mixture are able to separate into individual layers for easy separation.

How much handling capacity does a grease trap have?

Naturally, the passive hydromechanical grease trap has up to 100gpm handling capacity. Any waste exceeding this maximum allowable flow should be left to either the automatic grease receptor or the gravity receptor as they allow for more handling capacity.

What happens if you don't have a grease trap?

When you cook without a grease trap the fats, oils, and grease (FOG) flow into local streams and rivers. FOG can become toxic over time. A grease trap intercepts the FOG before it reaches your sewage system. In addition, the FOG can be converted into rich agricultural mulch that can be used in farms as a fertilizer. 2.

Why do we flush grease down the sink?

1. Environmentally friendly. Grease traps help keep the environment clean by reducing pollution.

How to measure how full a grease trap is?

3. Insert a Measuring Stick. In order to measure how full the grease trap is you need to insert a measuring stick. Lower it gently and stir lightly so that the debris clearly marks the level. The next step is to remove the measuring stick and record the results in a fat, oils and grease pump out report.

Why is a grease trap important?

A grease trap is a significant piece of equipment to keep your septic tank system efficient. Helps improve your business’ public image.

Why do businesses use grease traps?

Having a grease trap is actually a selling point your business can use to show they are helping the environment. A grease trap’s ultimate advantage to your business is eliminating backflows. Avoiding this issue can save you time and money. Grease traps are environmentally friendly.

What is the difference between a grease trap and a grease interceptor?

The Difference Between a Grease Trap and a Grease Interceptor. If you are in the process of setting up a commercial kitchen, one thing is certain: you need either a grease trap or a grease interceptor. Essentially, these two devices work by preventing fats, oils, and grease (FOG) from interfering with other parts of a restaurant’s plumbing.

How often should grease interceptors be cleaned?

In general, grease interceptors should be cleaned out at least once every three months.

What is grease interceptor?

According to the UPS, a grease interceptor is designed for kitchens that have a flow rate of more than 50 gallons per minute. As such, grease interceptors are ideal for installation in large restaurants where there is a lot of grease flowing through the drains.

How to stop FOG from getting into trap?

Scrape plates and utensils of any excess food or debris before washing to limit the amount of FOG making its way to your trap.

When should grease traps be cleaned?

Clean your grease traps before or after business hours to ensure the unpleasant odor doesn’t affect patrons.

Why is it important to clean grease traps?

Cleaning grease traps prevent solidified fats, oils, and grease from sticking to the insides of the drainage pipes, which as a result traps food particles and other debris.

Where to put grease traps?

Commercial grease traps are normally lo cated outside the restaurant’s building, right in the ground near the walls by your kitchen’s dishwashing area. It looks similar to a manhole or a septic tank cover.

How Much Does Grease Trap Cleaning Cost?

To avoid complications, we recommend hiring a professional grease trap cleaning company for grease trap service. Generally, the price ranges between $115 to $1,040. It’s based on the size of the grease trap.

What to use to clean grease trap lid?

So be sure to wear protective clothing like coveralls to protect your clothes. Crowbar, scraper, and wrench- Use the crowbar to remove the grease trap lid. Depending on the design of the grease trap, you may need to use a wrench instead of a crowbar. Use the scraper to clean the tank and baffles.

Why do grease traps rise to the top of the tank?

Because fats, oils, and grease are lighter than water, they rise to the top of the tank.

What is a grease interceptor?

Once you have done this, you’ll also need a grease interceptor (also called grease traps) to catch the grease and food solids that go down your sink drain. Grease traps do what their name suggests: they trap the grease. On top of trapping the grease, it also traps the food solids that go down the drain as well.

How often should grease traps be cleaned?

In fact, they must be cleaned every 4-6 weeks. It is also mandated by certain municipalities to be cleaned on a set frequency unless you go through a process called a “variance.”.

Overview

Types

Uses

Method of operation

Brown grease

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