Top 10 Best Kitchen Practice Tips to Improve Your Grease Trap Performance

A kitchen grease trap, sometimes referred to as a grease interceptor, is a device designed to intercept and separate fats, oils, grease (FOG) and solid waste from wastewater, prior to entering the sewage system. Having an efficient grease trap system in your commercial kitchen is extremely important as it prevents substances from entering septic tanks and sewer systems that could cause blockages and backups, which could result in costly repairs or health and hygiene hazards.  

In this article, we are going to give you the top tips to make sure all grease traps for commercial kitchens are running at optimum performance.  

Top Tips for Optimum Grease Trap Performance

1. Scrape Plates 

Some of the greatest bits of advice are also the simplest to action. Before dishes are washed or put through a dishwasher, scrape them thoroughly into a food waste or compost bin to reduce the volume of solids that could get into the grease trap system.  

2. Cool Greases 

At hotter temperatures, fats, oil and grease can be in a liquid state, allowing them to easily pass into a kitchen grease trap, but as they cool, they solidify and can create severe blockages. After cooking, pour all FOGs into a separate container, allow it to cool and solidify, and scrape it into a rubbish bin. 

3. Catch Strainers 

Installing catch strainers over all food sink drains is another great way to reduce solids and FOGs entering the systems and causing potentially costly repairs. Simply install one to your sink to catch food and solid particles and ensure you regularly clean your strainers to prevent build-up.  

4. Mindful Disposal 

Only use a garbage disposal system when absolutely necessary, as they can increase the number of solids and food particles in the wastewater that enters the sewage system. 

5. Educate Staff 

Of course, it is best practice for all aspects of your business to educate staff to ensure optimal operation throughout, but when running a commercial kitchen with a grease trap system, it is important to supply training that fully explains the importance of a grease trap and how to dispose of FOGs properly.  

6. Regular Cleaning 

A kitchen grease trap system must be regularly cleaned and maintained to ensure it is functioning properly. Depending on the volume of FOG your kitchen produces, this may be a monthly, quarterly or annual task.  

7. Routine Inspection 

It is paramount to routinely inspect your grease trap for any signs of damage or wear that could reduce functionality or result in costly repairs. Catching problems early can save money and prevent more significant issues down the road. Contact a grease trap supplier like Goodflo to enquire about an inspection service.  

8. Avoid Chemicals 

Avoid the use of any chemicals where possible including bleach, detergents or other grease dissolvers, as they might simply move the grease further along the sewer line rather than dissolve it, leading to bigger problems and greater potential health and hygiene risks.  

9. Keep Records 

Maintain a log of all maintenance and cleaning activities to help you determine the right frequency for your kitchen grease trap cleaning, whilst also aiding local authority compliance when demonstrating your hygienic cleaning practises during an official inspection.  

10. Professional Maintenance 

Consider hiring a professional service to clean and maintain your grease trap, especially if you are running a busy commercial kitchen. They can ensure everything is being done correctly and offer advice on improvements or in emergency situations.  

At Goodflo, we have over 20 years of experience in the supply, service and maintenance of grease traps for commercial kitchens, and are always keen to help new customers experience optimum equipment efficiency and sustainability. Click here to discover all the services we supply and how they can improve your kitchen.