How to Deal with Leftover Grease & Tips to Clean a Grease Trap

For those who work in the food service industry, there are lots of things that you need to know about behind the scenes of an operational commercial kitchen. Of the many different things that you need to know about, the grease trap is of utmost importance. For the kitchen to run smoothly and successfully you need to know how to keep it clean and maintain it regularly.

If you cook greasy food such as chicken cutlets or frying up a pan filled with bacon, one thing you need to consider is not to pour the excess oil and grease down the drain. The oil or grease that solidifies itself within the pipes can easily lead to plumbing problems down the road. Instead of pouring this dangerous sludge down the drain, consider doing the following:

1. Let the grease freeze
Don’t simply pour the excess grease and oils down the drain - pour them in the trash. To prevent having a smelly, wet trash can, pour the leftover grease and oils into a plastic container or bag and then place it in the freezer. When the garbage is collected, take the grease out of the freezer and put it into the trash before you take it to the curb. This prevents any bad smells and messes in your home.

2. Utilize your disposal
Sometimes excess grease or oils end up in your sink and down the drain. In that case, no need to panic, especially if you have a proper garbage disposal. Simply turn the water to the coldest setting so that the grease solidifies before it goes down the drain pipe. Keep the cold water on to flush out the pieces without having them melt back down.

3. Flush it out
Every sink does not have a garbage disposal to chop up the solidified grease. If the grease or oil-based products are spilled into the sink in the oil form, turn the water to the hottest setting. This helps the grease move down the pipe and lowers your risk of developing any dangerous clogs. You can also install a catcher in every sink so that you can at least catch some of the oil before it enters the drain.

What is the role of a grease trap?
For those who are work at a commercial place or food service industry, it is important to know what your grease trap does? The magic of a grease trap protects your kitchen’s plumbing system and separates oils, grease, and any sludge from the water so that it doesn’t clog the waste pipes. As the grease begins to trap it can later be emptied and cleaned.

How to Clean Your Grease Trap.

  • Step 1: You just have to remove the grease trap lid with a pry bar, but that must be done very slowly. If you do it very fast, then it could damage the gasket that is lying underneath the lid. After you have successfully removed the lid, you can inspect the grease trap to learn the various parts.
  • Step 2: Take a measuring stick and then slowly place it into the trap till it reaches the bottom. You can give it a quick twirl so that the grease accumulates on the stick. Then remove the measuring stick to get an idea of how much grease is in the trap.
  • Step 3: The standing water that is within the grease trap can be removed by using a small bucket. You can then hold the water in this bucket till the end so as to avoid dumping it down the drain with any oils that are attached to it.
  • Step 4: You can remove all the collected grease and oils from the grease trap by using a small bucket. Simple place the waste in a heavy-duty plastic trash bag that can handle liquids. Then scrape the sides and lid of the trap and, if available, a wet vacuum is perfect for this cleaning.
  • Step 5: The grease trap can then be cleaned by using soap, warm water and a metal scrubber. Once you are done with cleaning simply rinse the screens and remove the parts with water. All the parts that you have cleaned can then be cleaned with the lid.

All restaurant owners and other food service businesses should get their grease trap properly cleaned! If your business’s plumbing system is experiencing frequent clogs and slow draining sinks, then you can get in touch with a commercial plumbing company in Brooklyn. Our licensed and reputable plumbers can help remove the build-up of grease in your sinks and get your business back to working the way it should be.

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