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If You’ve Ever Worked in the Foodservice Industry, You May Have Heard of a Grease Trap

For those who have worked in the foodservice industry, you may have heard of a “grease trap” or “grease interceptor.” These are critical pieces of equipment that help to protect the environment and ensure that your business complies with local regulations. 

So, what exactly is a grease trap? 

A grease trap is a device that is installed in the plumbing system of a commercial kitchen or foodservice operation. Its purpose is to capture and contain fats, oils, and greases (commonly referred to as FOG) that are generated during food preparation and cooking. These substances can solidify and clog up pipes, leading to costly and disruptive plumbing problems. 

Grease traps work by allowing wastewater to flow through a series of baffles that capture the FOG before it enters the sewer system. The collected material is then stored in a chamber. The chamber is emptied and cleaned on a regular schedule to prevent overflow from getting into the sewer system. 

Grease traps come in many sizes and configurations too. They can be as small as 24 inch square box to the size of a small bedroom. Most of them are a single chamber. Really large grease traps can be 2 or even 3 separate chambers. These separate chambers are used to really maximize the separation of water and FOG. 

Now that we know what a grease trap is, let’s discuss why it’s essential for a commercial business to have one. 

First and foremost, local regulations typically require commercial foodservice establishments to have a grease trap installed. The precise requirements can vary by jurisdiction. But the purpose of the requirements is generally the same. The sole purpose of these requirements is to prevent FOG from entering the sewer system and causing stoppages and potentially environmental harm. If your business fails to comply with these regulations, you may face fines or other penalties. Some of these penalties can include having your commercial kitchen closed. 

Aside from regulatory compliance, there are several other reasons why a grease trap is a wise investment for any commercial kitchen. Here are just a few: 

1. Prevent plumbing problems: As mentioned earlier, FOG can cause serious issues with your plumbing system if it is allowed to accumulate. A grease trap helps to prevent clogs and backups, which can be costly and time-consuming to fix. 
2. Protect the environment: When FOG enters the sewer system, it can cause blockages that result in overflows and spills. In extreme situations this can lead to contamination of nearby water sources and harm to aquatic life. By capturing FOG before it enters the sewer, a grease trap helps to protect the environment. 
3. Improve kitchen safety: When grease build up causes stoppages one the first places it over flows is in the kitchen. We all know how slippery grease and oils are. Walking around a floor that’s been covered in grease and oil is a very high slip hazard. 

In conclusion, a grease trap is a critical piece of equipment for any commercial foodservice establishment. Not only is it required by law in many areas, but it also helps to prevent plumbing problems. Grease traps also protect the environment, and improve kitchen safety. If you don’t already have a grease trap installed, consider speaking with a professional plumber or one of our experts to learn more about your options. 

Services in Phoenix & Beyond 

When you’ve found yourself in need of plumbing services in the Phoenix, Glendale, Scottsdale, or Chandler area, you can trust Robins Plumbing to provide you with prompt and expert care, contact our team today! In addition to our toilet services, we also offer a variety of residential and commercial plumbing services, including: drain cleaning, water heater repair and replacement, sewer camera inspection and locating, backflow prevention, commercial and residential jetting, water treatments, and more. Visit our reviews online to see what others have to say about our local plumbing company!