How often do restaurants clean grease traps?
Nathan Sanders
Updated on July 20, 2026
every one to three months
The frequency of restaurant grease trap cleanings vary with how often the kitchen produces FOGS. On average, cleanings should be performed every one to three months. Restaurants, cafeterias and other commercial kitchens are advised to set up a regular service schedule to avoid missing critical cleanings.
How do you maintain a commercial grease trap?
How to Clean Your Grease Trap
- Remove the lid from the grease trap.
- Stick a ruler into the grease trap and note how many inches of grease are in the trap.
- Remove the water from your grease trap, either with a bucket or a small pump.
- Start scooping out the grease from your trap.
Do restaurants need grease traps?
Restaurants are not the only structures to benefit from grease traps and grease interceptors. Hospitals, malls, schools and other establishments require the installation of grease traps to avoid clogging the sewage lines and being fined as a result of any blockages.
Why do grease traps need to be cleaned regularly?
Grease traps are necessary for restaurants to ensure that the oil, fat, and grease from cooked food is disposed of properly. Grease traps must be cleaned out regularly as they are full of food waste. If it goes on too long, the rotting smell can travel back into the restaurant.
Can you clean your own grease trap?
For a thorough cleaning, utilize the shop vacuum to suck out any lingering FOGs from the grease trap. Next, refresh the grease trap and free the tank from obnoxious odors with a little elbow grease, a steel pot scrubber, dish soap and tepid water. Thoroughly scrub down the grease trap’s baffles, sides and lid.
How do I fix a smelly grease trap?
Baking soda and vinegar Now pour about ½ to 1 cup of vinegar (white vinegar) on it. Let the mixture bubble up and sit for about 10 minutes. Now, wash down hot boiling water and you are done. This remedy will help in keeping the grease trap odour away for the next 6 weeks, depending on the usage of the sink.
Where does grease trap waste go?
Professionals will visit the location of the restaurant and pump out all the FOG waste from the grease trap using a large hose. All of this waste enters a truck in liquid form. After the grease trap is thoroughly cleaned, the grease trap cleaning company will take the waste to a treatment facility.
Who is responsible for grease trap?
Property owners of commercial properties or their official designee(s) shall be responsible for the installation and maintenance of the grease interceptor serving multiple establishments that are located on a single parcel or for paying the FOG fee surcharge if there is no grease interceptor. 14.56.
How do you dissolve hard grease?
Just mix 3 tablespoons of baking soda with 1 cup of water. Use the solution on a sponge to scrub away light grease stains from hard surfaces, like countertops, linoleum, the stovetop and even pots and pans.
What happens if a grease trap isn’t properly maintained?
Food particles and grease adhere to the outer walls of your plumbing which can slow down water flow, and ultimately case a backup. 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.
How much does it cost to clean grease trap?
In general, it costs between $115 to $1,040 to pump a grease trap.
Can you snake a grease trap?
While a normal drain can be easily unclogged using a snake tool or chemical drain cleaners, a grease trap is not like a normal drain. The easiest way to unclog a grease trap is to prevent the clog in the first place by scheduling regular pumping and making sure that you are following proper care instructions.
Why does my grease trap smell?
While a grease trap separates the FOG from the wastewater, some food particles and organic solids are trapped inside, eventually settling to the bottom of the tank. The sulphuric gases are responsible for producing the foul smell inside the grease trap.
Is it OK to dump cooking oil outside?
You should never dump used cooking oil outside. Even if you dump cooking oil in the grass, it will find its way to the sewer system and cause clogs and other issues. It is also bad for wildlife to dump and leave used cooking oil outside.
What is a good grease remover?
15 Best Kitchen Degreasers Compared – Our Favorites
- Trinova Green Standard All-Purpose Cleaner.
- Puracy Multi-Surface Cleaner.
- 409 All-Purpose Cleaner.
- HOPE’s Perfect Kitchen Cleaner.
- KH-7 Degreaser.
- Pro HD Purple Simple Green – Heavy Duty Degreaser.
- Fantastik All-Purpose Cleaner.
- Goo Gone Kitchen Degreaser.
Does vinegar remove grease?
Vinegar’s acidity helps cut through grease easily. Spray some vinegar and water mix onto a splattered stovetop, let it sit for 10 minutes, and then scrub down with soapy water. It should wipe right off.
What happens when a grease trap is full?
Normally, when you look into the trap you can see into it, however, when the trap is full excess grease stiffen at the top, forming a cap. With all that grease and dirt buildup it becomes hard for water to flow through the sink drain, leading to slow waste movement.
Where is my grease trap?
Your grease trap is either under your sink in a metal box, in your kitchen floor under a metal sheet, or outside your restaurant under 1, 2, or 3 man-hole covers. This device is designed to catch grease and food particles that go down the the floor drains or sink drains in your commercial kitchen.
How much does a 1000 gallon grease trap cost?
The cost for having a 1000 – 1500 gal grease trap is between $225 – $315 per pumping, assuming that you sign up for an extended service program with a given grease hauler.