How Often Should a Grease Trap be Cleaned? Let’s Find Out!

Grease traps are essential devices for any restaurant, commercial kitchen, or facility that produces a lot of oil and grease waste. But how often should you be cleaning out your grease trap? This article will examine the factors that determine grease trap cleaning frequency and provide tips to keep your system running smoothly.

Grease Trap Cleaning Frequency Overview

LocationCleaning Frequency
Small Restaurant3-6 months
Large Restaurant1-3 months
Very Busy RestaurantMonthly
Commercial Kitchen1-2 months
Facility with no Food6-12 months

The most important factors that determine how often to clean a grease trap are:

  • Amount of grease generated – more grease means clean more often
  • Volume of flow through the trap – higher volumes mean clean more often
  • Grease trap size – smaller traps fill faster and need more frequent cleaning
  • Type of establishment – commercial kitchens need more cleaning than facilities with no food prep

Read on for more details on setting an optimal cleaning schedule.

Amount of Grease Generated

The biggest factor in grease trap cleaning frequency is the amount of grease your facility generates. More grease going into the trap means faster build-up and more frequent cleanings required.

  • Small restaurants may only need cleaning every 3-6 months.
  • Large, busy restaurants can require cleaning every 1-3 months.
  • Very high volume restaurants may need monthly grease trap pumping.

To determine your grease output, monitor the grease layer floating on your trap and note how quickly it builds up between cleanings. Adjust your cleaning schedule accordingly.

Volume of Flow Through the Trap

The volume of wastewater flowing through the grease trap also impacts cleaning frequency. More water flow means more grease is flushed through and accumulates faster.

Facilities with high volume flows, like large restaurants or commercial kitchens, should clean grease traps at minimum every 1-2 months. Lower volume locations like small restaurants may stretch to every 3-6 months.

Grease Trap Size

The size of your actual grease trap also influences maintenance schedule. Larger capacity traps take longer to fill up, while smaller traps fill up faster.

For example, a large 100 gallon trap in a small bakery may only need 6-12 month cleaning, while a small 20 gallon trap in a busy restaurant could fill up in 1-2 months. Make sure to factor trap size into your maintenance routine.

Type of Establishment

Facilities that serve food require more frequent grease trap cleaning than those without commercial kitchens. For example:

  • Commercial kitchens – Clean every 1-2 months
  • Restaurants – Clean every 1-6 months depending on size
  • Retail/office buildings with no food – Clean only every 6-12 months

Consider your facility type when setting a cleaning schedule. Food service facilities should aim for 1-3 month intervals, while non-cooking buildings can stretch to 6-12 months between cleanings.

Credit: Waster – Waster Pty Ltd – Recycling Facts & Info

Conclusion

Regular grease trap cleaning is vital for any facility producing food waste like restaurants and commercial kitchens. While factors like grease output, water flow, and trap size all impact frequency, the typical range is 1-3 months for most restaurants. Monitor your grease levels closely and stick to a routine cleaning schedule to keep grease under control and prevent clogs or sewage backups.

Frequently Asked Questions

How often should grease traps be cleaned in restaurants?

Most restaurants should clean grease traps every 1-3 months. Very busy restaurants may need monthly cleaning. Monitor your grease levels and adjust as needed.

When should I clean my grease trap?

Inspect traps monthly and clean when grease layer is over 6 inches, less than 25% free space, or water flow is noticeably slowed. Avoid overfilling.

Do all restaurants need to clean grease traps?

Yes, restaurants and commercial kitchens are required by code to have and maintain grease traps. Regular cleaning, like monthly or quarterly, is mandatory.

How often are you required to clean grease traps?

Legal requirements vary, but restaurants typically must clean traps at least quarterly. Many health departments require monthly cleaning. Check your local regulations.

Can you put too much grease down a grease trap?

Yes. Overloading with grease can clog pipes and cause operational problems. Scrape plates and tools before washing to reduce grease volumes entering the trap.

Should grease traps be cleaned at night?

Many establishments clean at night after closing, so the kitchen can still use the sink during open hours. However, traps can be cleaned any time they are overdue.

Photo of author

Muhammad Umar

Welcome to lubricantsinfo.com! I’m Muhammad Umar, a PhD candidate in Chemical Engineering with a research focus on mobile oils. With extensive experience in the oil and gas industry, I bring practical insights and advanced knowledge to this platform. My goal is to provide you with reliable, up-to-date information on lubricants, from selection and application to maintenance and innovation. Whether you're an industry professional or simply curious, lubricantsinfo.com is your trusted resource for all things related to lubricants and oils.

Leave a Comment