A grease trap in a busy commercial kitchen works wonders daily&#;even hourly&#;when it comes to preventing globs of fat, rancid oils and thick greases from entering the municipal sewer system and causing a host of disruptive blockages.
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Local ordinances stipulate that food establishments utilize a grease trap and perform grease trap cleaning on a regular basis. If you are opening a new commercial kitchen or want to upgrade your existing grease trap, you&#;ll want to purchase the correct grease trap for your establishment&#;s needs.
Grease traps vary in cost, ranging from approximately $218 for a 20-pound grease trap to nearly $ for a 150 pound trap. You have to sift through the options of hydromechanical grease traps, automatic ones and gravity type traps. Important considerations also include the trap&#;s capacity, location and space limitations.
Select the optimal grease trap by following a few tips of the food business trade:
Capacity & Sizing
A kitchen constantly cooking up a storm is likely to bring in a continual stream of customers. While this is good for business, it also means you will need a large-capacity grease trap to handle the huge quantity of grease discharge.
Sizing is critical, as a grease trap smaller than what is practical will require more frequent cleanings and may even be out of compliance with local ordinances. A trap too large for your needs is a financial waste.
Consider that a deli serving primarily soups and salads will require a far smaller-capacity grease trap than a fast food joint producing French fries and burgers like clockwork throughout the day.
Compliance with Laws
The Universal Plumbing Code requires that grease traps must have no less than a capacity of 20 gallons per minute or 55 gallons per minute.
Plus, each state enforces codes that regulate commercial kitchen grease traps. Local ordinances provide detailed specifications. In New Jersey, for instance, a restaurant or institutional cafeteria must feature a grease trap no less than 750 gallons. In South Carolina, Spartanburg Water specifies that outdoor traps must have a gallon minimum with a gallon maximum. (Multiple traps may be accepted if the establishment requires a larger trap capacity.)
Not only should your grease trap abide by local and state regulations, but the trap should legally meet federal standards. Restauranteurs face civil penalties&#;up to $ per day of noncompliance&#;if their grease trap is noncompliant with local laws.
Space
Just like your food business makes room for an adequate sink and suitable fry station, your establishment should have the space to maintain a grease trap. Grease traps may be located indoors, such as just beneath the sink or flooring, or on the establishment&#;s premises outdoors.
Indoor grease traps are ideal when space limitations are present, such as restaurants built in densely populated cities. Small traps located inside usually have easy access but may require more frequent cleanings. An outdoor grease trap may feature a manhole cover and is often located in close proximity to the facility&#;s kitchen area.
Type of Trap
Grease traps come in a handful of types:
Passive hydromechanical grease traps are small in size and the least costly; but due to the diminutive size, the traps require frequent cleanings to stay in compliance.
Municipalities require that gravity grease traps be pumped out when they meet the one-quarter rule (when the fats, oils and greases occupy ¼ of the tank capacity). Often consisting of concrete, gravity traps may feature steel, plastic or fiberglass material. Gravity grease traps require replacement every 15 years, as these below-ground structures can degrade and fail.
Kitchen staff can easily maintain an automatic grease trap. Designed for placement under the sink or in an indoor corner of the kitchen, automatic grease traps are pricier upfront. However, maintenance costs are reduced when kitchen employees are permitted to handle grease pumping tasks.
More commercial kitchens are utilizing high capacity hydromechanical grease traps, especially if the buildings have no space for a gravity grease trap. Taking up minimal space, hydromechanical grease traps feature plastic or fiberglass material.
Replacement Parts
When you narrow down the grease trap choices, consider whether replacement parts are readily available in the event the trap requires repair. Like any operational unit, a grease trap can fail at times. Over time, metal and concrete can fall into degradation. Upon shifting a fiberglass grease trap, cracks can ensue. Fortunately, lightweight plastic is durable and makes for an efficient grease trap. Plus, grease traps may require some parts be replaced on a set schedule.
Maintenance
While you are busy responding to customers and producing quality eats, the last thing on your mind is cleaning the grease trap. However, most states require grease traps to be cleaned at least once every quarter or 90 days. So, an easy to maintain grease trap becomes essential.
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Smaller grease traps can be cleaned by kitchen staff and the fats, oils and greases can be dumped into the trash. Larger establishments may wish to hire a professional grease trap cleaning company to pump out the grease from expansive grease traps. The professional grease trap cleaner will arrive with a truck and use professional equipment to pump out the grease. All the waste is properly disposed of in a landfill according to local regulations. Some companies even transport the greases to a renewable diesel plant where the waste is recycled.
No matter what type of commercial grease trap you purchase, the trap will require regular maintenance. When your grease trap must be cleaned, turn to the professionals at Mahoney Environmental. As a reliable restaurant grease trap cleaning service, Mahoney Environmental technicians carefully follow all local laws regarding disposal. We also offer repair services for broken grease trap parts.
Equipped with the necessary tools of the trade, Mahoney Environmental is prepared to respond to your commercial kitchen&#;s grease trap cleaning needs promptly and professionally. Grease trap cleaning costs vary based on the size of the grease trap. Contact the specialists at Mahoney Environmental and receive a free quote for any grease trap cleaning service.
A number of food service businesses worldwide have dealt with unpleasant consequences of grease traps. The most common reasons are a malfunctioning or an overflowing grease trap. In both the cases, chances are that either there is a lack of regular maintenance or the installed grease interceptor does not meet the requirements completely.
If you have faced such consequences, you know that this could potentially damage the nearby homes, businesses and the environment and might also damage the reputation of your food service business. Besides, the cost involved in getting things back to normal could be another big deal.
Hence, to avoid such situations, opting for the right grease trap is a crucial decision. So whether you are replacing your old grease interceptor or buying a new one, considering the factors discussed below can help you get the right grease trap installed more like an expert.
The most important aspect of your purchase begins with opting for the right size of the grease trap. If the size is too small it may allow the wastewater to flow away quickly without giving enough time for the FOG to separate. And if the size is too big, you know it to be a wastage of money.
However, a simple formula can help you to choose the right size. The measurement of a grease interceptor is done by Gallon Per Minute (GPM). To calculate GPM, multiply the sink volume (lxbxh) by 0.003. If you have more number of sinks, for example 3, then multiply the sink volume with the number sinks used (lbhx3), followed by multiplying it with 0.003.
The menu of your restaurant greatly impacts the size and the working of a grease trap. If your commercial kitchen prepares dishes that causes a lot of fat and grease to be disposed of down the sink, then you need a bigger grease interceptor. In addition, it also important to find out the number of meals prepared and its amount of waste released down the sink. Considering the above factors will help you to choose the right size of the grease trap.
The total cost of installation includes more than just the initial price of the purchase. After you have purchased the grease interceptor and installed, you will regularly need to empty the unit, dispose of the waste and maintain it which adds to the additional expenses in the long run. For example, the automatic grease traps are easier to clean and require less maintenance. Whereas some high-capacity grease traps may need to be cleaned less frequently. Based on the type of grease trap you install, you may also require a professional help for a regular maintenance.
Nowadays, the kitchen grease is increasingly recycled to be used in producing biodiesel. So if you have a biodiesel plant around your food service business, you could be able to gain some discounts on disposing of the waste.
Finally, it is important to consider how frequently you will need to empty the grease trap and how much will be the cost involved along with the initial cost of installation.
A grease interceptor is a unit that is assembled with different parts or components that are required to perform specific operations. Every single day, the unit has to deal with hot wastewater, grease, and other food waste. So, at some point in time, you might need to replace some part that has gone past its determined life cycle.
Here, what you need to consider is the availability of the part. How quickly can you get the part and fix it easily is something you need to think before the purchase. You can get information from manufacturers and dealers regarding the availability of the parts that will need to be purchased on a predictable schedule.
Commercial Kitchens need to operate according to the laws and regulations laid by government authorities such as the local health department, the local building inspections department, local sewer agency and also follow other plumbing and building codes. With time these codes and regulations might change or be improved.
Take for example the law implemented in Vancouver, Canada in . The government issued new maintenance requirements and limits on the amount of grease and other food waste that can release out of the grease trap and into the sewers. Food businesses that do not follow the code of compliance may be subject to a heavy fine.
Additionally, local authorities in some cities might have banned the use of certain grease interceptors. Or they may also inform you about how often these units need to be cleaned.
So, before considering all the factors discussed earlier, it is crucial to choose the grease trap as per the code of compliance.
Grease Guardian offers a wide range of grease traps for commercial purposes. Any grease interceptor offered by the company is in compliance with the codes. Two of the most popular grease traps are:
The GGX15 is an at source automatic grease removal device that is designed for commercial kitchens. The product is manufactured from 304/16 gauge stainless steel which makes it extremely durable. It is an automatic grease trap equipped with food waste basket, motion-sensor, audio-alarm and more.
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Grease Guardian houses a range of grease traps for marine applications too. The marine grease guardian is one of the most advanced grease traps that are specifically designed to function on board ships. They can be easily installed into existing or newly built ships. Even these are automatic units outfitted with oil level sensors, motion-sensors, and audio-alarms.
For the types of grease traps, Grease Guardian offers 10 years warranty on the tank and up to 3 years of warranty on the parts.
In case your business has expanded or the menu has changed, but your kitchen has not, ensure that the grease trap you are using is able to handle the amount of food waste produced. If you are not sure how to check, you can reach out to us for a quick assistance from our friendly technicians. We are happy to inspect your kitchen and the grease trap to ensure everything is functioning properly.
Going forward, whether you looking out for the right grease trap for your commercial kitchen or are in need of a routine grease trap maintenance, Grease Guardian is here to meet your requirements with a professional and friendly approach.
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