Why Should You Have Grease Trap Installation?

The Danger of Fats, Oils, and Greases

Pouring fats, oils, and greases (FOG) down the drain can give you gross and expensive problems. They can clog drains in your plumbing system just as they clog arteries in our bodies. Small amounts of FOG can be disposed properly by pouring them into an empty jar or can and tossing that into the trash. Businesses, at residential or commercial properties, however, need to dispose of a great volume of FOG. The jar or can method is just not feasible in this situation. For large-scale establishments such as restaurants and cafeterias, there is the grease trap.

What Is A Grease Trap?

A grease trap is a device that is designed to collect and store FOG so that they do not enter the plumbing system and cause problems. These devices come in a variety of sizes and are not the most glamorous part of a kitchen. Therefore, they are often installed in hidden places beneath sinks or outside. From the outside, they look like simple metallic containers. In these containers are compartments filled with water as well as pipes leading in and out of the grease trap.

How Does A Grease Trap Work?

A grease trap works by catching and cooling down warm and hot FOG until they harden and float to the top, thereby preventing them from hardening while inside of the plumbing system. The cooler water, without the FOG, continues its journey down the pipe into the sewer system or septic system. Though the grease trap works well on its own, it does require maintenance and proper care. Scrape off extra food on plates to limit FOG, recycle your cooking oil, and regularly clear out your grease trap when it is about a fourth full. All of these should help the effectiveness of the grease trap.