Grease Trap Cleaning Frequency

Running a restaurant involves many responsibilities, and the tasks can pile up quickly. One question that many owners have as time goes on in the business is when it's time to service the grease trap. It’s often neglected, but cleaning out the grease trap is something that needs attention. Here’s the key points about the frequency of grease trap cleaning.

What to Consider

When and how often you clean out the grease trap will depend on a few key elements. Before you plan a cleaning schedule (we’ll get to that in a moment), you should know the size and capacity of your grease trap, how often it operates, and how large your restaurant is.

The most vital thing to remember is that cleaning your grease trap is essential for restaurant/kitchen care. In fact, failure to clean it could lead to expensive fines if you overlook cleaning it regularly. In addition, a dirty grease trap will put your customers’ health on the line.

How to Determine Your Cleaning Schedule

Most grease traps should be cleaned out every 1-3 months, depending on usage. To know exactly what your cleaning schedule should be the grease traps, consider the “1/4th rule.” In simple terms, the grease trap should be cleaned out when it reaches a quarter of its capacity. The fats, oils, grease, and solids (FOGS) inside the trap can begin to develop unpleasant odors if left to sit for too long, so draining it before it fills up too much will avoid foul odors. Additionally, the more FOGS there are in the trap, the less effective the trap becomes; you could see backups in the plumbing or slow sink drainage if left too long.

Legal Considerations

Some counties have specific requirements on how often a restaurant must clean out grease traps. The specific regulation will depend on your location, but a common rule is that traps must be cleaned out every three months. This means you must clean the grease trap at least once every three months, even if it hasn’t hit the ¼ rule.

Make sure to verify your local health and safety laws and restaurant guidelines, so you don’t unknowingly violate them. Bringing in a professional is a surefire way to keep up with your grease trap cleaning since they’ll know the laws. Plus, they’ll have the expertise to provide an efficient trap.

Cleaning out a grease trap is no easy chore, and as a busy restaurant owner, you have enough on your plate. Leave the job to the experts at our team. We’ll maintain your traps promptly and thoroughly so you can stay focused on what matters most.

Give us a call now at (888) 860-0649 to request a free in-home estimate.