Do I Need a Grease Trap for my Commercial Kitchen?

Commercial kitchens such as restaurants, bars, and bakeries adhere to local health and safety regulations as they prepare, cook, and store food. In New Zealand, a grease trap is mandatory for commercial purposes, where cooking with fats and oils is involved.

Aside from being a legal requirement for safe food handling, grease traps in NZ are essential for proper liquid waste disposal. We discuss why you need a grease trap for commercial kitchens.

What is the purpose of a grease trap?

If you’re starting a food business with a commercial kitchen, you will require a grease trap by law to ensure safe water for the community. But what exactly is a grease trap, and how does it connect to wastewater treatment facilities?

A grease trap is a receptacle that prevents fats, oil, and grease (collectively known as FOGs) from infiltrating municipal water lines. They keep underground pipes flowing smoothly, steering clear of solidified grease.

How does it work?

A grease trap stops water from mixing with oils that aren’t allowed down the drain. After the grease trap strains the water, the FOGs solidify and rise to the top. Food pieces sink to the bottom, while the water in the middle layer goes down the sewer system.

Why is using a grease trap important?

When talking about grease, you may imagine its liquid form. However, grease can cool and harden, which may cause serious blockages in your kitchen’s drain. Commercial kitchens handle large amounts of wastewater daily, so a grease trap is crucial to keep your kitchen drains running smoothly and avoid disrupting business operations.

On a larger scale, grease affects the overall wastewater collection system. Wastewater from commercial kitchens contains amounts of oil and grease particles that reach the water supply via septic tanks, forming a layer of scum. While microorganisms break down the scum layer over time, large volumes of fat and cooking grease can overwhelm a treatment facility. This situation leads to wastewater overflows which can damage properties and contaminate local bodies of water.

Prevent costly problems with routine cleaning and maintenance

Maintenance is critical to keep your grease traps functioning properly and prevent costly problems down the road. DIY methods such as improper pumping techniques or pouring warm water down your drains are not the solution if you want to clear away kitchen grease traps. Once the grease cools, the FOGs continue to solidify and harden and will still result in blockages.

Grease traps must be cleaned and emptied weekly to ensure your drain’s smooth flow. Professional plumbers and certified contractors can remove grease and oil to prevent foul odours and buildups that block outlet pipes.

Call Streamline for grease trap installation and maintenance

A functional grease trap is one of the most important parts of any food business. The work inside commercial kitchens is fast-paced, so you need efficient workspaces to perform at their highest capacities.

Call our team if you need commercial grease trap installation or cleaning service. We handle blocked drains and perform grease trap cleaning at cost-effective rates. For fast and excellent services, contact us today!