Tips on Grease Trap Cleaning

Proper cleaning of grease traps is necessary for their smooth functioning. This story provides some tips for cleaning a grease trap on your own.

Grease traps are meant for filtering fats, oils and grease, from large commercial kitchens. Otherwise known as grease interceptors or grease recovery devices, grease traps prevent the grease in used kitchen water, from entering the common sewage system.

Commercial kitchens release large amount of grease, which may clog the sewage or the wastewater treatment system. When the wastewater is collected in the sewage tanks or treatment facilities, the grease forms a floating scum layer.

Microorganisms act on this scum layer and digest the grease; but a huge scum layer can overwhelm the tank and pollute the environment. Some of the fats, like lard, can solidify and block the drainage. Hence a grease trap was introduced to filter the grease, before it enters the sewage system.

Usually, grease traps look like boxes or barrels, which are connected to the sewage system. A grease trap is located between the drain pipes from the kitchen and the pipes of the common sewage system; and is not connected to any other drainage, like those from toilets. Only wastewater containing grease, flow through these grease traps.

A grease trap can be made of plastic, stainless steel, iron or concrete; and can be placed inside or outside the building. It can be placed underground or above the ground level. The wastewater that enters the grease tank, cools down to form an oily layer in the top, allowing the water to settle at the bottom.

An exit pipe, which is attached to the base of the grease trap helps to remove the water, while the grease remains enclosed at the top. The grease which is accumulated is called brown grease, which requires appropriate disposal methods. This grease can also be recycled to produce biofuel.

An accumulation of grease in a grease trap may affect the efficiency of the device, which in turn, can lead to blockage of wastewater and foul smell. Apart from that, large quantities of grease may get deposited in the common sewage system, and this can attract fines. Hence, regular cleaning and maintenance of grease traps is necessary.

In case of huge grease traps, grease pumping trucks pump out the accumulated grease. Though professional cleaning services are available, you may also clean the grease trap on your own. Here are some guidelines for cleaning a grease trap

• Grease trap cleaning is not at all difficult, if you have enough patience and time. Remove the cover of the grease trap. Do it carefully to avoid damage to the gasket.
• Remove the scum layer and deposit it in a garbage can lined with several garbage disposal bags. You may also use a heavy-duty trash bag for this purpose.

• Remove the baffles, and clean and rinse them thoroughly. Now scrape the sediments at its bottom and remove the waste deposited in the strainer.
• Clean the bypass vent, for which you need a flexible probe. Once done, you have to fix the baffles properly and place the cover carefully.

• Now dispose off the grease collected. While small quantities of brown grease can be disposed of at the local dump, such disposal is not allowed if the quantity is huge. So it is wise to approach professional grease trap cleaners, if you have large, commercial grease traps. They can take care of the disposal of large quantities of grease.

You can prevent buildup of grease in the grease trap by using bacteria additives. These bacteria can break down the waste biologically, leaving behind only carbon dioxide and water. This can reduce the number of cleanups. Hot water flushes and enzyme-only products should be avoided, as both can liquefy the grease, and allow it to enter the sewage system.