Types of Grease Traps

Having the right grease trap can save you from kitchen disasters. We’ve seen firsthand what happens when restaurants don’t manage their grease properly. It’s not pretty.

From backed-up sinks during dinner rush to complete plumbing shutdowns, grease problems can destroy your bottom line.

Thankfully, you have a few options to mitigate fats, oils, and grease (FOGs). Here’s everything you need to know about grease traps so you can keep your kitchen running smoothly and your customers happy.

What a Grease Trap Does

A grease trap basically handles any FOGs made in your kitchen during service. They might flow like water when it’s hot, but once it cools down in your pipes, it turns into a thick, sticky mess that grabs onto everything. Without a grease trap, that bacon grease and fryer oil would flow straight into your plumbing. Over time, this creates nasty blockages that smell terrible and cost thousands to fix.

A properly working grease trap separates the grease from the water, letting clean water flow through while trapping the FOGs for proper disposal. When hot, greasy water flows from your kitchen equipment, the grease trap catches the them before it can enter your pipes.

Different Types of Grease Traps

Hydromechanical Traps

Hydromechanical grease traps are the workhorses of smaller kitchens. These compact units fit right under your sink or in your floor, making them perfect for food trucks, small cafes, or restaurants with limited space.

They use a system of baffles to slow down the water flow, giving the grease time to separate and float to the top.

What’s great about hydromechanical traps is their simplicity. There are no moving parts to break down, which means fewer maintenance headaches for you. They typically hold between 20 to 100 pounds of grease, depending on the size.

Automatic Grease Removal Units (AGRUs)

AGRUs are the high-tech option in grease management. These systems automatically skim grease from the trap and store it in a separate container, which means they can run much longer without needing service. Some models even heat the collected grease to keep it liquid, making disposal easier.

For busy commercial kitchens that can’t afford downtime, AGRUs are often worth the investment. We’ve installed these in hotel kitchens, hospital cafeterias, and chain restaurants where closing for grease trap service simply isn’t an option. 

The automated skimming means you’re not relying on staff to remember manual cleaning, and the separate grease storage makes recycling easier.

Gravity Traps

Gravity grease interceptors are the heavy-duty solution for high-volume kitchens. These large tanks, usually installed underground outside your building, can hold anywhere from 500 to several thousand gallons.

They work on a simple principle: grease floats, so when wastewater enters the tank, the FOG rises to the top while cleaner water exits from the bottom.

We often recommend gravity interceptors for full-service restaurants, school cafeterias, and any kitchen producing more than 50 pounds of grease per week. The upfront installation cost is higher than a small hydromechanical trap, but these systems can go three months or more between pumpings. That means fewer service interruptions and more predictable maintenance costs.

How to Choose a Grease Trap

Here’s what we consider when helping restaurant owners make this decision:

• First, look at your menu and cooking methods. Count your fryers, grills, and other grease-producing equipment. The more you have, the larger your trap needs to be. A pizza place that mostly bakes won’t produce nearly as much grease as a burger joint with multiple fryers.
• Next, consider your space constraints. A historic building in a downtown area might not have room for a large outdoor interceptor. 
• Don’t forget about local regulations. Many cities have specific requirements for great trap sizing based on your seating capacity and menu type. 
• Think about your maintenance capabilities. A smaller trap that gets pumped monthly might seem like a hassle, but if you have reliable service (from Speedy Septic!), it can be more manageable than a large system.

The Process of Getting a System Installed With Speedy Septic

When you work with Speedy Septic, we start with a thorough evaluation of your kitchen operations. Our technicians will inspect your current plumbing, measure your space, and discuss your menu and volume.

After our assessment, we provide a detailed recommendation that includes a maintenance schedule tailored to your operation. 

We understand the urgency of keeping your kitchen operational, so we work around your schedule to minimize disruption. Most installations can be completed in a single day. We also have regular maintenance programs to make sure your grease trap keeps working properly year after year. 

Your Partner in Cleaner, Compliant Kitchens

Don’t wait for a grease disaster to shut down your kitchen. Whether you’re opening a new restaurant or struggling with an old grease management system, we’re here to help.

Our team has protected restaurants from FOG problems for over 41 years, and we’re ready to protect yours, too. Your customers come for great food and service. 

Let us handle the grease, so you can focus on what you do best. Give us a call today!

Back to Grease Trap Pumping