What is a Grease Trap ?

When you own a kitchen, there is a range of things that you need to consider. For example, you will need to choose the best sinks, bench tops, and tiles. But there is another crucial element that you might not be aware of, a Grease Trap. While these play an essential role in a range of kitchens, not many people know about what they are and why they are crucial. Let’s look at some of the things you need to understand about grease traps. 

Let’s start by looking at what role a grease trap plays in the kitchen. When you cook, you use substances like grease, oil, and fats. When you are finished, you need to dispose of these substances, so most people put them down the sink. However, this presents a problem. These substances can’t go into the sewage system. They can cool down, and stick to pipes, creating blockages that can be time-consuming and expensive to have repaired. Many kitchens use a grease trap to prevent these issues. Traps capture these substances before they get swept down the drain, which ensures that they won’t be able to cause damages to the pipes or the environment. Though there are a few ways that a grease trap can do this, they all tend to work on the same basic principle. Fats, oils, and grease are lighter than water, so they rise to the top. So, using a series of baffles, which control the flow of water, the oil can be captured and removed while the waste water gets sent into the sewage system. However, for these traps to be effective, they need to be kept clean. 

If the grease trap gets full, it will no longer be able to capture substances effectively. Depending on your situation, this can be a big problem. First, as we discussed, the grease can clog up your pipes, which can cost you too much money to have repaired. Also, some businesses will face significant fines if they are caught releasing these substances into the sewage system. Thankfully, it’s easy to prevent this with regular cleaning. Depending on how much grease you produce, you should complete a grease trap cleaning session every one to three months. Also, you should make sure to have regular inspections.

In some cases, the grease trap can become cracked or broken, and the rate at which this occurs will often vary depending on the type of material used to make the trap. For example, concrete tends to crack easier than plastics, which can reduce its effectiveness. If this is spotted early, it will take less time to fix, as the damage won’t be as extensive. 

The grease trap is an essential part of any kitchen. We discussed what these are and how traps can protect your pipes from damage. Hopefully, you now have a greater appreciation for this kitchen item and why it’s essential to invest in a proper grease trap cleaning service.