The grease trap separates fat and solid waste from wastewater, ensuring that your kitchen runs as smoothly as possible. With its tough job, it’s no surprise that cleaning grease traps can be scary—it can make your stomach churn if you’re not strong enough.
However, cleaning grease traps and performing maintenance are essential. Without it, kitchen emergencies may arise, and you may suffer from more trouble than what was there in the first place.
Here are some handy tips you should consider before cleaning grease traps correctly.
- Have a Bucket Handy
When cleaning the grease traps, you should have two buckets on hand. One is for the waste, and the other is for the water that you will use to clean the grease. This is to make sure that you don’t mix the waste and the water. The water can cause a stinky odor that will be hard to get rid of.
Also, make sure you have a utility sink handy to wash your hands between the two buckets.
- Measure the Fat, Oil, and Grease (FOG) Content
Once you have drained the grease trap, you need to measure the FOG content properly. The aim is to separate the FOG from the wastewater. This will help you determine if the grease trap needs to be cleaned. Take note that you have to have vital information from your kitchen equipment manufacturer and your municipality.
Next, you must determine if the grease trap needs to be emptied based on the amount of FOG and if it is over the limit. You can ask an expert to help you ensure you are compliant in this department.
- Clean Only When the Establishment Is Closed
Make it a habit to start cleaning grease traps regularly to keep your kitchen in good shape. However, you should clean the grease trap only when the establishment is closed.
Doing so will help prevent and avoid any slip, fall, and trip injuries that may arise when customers are there. Plus, grease traps don’t smell great, and that’s something you don’t want your patrons to get a whiff off.
- Use a Baking Soda and Vinegar Solution
It’s best to avoid using any chemical cleaners when cleaning the grease traps. These chemicals can cause issues with the wastewater going through the wastewater system. It could also contaminate the municipal water supply.
Instead of using these chemicals, it’s better that you use a baking soda and vinegar solution. It’s a great, natural combination that’s better for you and the environment.
- Hire Professionals for a More Thorough Cleaning
You can do it yourself, but you might need some help with this task. Professionals can do the job with ease and efficacy. For your grease trap, you need to hire a professional company in your area that can do all of your commercial cleaning, including cleaning grease traps.
When managed by a professional crew, the cleaning process will be done correctly and more thoroughly. Therefore, you can ensure that the grease trap is clean and safe to use.
Final Thoughts
Cleaning the grease trap is your responsibility as a business operator. You must not neglect this job, as it is essential to your business. But no matter how much of a pro you think you are, your expertise may be limited for cleaning grease traps. It’s always best that you hire the services of professional for cleaning grease traps.
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