Did you know that in New York City, an owner of a restaurant can be fined up to $10,000 per day for each violation of the grease trap laws? If you are new to the restaurant business world, it is vital to get familiar with choosing a top-quality grease trap.
A quality grease trap is essential for a commercial kitchen. Ensure you pick the perfect one with this guide on how to choose the best grease trap.
6 Tips For Buying Commercial Grease Traps For A Restaurant
1. Size
One of the things that you have to consider is the size of the grease trap. The size will depend on how much water you use. You want to double the amount of flow to figure out the grease trap size you need. For example, if your flow is around 25 gallons, then you need a grease trap that is 50 gallons.
You will also want to consider the size and flow of your dishwasher, the size and flow of your glass cleaner, and also how many sinks you have. A reputable restaurant equipment company will help you choose the correct size for your needs.
The smaller the grease trap the more frequently you will have to clean it. So, if you have a busy restaurant and you offer a lot of fried foods then you want to consider installing a larger grease trap to avoid having to clean it on a daily basis.
2. Placement
Something else that you will have to take into consideration is where the grease trap will be placed. This placement will depend on the kitchen layout you have. The trap is usually best right under the sink.
Keep in mind, that the grease trap will require a large area when you are choosing where to place it. You can opt to place the grease trap outside as well if there is a room. Outside the trap will have a manhole cover and it will be in close proximity to the kitchen area.
If your restaurant is in a densely populated area where space outside is limited, then you want to consider placing it indoors. One of the pros of having the trap indoors is that it will be easier to access and it won't be a big deal to get to it, rain or shine.
3. Maintenance
Once you install the grease trap you will still have to think about ongoing maintenance. If you let it go without maintaining it, you will end up with foul odors and a trap that no longer traps grease. It is best to find a professional that has experience with maintaining a grease trap.
They have the training and equipment to properly vacuum out all of the solids that are in the trap. After they vacuum it then they can clean it as well.
The good thing is that you do not have to worry about local laws regarding the disposal of the grease because the company will know how and where to dispose of everything. Having a regular maintenance schedule will ensure that your grease trap lasts for years to come.
You also want to check if your state has a law on how often the grease traps have to be cleaned out. There are some states that will require it once per quarter or every 90 days. If you have a smaller grease trap, you might be able to get away with having your kitchen staff trained to clean it out themselves.
4. Material
There are a few different material options to choose from and you will want to choose based on the needs of your restaurants' kitchen. The most popular option is stainless steel because of its durability. You can also choose from one of the acid-resistant versions that will last you a long time.
5. Laws
Something else that you have to keep in mind is the local laws in your state and county. There are some states that require a trap that is a minimum of 750 gallons in size and other states might require a minimum of 1000 gallons. There are also Universal Plumbing Codes that have to be obeyed to avoid large fines.
A professional installer will know what the laws are in the area where your establishment is.
6. Type
You also have options on the type of grease trap you choose. There is a gravity trap that is made out of fiberglass, steel, or plastic and is effective at what it does but, you will have to replace it around every 15 years.
There is also a passive hydromechanical trap which is very cost-effective and compact. One of the cons is that because it is smaller it requires cleaning a lot more frequently.
Another option is an automatic trap. This is one of the more expensive options but maintaining it is a bit easier and less frequent. The automatic trap captures the oil mass from the dishwasher or from the cleaning area and stores it next to the dishwasher where it can easily be collected and discarded.
Feeling Like a Grease Trap Pro?
We hope that now that you know the ins and outs of choosing a grease trap, you can make an informed decision while you are out shopping. The last thing you need is to end up with a fine for overlooking the laws in your city about a commercial grease trap or end up with a backed-up sink for not disposing of grease properly.
Did you find our article on utilizing a grease trap for your restaurant or catering business to be useful? Keep browsing the rest of this section to catch our latest business tips for the restaurant and food service industry.
