How to Clean an Old Grease Trap in a Kitchen
Grease traps are used to separate and hold grease, oils and fats so they do not drain into the sewer system. Grease traps are a common sight in restaurants and other establishments where cooking is a frequent activity. Overtime, the grease traps will become full and dirty. Regular maintenance of your grease trap is recommended to keep it working properly. If an old grease trap in a kitchen is not cleaned regularly, removing the harden grease will be difficult. Does this Spark an idea?
Things You'll Need
- Trashcan
- Trash bag
- Cat litter
- Scraping device
- Skimmer or mesh net
- Measuring stick
- Mild dish soap
Instructions
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1
Remove all items away from your work area.
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2
Line a trashcan with a trash bag and fill the bottom of the bag with cat litter. The cat litter will absorb the liquid so that transporting the waste is easier.
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3
Remove the cover of the grease trap and--if applicable--remove the screen.
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4
Clean the sidewalls and baffling plate with a scraping device. Hold the scraping device over top the trashcan and wipe clean allowing the contents on the scraping device to fall into the trash bag.
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5
Skin the water with a skimmer or mesh net to remove all floating grease. Discard the grease into the trash bag.
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6
Measure the level of food that is buildup on the bottom. If the sediment is 2 inches thick call a liquid waste hauler company to empty the kitchen grease trap if necessary.
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7
Clean the screen with cool water and mild dish soap. Scrub the screen gently with a sponge or soft-bristled brush. Rinse the screen with cool water.
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8
Fill the cleaned, empty grease trap with cold water. Replace the screen and close the airtight access lid.
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Tips & Warnings
Frequent or regular cleaning will decrease odors and lengthen the useful life of your trap, according to the Jacksonville (Florida) Electric Association.
Do not use hot water to clean your grease trap.
References
- Photo Credit schweinebraten image by mankale from Fotolia.com
