Improve Grease Interceptor Performance With The Drain Strainer™
If you run a high-volume restaurant then you already know that your grease interceptor is a critical component of your commercial kitchen that is often overlooked, but only until it’s time to clean or replace it.
Grease interceptor cleaning is a nasty job. Whether you do it in-house or hire professionals, it’s not something you want to do any more often than absolutely necessary.
If you’re wondering how to keep your grease interceptor operating in peak condition, you came to the right place. We’re going to fill you in on the top ways to improve the performance of your grease interceptor.
Grease Interceptor vs. Grease Trap
Before we get into it, let’s discuss the difference between a grease interceptor and a grease trap.
The technology is basically the same for both. They both capture most fats, oils and grease (FOG) from your wastewater. On good days, they keep your plumbing lines free from clogs. The only difference is the scale at which they accomplish this.
A grease trap can handle flows of up to 50 gallons-per-minute, while grease interceptors are designed to handle higher volumes. Which brings us to our first consideration.
Capacity and Size
It’s vital to the functioning of your commercial kitchen to accurately gauge your waste oil/grease discharge. The more FOG you are producing the bigger the grease interceptor you’ll need.
If you are finding you have to clean your grease trap frequently, you may have one that is too small. To figure out your grease interceptor’s capacity determine the size of your kitchen sinks and the appliances that empty into them.
Your grease interceptor is definitely an investment. But if you are a high volume restaurant that serves a lot of greasy foods, they are required by most municipalities.
Compliance With City Codes
A poorly managed grease interceptor can cause big problems. Backups can result in flooded kitchens, bathrooms, or burst pipes in your commercial kitchen. Putting your crew and customers at risk, while costing you time and money.
Because of this, most municipalities are implementing stricter compliance requirements for businesses with grease traps.
These requirements can add up. Especially if you aren’t using the right size and capacity for your establishment. Before you invest in equipment make sure you understand your local Health Department’s compliance rules.
Physical Space
How big is your kitchen? Grease traps, and especially grease interceptors, can take up valuable space. Gone are the days when every restaurant was equipped with enough space for a large grease trap out back.
Additionally, you will need to make sure the grease trap is easily accessible for cleaning. Make sure you take into account how grease interceptors fit in with your setup. Some grease traps can be installed under a floor or in a basement.
Do your research to figure out what type of setup makes the most sense for you while remaining compliant with local ordinances.
How Durable Is It?
Commercial kitchens are fast-paced environments. At the height of a rush, they can really take a beating. That’s why buying commercial kitchen equipment that is durable is so important.
High volume and greasy foods will also take their toll on your grease interceptors. But a high volume of foodservice makes the hefty investment well worth it.
Most modern kitchen equipment is increasingly built to handle the heavy demands placed on them. Make sure you are shopping from a trusted vendor that has positive customer reviews. Cutting corners here may end up costing you big time later on.
How Available Are Replacement Parts?
Even if you get the perfect, most durable grease interceptor out there you will likely need to replace a part at some point. After all, it’s processing a lot of greasy water all day, every day.
Before you buy, make sure to ask about the availability of replacement parts. Your restaurant equipment dealer should be able to share their insights with you. They likely know what will need to be replaced and when over time.
You may even be able to set up a maintenance schedule with them if that’s something they offer.
Maintenance Requirements
Make sure you install the grease trap in a place that’s easily accessible. The harder your grease interceptor is to access, the less likely it is to receive proper maintenance.
One way or the other, grease trap maintenance and cleaning have to happen. Some people prefer to assign the task to an employee, while some call in the professionals to vacuum and dispose of accumulated FOG.
Depending on where your business is located, you may even be able to ship your grease off to become Biodiesel.
How often you will maintain your grease interceptor is an important consideration. Without a clear plan or schedule outlined it’s easy for this task to be neglected.
Cost of Installation and Ownership
Grease interceptors are not where you want to try to pinch pennies. Depending on size and placement, a new install can cost you anywhere from $2500 dollars to $15,000 dollars. As is the case with most things, you get what you pay for.
You will need to factor in the cost of cleaning. Whether that means hiring professionals or paying an employee to do it. There are pros and cons to either solution, but if you are relying on your employees, keep in mind that it’s easier for them to ‘forget’ about emptying the grease interceptor on a regular basis.
You will also need to factor in the cost of replacement parts and what you would need to pay to hire someone to install them.
It may even make sense to factor in a provisional budget for grease trap failures or fines. The build-up of FOG in city sewers is a pretty serious problem in many places. For that reason, fines can be steep, in some cases thousands of dollars.
Careful Consideration
When all is said and done, purchasing and maintaining a grease interceptor can cost thousands of dollars. So, make sure you have considered all the variables and know what is expected of commercial kitchens with grease traps in your area.
These are just a few of the things to be aware of when thinking about optimizing the performance of a grease interceptor or grease trap. It may seem a bit daunting but it’s really not. The technology is simple and has been around for many years.
As long as you keep up with regular maintenance you should be OK. However, what if we told you there’s a way to guarantee the longevity of your grease interceptor?
Work Smarter, Not Harder
There are many products out there that claim to help cut costs. Things like grease trap cleaners, toxic chemicals, or enzymes that ‘break up solids.’ All claim to help keep your grease traps functioning optimally, but they all have their limitations. Ultimately, these are all just additional monthly costs as you will need to keep buying them.
We’ve got a better solution. Something that will equate to less work for you, better results trapping food solids, and a cleaner grease trap.
We’d like to introduce you to The Drain Strainer™.
Prevent Grease Interceptor Clogs
The Drain Strainer™ was invented by a former restaurant owner with years of experience in the restaurant industry. We stand by our product and think you will too.
It works with your existing grease management system. It effectively traps any food solids in your wastewater with our strainer drawer catch tray before they make it into the grease trap.
Most clogs in grease traps come from a build-up of food particles. The Drain Strainer™ is a one-time purchase that can significantly extend the life of your grease trap. And perhaps more importantly, it can alleviate the headache of dealing with frequent clogs and cleanings.
Your grease interceptor is a vital part of your restaurant. Making an investment now to keep it free from clogs can help you grow your business.
With the help of The Drain Strainer™ you’ll no longer have to worry about back-ups, leaks, or nasty clogs in your plumbing. It’s easy to install and operate, but best of all, it really works.
Solid Protection For Your Grease Interceptor
Any way you slice it, a high-volume commercial restaurant needs a good grease interceptor. When you’re looking for better grease interceptor performance, look no further. An investment in The Drain Strainer™ will transform your back of the house.
If you are interested in learning more about what we offer, please reach out. Our experienced team of professionals is standing by and ready to help.