How to Dissolve Grease in a Grease Trap: 7 Steps

Grease traps do an important job in any commercial kitchen, but over time they can become clogged with fat, oil and food residue. When this happens, smells start to appear, sinks drain slowly and you may even face compliance issues.

The good news is that dissolving grease in your grease trap is usually straightforward once you know what to do. The grease trap experts at Aqua Mundus bring you 7 steps on how to dissolve grease in a grease trap, helping you keep your kitchen running safely and smoothly.

For those who don’t know, grease traps are devices that capture fat, oil and grease (FOGs) before they enter your drainage system. It prevents blockages, protects wastewater networks and keeps commercial kitchens compliant and running efficiently.

You will see clear signs if your grease trap is blocked with significant amounts of FOGs. Slow draining sinks, unpleasant odours and visible fat build up around the lid usually indicate a trapped blockage. Kitchens with high daily output will often notice these symptoms sooner because grease accumulates faster.

Most commercial kitchens should check their trap weekly and carry out a thorough clean every one to three months. High-volume kitchens may need more frequent maintenance to stay compliant and avoid emergency callouts.

Before opening your grease trap, turn off nearby appliances and allow the contents to cool. This helps prevent burns and makes the FOGs easier to handle.

Lift the lid off your grease trap. If you have a below ground grease trap, use appropriate pry tools. This can release strong smells, so lift the lid in stages and allow the air to circulate before working on it.

Remove the floating grease layer and any solid waste using a scoop or bucket. This makes it easier for hot water or degreaser to reach the stubborn deposits underneath.

Pour soapy hot water (not boiling) into the trap to loosen softened fat. For heavier build-up, we recommend using a commercial degreaser or enzyme-based cleaners to dissolve stubborn grease more quickly.

Use a stiff brush to scrub the trap walls, baffles and any removable parts. Work methodically so that every surface is cleaned, and old grease has no chance to reform.

Flush the trap with clean water until all the residue is removed. Once everything looks clear, you can then replace the components and secure the lid tightly.

Where to dispose of the fats, oils and grease? It’s crucial to never pour the FOGs back down the drain. You must dispose of it through proper waste channels and keep a maintenance record for compliance and future reference.

Sticking to a regular cleaning schedule is the easiest way to keep your system healthy. Cleaning can be performed by in-house staff, but for more extensive cleaning tasks, sometimes professional help is best.

Here at Aqua Mundus, we offer scheduled grease trap cleaning services that help businesses stay compliant, reduce downtime and extend the life of their equipment.

Always avoid putting oil, cooking fat, food scraps, coffee grounds and dairy-heavy waste down the drain. Even small amounts can solidify and lead to substantial blockages. Never pour grease into the general waste bin, either, as this breaches waste management regulations.

Along with routine cleaning, professional routine maintenance keeps your trap operating at peak efficiency and ensures you meet local and national regulations. We provide full maintenance packages tailored to your kitchen size and usage.

With these 7 steps, you can effectively dissolve grease in your grease trap. If you want absolute peace of mind that your grease trap is clean, compliant and functioning properly, working with an expert team is the simplest solution.

Aqua Mundus offers cleaning, maintenance and installation services as well as provides a range of grease trap types for your commercial kitchen. For any assistance or more information on how we can help, get in touch with our team.