Drain & sewer answers
How Often Should a Restaurant Clean Its Grease Trap?
Most restaurant grease traps need cleaning every one to three months, and busy kitchens more often. A common rule of thumb is to pump the trap before grease and settled solids reach about 25% of its depth. Your local sewerage authority may set specific requirements, so check your permit.
The 25% rule
A grease trap works by slowing wastewater so fats, oils and grease (FOG) float and food solids sink. Once the combined grease and solids take up about a quarter of the trap's depth, it can't separate properly and grease starts flowing into your drain lines and the public sewer.
Signs your grease trap is overdue
- Slow kitchen drains or floor drains
- Bad odors in the kitchen or near the trap
- Grease visible at the outlet or in downstream cleanouts
- Backups during busy service
Why the drain lines need attention too
Even with a well-maintained trap, grease coats the kitchen lines over time. Hydro-jetting grease lines on a schedule removes that buildup so you don't get a shutdown in the middle of a Friday night rush.
Staying compliant
Local sewerage authorities in New Jersey regulate grease discharge from food service businesses. Keep a log of every cleaning, keep receipts, and check your permit for required frequency. A grease management program keeps cleaning, jetting and records on one schedule.
What a professional cleaning includes
- Pumping out grease, water and solids
- Scraping and cleaning the trap walls and baffles
- Checking inlet and outlet lines
- Recording the cleaning date for your logs
See grease trap cleaning or call 973-715-9422 to set up a schedule for your restaurant in Union, Essex, Hudson or any of the counties we serve.
Frequently asked questions
How often should a grease trap be cleaned?
Most restaurants need grease trap cleaning every one to three months. High-volume kitchens may need it more often.
What is the 25% rule for grease traps?
Clean or pump the trap before grease and settled solids reach about 25% of its total depth, after which it stops separating grease effectively.
Can a clogged grease line be hydro-jetted?
Yes. Hydro-jetting is the standard way to remove hardened grease from commercial kitchen drain lines.
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