Grease traps are great for collecting FOGS (fats, oils, and grease). Occasionally, however, these systems must be cleaned to ensure proper safety standards and maintenance.
- Gently detach your grease trap lid using a pry par. Be careful during this process as the gaskets located beneath the grease trap cover may be damaged if not handled properly.
- Inspect the parts of your grease trap once you have removed the lid. During your grease trap maintenance, you will have to remove the parts to clean them and then replace them afterwards, so it’s important to know the locations of the parts. If you have a manual or graph of the grease trap’s interior, it will be helpful to refer to this.
- Measure the amount of debris in the grease trap by inserting a wooden dowel or measuring stick. This will let you know how much oil and grease has accumulated over time. You can use a tape measure to record the results in your FOG pump out report, which is issued by the Environmental Protection Agency.
- With a small bucket or waste bin, remove any standing water from your grease trap tank. This water can be replaced into the grease trap after the waste has been removed. Using a small bucket, scoop the waste out of the grease trap and place it in a water tight container, such as a heavy duty plastic trash bag.
- Continue cleaning by scraping down solids and fats off the sides and lid of your grease trap. Manually remove any large pieces of buildup that may have attached to the unit. If you prefer, you can use a wet/dry vacuum to remove any leftover particles. Excess waste and odor can eliminated with soap and lukewarm water and a steel pot scrubber.
- Once you’ve fully cleaned the grease trap, replace the lid and the interior parts to their original condition. Ensure that are parts are working and secured. If you have a manual or diagram of the grease trap, refer to this as you reassemble the grease trap.
- Keep a copy of your FOG report for your records, and store it in a safe location with the rest of your maintenance and service documents.