How to Clean a Grease Trap

A simple guide to removing built up grease

Co-authored by Markeicha Dulaney and Christopher M. Osborne, PhD

Last Updated: April 19, 2024

Grease traps are designed to do just what the name implies, which is to trap fatty oils, greases, and sludge, and to separate the oils from water. The substances pass through a catching system, which gives them time to cool off and solidify, and the water passes through the drain as normal. This system must be maintained regularly in order to work effectively in keeping your grease trap clean. When done correctly, learning how to clean a grease trap will save you ample amounts of money for your business.

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Be sure to go slowly through this process, as there are gaskets for the grease trap located just under the cover. If you damage these, you will have to spend money to replace them.
You will be removing and replacing parts during cleaning, and you need to know where the components are located and how to install them to put them back in properly. For better results, it may help to draw a diagram of the trap's interior so that you can refer to during the re-installation process.

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Insert a wooden dowel or measuring stick into the grease trap. Gently guide it to the bottom of the trap, and swirl it lightly in the trap so that the grease and oils mark the dowel. This can provide you with a guide to how much debris is in the trap.
- Remove the dowel, and use a tape measure to determine how many inches of waste are present. Record the results in a FOG (fatty oils and grease) pump out report, which is issued by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).
If you prefer, you can store the water in a larger bucket or trash bin, and pour it back into the drain after collecting the waste.
Scoop the bucket in to the trap, and bring out the solidified waste. Place the waste in a water-tight container, such as a heavy-duty plastic trash bag.
Remove any large pieces of fat or oils that are attached to the trap. To achieve an even cleaner trap, you can use a wet/dry vacuum to suck out any smaller bits of waste.
Use a steel pot scrubber to remove excess waste and odor. Flush the screens and parts with water to remove the soap and debris.
Replace the lid once all the parts are secured and working.
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Research source} Mail the original to the address listed on the report.

The Takeaway: Cleaning a Grease Trap

Carefully remove the grease trap and use a wooden dowel to figure out how much waste is in it. Get rid of any standing water and waste, and then scrape down the inside of the grease trap. Clean all parts of the grease trap with soap and room-temperature water before putting it back together.

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How often should you clean a grease trap?

Markeicha Dulaney
Personal Chef
Chef Markeicha Dulaney is a Personal Chef and Founder of Sweet Monáe Personal Chef Services in 2015 in South Florida. She has over 22 years of experience in the kitchen and provides customizable menus to meet the dietary needs, taste preferences, style, and budget of each client. She also specializes in weekly in-home chef services, all-inclusive pro-chef services, boutique catering, and pantry organizing services. She was featured in The Knot's "Table for Two" YouTube episodes and has also been featured in Real Simple Magazine article on "What routines save you the most time.” Chef Markeicha Dulaney graduated with an Associate's Degree from the Pennsylvania Culinary Institute of Culinary Arts and is a longtime member of the USPCA (United States Personal Chef Association).

Markeicha Dulaney

Personal Chef

Expert Answer

Try to clean your grease trap once every 2 weeks (if your stove has one). Make sure that you're also cleaning the filters that are above the hood of the stove—those tend to collect a lot of grease, too.

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Why is the area around my grease trap flooded?

Community Answer

The lid might not be on properly, or there could be possible corrosion below the trap. You should check all of the screws to make sure everything is tightened properly.

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Where does one get a FOG report?

Community Answer

Ask your city if they have a form. If not, certain cities just want an excel spreadsheet or folder with when and who performed the clean out.

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Grease trap cleaning should be a regular part of your facility's maintenance routine. The EPA requires that these traps remain clutter-free and functional.^{[2]
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Research source} Failure to comply is a criminal offense in most locations.

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A mask is recommended due to the rancid odors of the grease trap.

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For optimal results, you should perform a vigorous cleaning a minimum of every 90 days. This will have multiple benefits, including minimizing foul odors emanating from the trap, preventing it from overflowing into your business or the street, and guaranteeing its effectiveness.

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