WHAT TO CONSIDER WHEN CHOOSING A GREASE TRAP
As a responsible foodservice business, you’re keen to install a grease management solution to manage the fats, oils and grease entering your drainage system and the wider sewer network but how do you ensure you’ve chosen the right solution? Kriss Ombler provides some advice on the key factors to consider and questions to ask.
1)How many covers does your food establishment supply per day?
This is important because it affects the amount of FOG (fats, oils and grease) that your kitchen is discharging. Your menu options (the type of food you produce) can affect the amount of grease produced so it’s useful to bear this in mind when deciding which grease trap you may require. The type of grease trap you purchase can be affected by the number of meals you serve per day, the type of cuisine you provide and your operating times.
2)How many sinks/appliances will be connected to the grease trap?
If you only have one or two sinks in your kitchen then you won’t require the same type of grease trap as one that can manage four or five. Additionally, if you have a dishwasher connected to a grease trap it will affect the flow rate and the type of grease trap which is most suitable for your kitchen. Calculating the maximum flow rate your kitchen produces is essential when selecting your grease trap. At Aqua Mundus, we provide a sizing tool to help you work out the most appropriate grease trap for your premises. It can also save you money on maintenance and emptying costs on an ongoing basis.
3)How big is your kitchen?
The grease trap you choose should reflect the type and size of kitchen in your food service establishment. If space comes at a premium, you may want to consider having your grease trap installed below ground or in a basement/plant room. SIZE MATTERS! If you opt for a grease trap that far exceeds your requirements it can mean you’re literally putting money down the drain, but if you choose one that is too small, it might be ineffective and you will increase the amount of maintenance it requires and as a result, ongoing running costs.
4)How hands-on do you want to be with your grease trap?
Grease traps can be passive, manual or automatic depending on your specific requirements. Do you or your colleagues want to empty it or would you prefer a contractor such as Aqua Mundus to service it for you? Do your premises have access for a tanker to empty the grease trap, if that’s required? If you want a low maintenance grease trap you could consider a fully automated Grease Removal Unit that only requires two minutes of daily maintenance.
5)Durability – The quality of the product
The phrase buy cheap buy twice is definitely a factor in this industry. When selecting which grease trap to install, it’s advisable to choose an industry recommended brand. If you do this then your grease trap will usually be installed with a guarantee on the parts, labour and construction. Some units are installed with three years warranty, giving you the peace of mind that comes from knowing your grease management is taken care of.
Aqua Mundus is one of the UK’s leading independent grease management installation and service providers and works with numerous product manufacturers. The team handles installation, commissioning and servicing requirements on the complete range of grease management systems ranging from large EN1825 grease separators to small grease traps.
For individual, project-specific guidance on grease trap specification, call us on 01386 832205
Click here to use our online grease trap sizing calculator for BS EN 1825 & PDI 101
