Grease traps can become very greasy, which is of course just a part of their purpose to extract grease but it is also important to make sure that the grease traps in a commercial kitchen are well maintained. They are used to trap grease which flows through the system via the wastewater from the kitchen. The water and grease become separated, leaving the grease behind to build up over time. Of course, eventually all of this grease is going to make things difficult and here’s why:
Grease in Detail
To truly understand how problematic grease can be, you need to be aware of its components. Essentially, grease is made up of thickeners, additives and lots and lots of oil! When grease and water are combined, the mixture does not settle very well. Because grease is far less dense than water, it usually rises to the surface, providing a top layer of substance above the water. In grease traps, the grease laden water travels through the trap and the grease rises to the surface. Grease traps have taken this into account, allowing the water to pass through the bottom of the trap, leaving only the grease behind as a result.
Different Grease Traps
Instead of having one grease trap that suits all, there are a variety of grease traps available. Manual grease traps are usually made from stainless steel. Wastewater travels through the grease trap’s inlet before reaching a removable strainer basket. This is not the most glamourous grease trap going and has gone a bit “out of fashion” due to its extensive maintenance requirements.
Automatic grease traps will trap food waste, fats and grease using an intricate skimming system. These are usually installed under sinks and are quite useful since they can be connected to sinks and combi ovens. They also require minimal maintenance, which makes them incredibly handy for the busy kitchen operator.
Grease Trap Maintenance
Despite the fact that grease traps are really useful, they do require some degree of maintenance. On the bright side, you don’t have to do all of the hard work yourself. You’re best option is to hire a professional Manchester Duct Cleaning company such as http://www.enviro-group.eu/. The amount of times your grease trap will require a good cleaning will depend on its specific use and how fast the grease builds up inside the trap.