How To Clean A Grease Trap

If you wish to clean a grease trap as your next DIY task, use this step-by-step guide below.

How To Clean Out A Grease Trap

Gathering the necessary materials and equipment is undoubtedly the first priority for this task. For example, make sure the following items are on hand before starting to clean:

• Materials:
• Nasal obstruction device.
• Safety hand coverings.
• Full-body protective garment.
• Eye protection apparatus.
• Equipment:
• Multi-purpose wet and dry vacuum.
• Adjustable wrench or prying tool.
• Large serving spoon or dipper.
• Stainless steel cleaning brush.
• Supplies:
• Tempered water at moderate temperature.
• Cleansing liquid detergent.

Now let’s go step-by-step to thoroughly clean out your grease trap.

Step 1. Run Cool Water Through The System

• Put all your PPE on and then proceed to this initial step.
• Run cool water through your grease trap system.
• Allow the system to sit soaked for about 10 minutes.
• The debris will be much easier to remove afterward.

Step 2. Remove Grease Trap Lid

• Use caution as you remove the grease trap lid.
• Some of these lids could require the help of a crowbar or wrench to open.
• Other lids can be opened with ease.

Step 3. Get Rid Of All Oils, Fats, & Grease

• A ladle can be utilized to scoop off a layer of congealed FOG that’s floating atop the water.
• Use an air-tight container to store the collected FOG.
• Make sure to always then dispose of this properly.

Step 4. Use Wet/Dry Vac To Remove Debris

• Following the aforementioned removal, use the wet/dry vac to remove any remaining debris or water.
• All dishwashers and sinks must be turned off.
• This is done to prevent continuous filling during the process.

Step 5. Clean Every Component

• Next, it’s best to thoroughly clean the lid, walls, and baffles.
• Combine dish soap and warm water for this cleaning.
• A steel scrubber can take care of any remaining residue in the tank.
• Any foul odors should be removed, at this time.

Step 6. Flush Out Debris

• Dump a gallon of warm water down your drain.
• Do this to ultimately flush out any soap or remaining debris.
• A smooth flow of water will result from a successful cleaning process.

Step 7. Reinstall Lid & Batteries

• You can reinstall the baffles once the trap is entirely clean.
• Now cover the tank up with the lid.

How Can Range Hoods Help With Grease?

One of the primary benefits of installing a range hood above your cooking stove is that it eliminates gasses and pollutants. The blower inside the range hood creates suction that extracts the polluted air from the kitchen into the range hood.

In ductless models, filters capture the airborne grease particles before the purified air is circulated back to the house. For ducted hoods, the polluted air is channeled outside the house.