Passive Vs Automated Grease Trap Cleaning: The Differences Explained

Grease traps are an indispensable part of commercial kitchens, as they help prevent fats, oils, and grease (FOG) from flowing into the drains. This steers clear of clogging issues, and also helps restaurants stay compliant with county-wide wastewater management practices.

Both passive and automated grease traps are widely used across commercial kitchens in Dublin. However, the cleaning process of these traps differs substantially!

In this blog, we’ll examine the different approaches that we at Greaseco, as a professional grease trap cleaning service, take to cleaning passive and automated grease traps.

Passive Grease Trap Cleaning

Passive or manual grease traps are generally large in size. It uses gravity to separate FOG from wastewater and requires frequent manual cleaning to stay in a workable condition.

Here’s how we carry out the process of cleaning a passive grease trap-

• FOG removal

The very first thing we focus on is skimming out the FOG layer. This is just the initial phase of cleaning, which involves scooping the bulk layer of accumulated wastes and preparing the trap for further cleaning.

• Wastewater disposal

Next, it’s time to remove the remaining wastewater. We generally make use of vacuum pumps to flush out the remaining wastewater from the trap.

• Thorough cleaning

Finally, we use a scraper tool to thoroughly clean the walls of the unit. This effectively removes every inch of FOG from the trap and helps maintain the long-term functionality of the unit.

Automated Grease Trap Cleaning

Automated grease traps in Ireland require much less frequent cleaning than their manual counterparts. These units are smarter and come integrated with automatic skimmers that help remove the FOG at frequent intervals. The collected FOG is then deposited into a container. This makes the arduous process of FOG disposal convenient and easy!

However, they still do require some maintenance from our end to retain their long-term functioning capabilities! Here’s what the maintenance process looks like-

• Regular inspections of mechanical components

We inspect every mechanical component, from the automated skimming mechanism, to motors, and sensors to check for damages or corrosion. Along with that, we also check the electrical connections and wiring for any signs of wear and tear.

• Checking the structural integrity of the unit

We don’t just inspect the mechanical components! We also cross-examine the whole structure of the unit, including the lids and seals to ensure that there are no leaks or cracks.

• Cleaning the collection container

The unit might skim FOG automatically, but the disposal still remains a manual endeavour! So, we help to properly dispose the collected FOG and also perform a thorough cleaning of the container to prevent odours or buildup.

Here’s a list of advanced equipment that we use to efficiently clean commercial grease trap units and ensure optimal functioning.

The 25% Rule- A Major Life Saver!

We at Greaseco are one of the reputed grease trap cleaning companies, adhering to the 25% rule strictly. What does it say?

Well, the ‘25% rule’ is a guideline, that states that a grease trap, irrespective of whether it is a passive or automated one, should be cleaned the moment when 25% of its capacity is occupied by FOG and solid residue. Here are the reasons why-

• Decreased efficiency

As the rule of thumb goes, grease traps that are filled beyond their 25% capacity, lose their efficacy in separating FOG from wastewater.

• Adherence to regulatory compliance

Many local regulatory bodies in Ireland require commercial kitchens to stick to this rule to help prevent sewer blockages.

To Conclude

While choosing the right grease trap is essential to keep your commercial kitchen in a pristine condition, regular maintenance is mandatory to ensure that the units perform optimally for a longer period.

And that’s why you should always hire professional grease trap installation and cleaning services like us at Greaseco to avail reliable maintenance services, and ultimate peace of mind! Click here to avail our services today!