How often should a commercial grease trap be cleaned?
The short answer: every 1–3 months, depending on your kitchen's volume and your local municipality's FOG regulations.
The industry standard is the 25% rule — your grease trap should be pumped and cleaned when fats, oils, and grease fill 25% of the trap's total capacity. Once a trap exceeds 25% FOG, it can no longer effectively separate grease from wastewater, which means FOG starts flowing into the municipal sewer system.
| Kitchen Type | Typical Cleaning Frequency |
|---|---|
| High-Volume (fast food, 24-hour diners) | Monthly |
| Moderate-Volume (full-service restaurants) | Every 6–8 weeks |
| Low-Volume (cafes, small kitchens) | Quarterly |
| Large Outdoor Interceptors | Every 1–3 months depending on size |
What is FOG compliance and why does it matter?
FOG stands for Fats, Oils, and Grease. Every municipality with a sewer system has a FOG program that regulates how commercial kitchens manage grease waste. FOG compliance typically requires:
- A properly sized grease trap or interceptor
- Regular cleaning on a documented schedule
- Waste hauler manifests for every pumping
- Cleaning records available for inspection
Municipalities enforce FOG regulations because grease in sewer lines causes blockages, overflows, and expensive infrastructure damage. Fines for non-compliance range from $1,000 to $10,000+ depending on jurisdiction.
What is the difference between a grease trap and a grease interceptor?
Grease traps are smaller units (typically 20–50 gallons) installed under sinks or near dishwashers inside the kitchen. They need more frequent cleaning — often monthly or bi-monthly.
Grease interceptors are larger underground units (500–2,000+ gallons) installed outside the building. They handle higher flow volumes and typically need cleaning every 1–3 months depending on size and kitchen output.
Pro Kitchen Services cleans both indoor grease traps and outdoor grease interceptors.
What happens if you don't clean your grease trap?
Neglecting grease trap maintenance creates serious problems:
- **Sewer backups** — FOG builds up and blocks drain lines, causing wastewater to back up into your kitchen
- **Foul odors** — decomposing grease produces hydrogen sulfide gas
- **Health code violations** — inspectors check grease trap maintenance records
- **Municipal fines** — $1,000–$10,000+ for FOG violations
- **Emergency plumbing costs** — clearing a grease-blocked sewer line is expensive
- **Potential closure** — repeated violations can result in forced shutdown
How much does grease trap cleaning cost?
| Trap Type | Typical Cost |
|---|---|
| Indoor grease trap (20–50 gal) | $150–$300 |
| Indoor grease trap (50–100 gal) | $250–$500 |
| Outdoor interceptor (500–1,000 gal) | $300–$600 |
| Outdoor interceptor (1,000–2,000 gal) | $500–$800 |
| Large interceptor (2,000+ gal) | $800+ |
Prices vary by location, FOG accumulation level, and access difficulty. Pro Kitchen Services provides free quotes — call (888) 555-HOOD.
Can you bundle grease trap cleaning with hood cleaning?
Yes. Many of our clients schedule hood cleaning and grease trap cleaning on the same visit. This saves time, reduces disruption, and ensures complete kitchen compliance in one service call.
Pro Kitchen Services provides commercial grease trap cleaning in [50+ cities](/locations/) across the United States. Every service includes waste hauler manifests and FOG compliance documentation. [Get a free quote](/contact/) or call (888) 555-HOOD.
