The key factor of a clean kitchen, drains, and grease trap is staff training and staff procedures. We cannot convey this message any stronger. With today's environmental standards and green initiatives new kitchen ways and procedures must continually evolve. This is a perpetual  process. The food recycling bin is a  new device to the public as well as to the restaurant business. The recycling of  wine bottles is a relatively new initiative that has been in legislation since February 2007. In the last decade  waste vegetable oil was an expense to the restaurant owner. The grease and waste vegetable oil was collected by pig farmers at a cost.

A sanitary and clean working environment  will work wonders for the restaurant as well as the staff.

A standard grease trap should be checked and cleaned monthly to ensure proper performance.  Odours and drainage problems are clear signs that a grease trap is full or not functioning correctly. The most obvious problem is drain backups. This is very typical of food solids combined with grease blockages in the pipes. We highly suggest that a trained professional clean and pump your grease trap. Grease trap pumping is a plumber's job.

Dishes and Utensil Cleaning
All dishes and kitchen utensils should be wiped off before they are put into the dishwasher. Refrain from using the faucet as a broom. Liquid waste (gravy, syrups, batter) should be poured in to the food recycling bin.  A common drain blocking problem is large food solids being rinsed off plates as opposed to wiped
off into the food recycling bin. Dishwashers claim that this procedure slows down their work process. The cost to have a plumber in to fix the blockage far outweighs the necessary time taken to wipe off the dishes.

Flour is another major cause of drain blockages. The simplest glue is that made from a paste of flour and water.

Drain and Grease Trap Procedures
 Train kitchen staff on the location, purpose, function, and proper maintenance of grease traps on a quarterly basis.

Ensure that grease trap maintenance is conducted on a regular schedule and is written into policies and procedures for the facility.

Grease trap / Interceptor pump out schedules should be established and strictly followed. A standard grease trap should be pumped out monthly. Most restaurants do not follow this timetable. A typical restaurant will maintain the grease trap when the trap odors are unbearable or a drain blockage occurs. Grease trap leaking is the most common reason to replace a grease trap.

Continuously running hot water and applying Drano are band aid solution to unclogging drains. The heated, liquefied grease will be flushed down into the sanitary sewer. While hot flushing may divert the need for pumping, it will create a blockage downstream causing the grease trap to overflow. Cities have begun monitoring the grease flows from restaurants and food processing facilities. City fines range from $5000 to $50,000. This may lead to your restaurant being closed until the situation is rectified.

 Counter Tops and Food Preparation Areas
 All food solids and liquid waste must be wiped thoroughly and
dumped into the food recycling bin.

 Mopping and Mop Buckets
 Restaurant mops and buckets also contain food solids as well as grease. Another common cause to standard grease trap and drain clogging is the dumping of mop buckets into the drain. Never pour 
mop water or other waste water onto pavement or in ditches.

 Prevent Food Solids and Liquid Food from
entering the Sanitary Sewers

 Remember To:

	Scrape food from plates and utensils into the food recycling bin before washing.
	Place liquid foods such as dairy products, milkshakes, syrups, condiments, batters, and gravy into the food recycling bin.
	Deposit spent fryer oil or cooking grease into the grease recycling bin.

Would you consider pouring grease and food solids directly into your local lakes, streams and rivers?  There is no difference.

                           Always Reduce, Reuse, and Recycle                     

Email us your Restaurant logo and we will customize your kitchen poster