Quick Answer: Restaurant grease traps need pumping every 1-3 months, depending on usage. Failure to maintain them results in backed-up kitchens, code violations, $500-2,000 fines, and closed-for-repairs downtime. Proper maintenance costs $500-1,000/year and prevents $50,000+ in emergency repairs.
You've got a busy lunch service. The kitchen drain backs up. Grease pools around prep stations. Suddenly, your restaurant is closed during peak hours, health inspectors are getting called, and you're looking at thousands in emergency repairs. This scenario plays out weekly for restaurant managers who neglect grease trap maintenance.
Why Restaurants Are Different: The Grease Trap Reality
Most homes have simple drains. Restaurants have grease traps: underground tanks designed to separate grease and solids from water before the wastewater enters the city system. Without them, restaurant grease would clog city sewer lines, affecting entire neighborhoods.
But here's the catch: those grease traps need management. They're not "install and forget." They're active systems that need regular maintenance.
How Restaurant Grease Traps Work
Water from the kitchen drains into an underground tank. Inside, three things happen:
- Grease and oils float to the top and solidify as they cool
- Food solids sink to the bottom as sludge
- Clean water flows out the center into the main sewer line
Theory: simple. Reality: the tank fills with grease, the trap clogs, and suddenly the kitchen has nowhere to drain.
Recommended Pumping Schedule
| Restaurant Type | Kitchen Load | Pumping Frequency |
|---|---|---|
| Casual Café (salads, soups) | Low grease | Every 3 months |
| Italian, Asian (moderate cooking) | Moderate | Every 2 months |
| Steakhouse, Burger Joint | High grease | Every 4-6 weeks |
| Fried Chicken, Fryer-Heavy | Very high | Every 2-3 weeks |
Rule of thumb: Grease trap should be pumped when 25% full. Most traps require monitoring every 1-2 weeks to check fullness.
What Happens If You Skip Pumping
Week 1-2 After Skipping:
- Kitchen drains slow down
- Water pools around drain lines
- Grease smell in kitchen becomes noticeable
Week 3-4:
- Complete backup in kitchen area
- Sewage smell apparent to staff and customers
- Potential health code complaint
Week 5+:
- Health inspector visits (automatic violation)
- City issues notice of non-compliance
- $500-2,000 fine possible
- Mandatory emergency pumping (premium price: $2,000-4,000)
- Potential restaurant closure until fixed
Signs Your Grease Trap Needs Immediate Attention
Call immediately if you notice:
- Gurgling sounds from drains during peak service
- Water backing up at multiple kitchen drains
- Visible grease on kitchen floor
- Sewage smell around drain areas
- Slow drainage that worsens throughout the shift
Best Practices for Grease Trap Management
1. Schedule Regular Pumping Before Problems Start
Mark the calendar. Set it and forget it. Call your service provider on schedule—not when drains back up.
2. Train Kitchen Staff on Proper Disposal
Staff should know:
- Never pour liquid grease directly into drains
- Scrape fryers into grease containers before cleaning
- Report slow drains immediately
- Don't try to "unclog" using chemicals
3. Inspect the Trap Every 1-2 Weeks
Quick visual check: Is grease level rising? Smell noticeable? Call for pumping before it becomes a crisis.
4. Keep Documentation
Save pump receipts and service records. Health inspectors want proof of compliance. It's also your liability protection.
5. Use Enzyme Treatments Carefully
Some restaurant products claim to reduce grease buildup. They can help—but don't replace regular pumping. Use as a supplement, not a substitute.
The Cost Equation: Maintenance vs. Emergency
- Regular pumping: $200-400 per service, 6-12x per year = $1,200-4,800/year
- Emergency pumping: $2,000-4,000 per call (weekend/holiday surcharge 2x)
- Health violation fine: $500-2,000
- Hourly revenue lost during closure: $500-2,000+ depending on restaurant
The math is simple: spend $1,500/year on maintenance or risk $10,000+ emergencies. Most restaurant managers choose maintenance.
Professional Grease Trap Service in Denver
We serve Denver restaurants with scheduled grease trap pumping, inspections, and emergency service. We understand that your kitchen can't be down during service hours.
Call (720) 500-6955 to set up a maintenance schedule or for same-day emergency grease trap service.