Running a restaurant or any food service business comes with many responsibilities—including proper grease trap maintenance. Failing to clean your grease trap regularly can result in costly repairs, foul odours, and health code violations.

So, how often should you clean your grease trap? This guide outlines the best cleaning schedule for local businesses, including restaurants, cafes, and commercial kitchens.

Why Regular Grease Trap Cleaning Is Essential

A grease trap captures fats, oils, and grease (FOG) from wastewater, preventing clogs and damage to plumbing and municipal sewer systems. Over time, grease traps fill up, reducing their effectiveness and leading to:

  • Slow drainage
  • Foul odours
  • Overflow and backups
  • Health code fines and environmental penalties

Regular grease trap cleaning helps you stay compliant and avoid operational headaches.

Factors That Determine Grease Trap Cleaning Frequency

1. Size of the Grease Trap

  • Small grease traps (10–50 gallons): Clean every 1–2 weeks
  • Large grease traps (100+ gallons): Clean every 1–3 months

2. Volume of Grease Produced

  • High-grease businesses (e.g., fast food restaurants): Frequent cleaning required
  • Low-grease businesses (e.g., bakeries, coffee shops): Less frequent cleaning

3. Local Regulations

Municipalities often mandate cleaning schedules (e.g., monthly or quarterly). Check your local by-laws.
See Banff Grease Trap Bylaws for more details.

4. The 25% Rule

If your trap is more than 25% full of grease and solids, it’s time to clean. Waiting beyond this threshold increases the risk of blockages.

Recommended Grease Trap Cleaning Schedule

  • High-volume restaurants: Every 1–2 weeks
  • Medium-volume food businesses: Monthly
  • Low-volume establishments: Every 2–3 months
  • As required by regulation: Follow your city’s bylaws

Signs You Need Immediate Grease Trap Cleaning

Watch for these warning signs:

  • Slow or clogged drainage
  • Strong, rancid odours near sinks or drains
  • Visible grease in the trap’s outlet
  • Customer or staff complaints about bad smells

Best Practices for Maintaining a Clean Grease Trap

  • Scrape dishes before rinsing to reduce FOG going down the drain
  • Use enzyme treatments (if allowed locally) to break down grease
  • Log maintenance to track compliance and performance
  • Hire professionals for thorough cleaning and disposal

Need a trusted local service? Contact our grease trap service team for expert grease trap cleaning.

FAQ: Grease Trap Cleaning

Q: What happens if you don’t clean your grease trap?
A: Grease builds up, causing clogs, odours, backups, and possible health code violations.

Q: Can I clean a grease trap myself?
A: Small under-sink traps can be DIY-cleaned, but larger systems should be cleaned by licensed professionals.

Q: How do I know if my grease trap is 25% full?
A: Use a probe or call a professional for an inspection. Many services offer monitoring as part of a maintenance plan.

Staying on top of your grease trap cleaning schedule keeps your business compliant, efficient, and free of unpleasant surprises. Frequency depends on your grease output, trap size, and local regulations.

Establish a regular routine—and when in doubt, call in the pros.