You might have heard about grease traps before, but do you know the difference between passive and automatic ones? Let Hugo Plastics explain what passive grease traps are used for and how they can support your commercial kitchen.
Grease traps work to separate fats, oils and grease (FOG) from wastewater to ensure that the drains in commercial kitchens don’t get blocked up. They are a legal requirement by governments to ensure that the wastewater system in the city works well and doesn’t get impacted by the large amount of FOGs that restaurants, cafes and bars go through. There are essentially three different types of grease traps that are available in New Zealand: passive, automatic and grease converters. In this blog, we will focus on the standard passive grease trap, one of the most commonly used FOG removal units in the country.
Passive grease traps essentially work on a manual basis. These slow the wastewater down coming from a kitchen sink or any other wastewater outlet. The process allows the FOGs to cool down, gather at the top of the machine and fully separate from the wastewater, which is then let into the city’s sewer system. Over time, the grease trap fills up with FOGs and other food scraps and needs to be emptied out. This is usually done by a professional cleaning company and needs to be done regularly to ensure the machine works to its full potential.
The traps are generally installed outside of your commercial premise, which is preferred by local councils. Hugo Plastics’ grease traps comply with all New Zealand requirements and offer a high-performing and long-lasting solution for commercial kitchens across the country.
So how do these units compare to automatic ones?
Automatic grease traps perform the same process as passive ones; however, instead of collecting the FOGs inside the unit, they are preserved in a container outside the machine. There still may be a small amount within the unit, but much less than in a passive grease trap. Because these systems automatically transfer the FOGs outside, they do not require the regular professional clean; instead, the basket can just be emptied out.
Both types are environmentally friendly, as they work to eliminate the FOGs entering the city’s sewage systems. Professional grease cleaners usually dispose of the kitchen waste by recycling it into biodiesel or other environmentally friendly alternatives, making passive grease traps a more sustainable option.
They are also cheaper, and even though they aren’t as efficient as automatic ones, they are an excellent choice for any commercial kitchen. If you are wondering which type of grease trap to invest in, Hugo Plastics can help you explore the options available and select the most efficient one based on the size, location and capacity of your commercial business.
Get in touch with us today, if you would like to learn more about how these units can support your commercial kitchen and invest in the greatest performing ones to benefit your business!