Mahoney Environmental offers grease trap cleaning services for restaurants and businesses with food facilities throughout the Unites States. To learn more about it call (800) 892-9392 and speak with one of our experienced specialists.
Most commercial kitchens, whether they are located within a restaurant, hotel, airport, church, or hospital, are centered around one important ingredient, cooking oil. Cooking oil is used in the fryers, on stove tops, and in other aspects of commercial food preparation. In fact, many commercial kitchens cannot function without fresh cooking oil on hand.
When commercial kitchens use cooking oil for food preparation, the oil must be handled properly both before and after use. Fresh cooking oil needs to be stored in the proper containers and it helps if an establishment has a cooking oil handling system in place that allows the oil to be transferred easily from storage to the fryers.
Proper handling of the used cooking oil is also important because it must be stored and disposed of properly to protect the natural environment. Used fats, oils, and grease (FOG) cannot be washed down the drain with wastewater and should be picked up by a licensed professional for processing and recycling.
Mishandling fresh and used cooking oil can create a dangerous and unsanitary working environment in your kitchen and threaten the natural environment. Spilled or leaking cooking oil increases the risk of slips and falls and if your establishment does not have the proper equipment to handle cooking oil, employees are also at risk for burns from hot oil. Cooking oil disposal systems that include grease traps are also a must in commercial kitchens to keep oil and grease from entering the sewer system with wastewater.
It is very important for commercial kitchens to keep the cooking oil and grease under control not only for the safety of their employees and the environment, but also because it is required by law. Keeping control of your fats, oils, and grease will help your establishment avoid the following:
- Fines from local authorities for violating ordinances on the handling of cooking oil
- A history of violations that can lead to more testing requirements
- Bills for repairs to the sewer system caused by your fats, oils, and grease
- Raw sewage backups
- Lawsuits from employees and nearby businesses affected by sewage problems caused by your mishandling of grease and oils
- Emergency shutdowns and repair bills that could hurt your revenue
The following tips will help you keep the fats, oils, and grease under control in your commercial kitchen.
Clean and Maintain Your Grease Traps
Grease traps are very important pieces of equipment because they prevent used cooking oil and grease from washing down the drain and into the local sewer system. When these grease traps become full, they need to be cleaned out or they will not be able to properly filter the grease and oils. It is also important for grease traps to be regularly maintained and repaired right away if there is a problem.
If the grease traps in your kitchen are small enough, you can clean them out regularly yourself. You should call a professional if you have large grease traps that need cleaning or if there is a problem with the traps that needs to be repaired.
Keep the Grease in Sinks and Dishwashers to a Minimum
One way to reduce the stress on your grease traps is to limit the amount of grease and oil going through your sinks and dishwashers. Remind your employees to avoid putting grease and oils in the sinks by posting “No Grease” signs.
Save Used Cooking Oil for Recycling
Used cooking oil can be processed for recyclingand converted for other uses such as renewable fuelMake sure all the used cooking oil and grease is saved in the proper storage containers for recycling. Professionals such as Mahoney Environmental will collect your used cooking oil and transport it to a recycling plant.
Wipe Grease and Oil from Dishes
Before cleaning dishes, pots, and pans, wipe off the leftover grease and oils. This will reduce the amount of oil going through your plumbing system which will prevent plumbing problems and issues with the grease traps.
Install In-Sink Strainers
In-sink strainers are an easy way to filter the grease and oil from running down the drain. They are very easy to install and clean.
Dispose of Food Waste with Solid Waste
When you wipe leftover grease and oil from a plate or pan, make sure the oil-soaked paper towels are disposed of with solid waste in the garbage can.
Store Grease and Oil in the Proper Containers
Every commercial kitchen should be fitted with the proper equipment to store fresh and used cooking oil. Pouring used cooking oil down a drain of any type can get your business in legal trouble.
Regularly Clean Kitchen Exhaust Filters
It is possible for grease and oils to accumulate in the exhaust filters of some kitchens. When this happens, the grease and oils can get on the exterior of the building, increasing the risk of a fire or being washed into the sewer system when it rains. If this happens in your kitchen, clean your exhaust filters regularly.
Secure Outdoor Oil Storage Containers
If your used cooking oil is stored in outdoor containers, make sure they are properly secured. These containers should be locked and kept away from wastewater systems. This helps prevent the grease and oils from entering the natural environment and protects against thieves who may try to steal and sell your used oil and grease.
Keep the Floors Clean
Any grease or oil on the floor will make it slippery which increases the risk of a workplace accident. Make sure the floors in your kitchen are cleaned regularly. Use cleaning products that effectively remove grease.
Train Your Employees
Proper handling of fresh and used cooking oil and grease is extremely important. Your employees should be trained on the proper handling of these materials as well as how to use your establishment’s cooking oil equipment to minimize the risk of accidents.
Cooking Oil Services from Mahoney Environmental
Properly handling and storage of fats, oils, and grease will protect your employees from unsafe working conditions, protect your business from fines for violations, and protect the natural environment by keeping grease and oils out of the sewer system. The best way to ensure the proper handling of cooking oil and grease is to have the right equipment in place and work with a professional that can deliver and collect cooking oil as well as service the equipment.
Mahony Environmental provides complete cooking oil services including delivery and pickup, cooking oil system installation and design, and grease trap cleaning and maintenance. Our professionals work with food service businesses across the U.S. to help them properly handle their cooking oil and pickup used cooking oil to be recycled at our recycling plants.
Call Us Now (800) 892-9392