How to keep fats, oils & grease (FOG) out of the sewer system
Do NOT pour fats, oils and grease down the drain!
- This is the most important thing you can do to prevent FOG from entering the sewer system.
- When poured down kitchen drains, they accumulate inside sewer pipes.
- As these substances build up, they restrict the flow in the pipe and can cause untreated wastewater to backup, resulting in high costs for cleanup and restoration.
- Thousands of dollars are spent on plumbing emergencies each year to deal with grease blockages and to pump out grease traps and interceptors.
How to reduce fats, oils & grease (FOG) in commercial kitchens
- Put oil and grease in covered containers.
- Scrape food scraps from dishes into garbage bags and dispose of them properly.
- Avoid using food disposals/grinders to make sure food scraps get put in the garbage instead.
- Remove oil and grease from dishes, pans, fryers and griddles. Remember to let it cool before skimming or scraping off excess grease.
- Rinse dishes with cold water before putting them into the dishwasher.
- Cover kitchen sinks with catch baskets and empty the baskets into the garbage on a regular basis.
- Cover floor drains with a fine screen and empty the screen into the garbage on a regular basis.