Grease and fat accumulation in commercial kitchens often leads to blocked drains, unpleasant odours and unplanned callouts for drainage services. These issues disrupt operations and can result in financial penalties from water companies. Everyday kitchen practices, combined with technical systems and reliable equipment, help maintain a clean and efficient commercial environment. Whether you operate a local café or a large scale food manufacturing unit, applying best practice for grease control protects your equipment, your team and your reputation.
Used cooking oil serves as a valuable input for biodiesel production. Many UK commercial kitchens work with licensed waste contractors who collect and process waste oil to meet renewable energy targets. This supports net zero emissions objectives and may also provide a rebate.
An innovative approach gaining popularity is the use of modular FOG consolidation hubs. These allow multiple local food operators to deposit used grease into a centralised, chemical free processing container. Grease is then turned into clean biodiesel, reducing transport costs and landfill dependency.
Working with a licensed waste carrier ensures that your food business remains compliant with Environment Agency regulations and the Food Safety Act. Providers issue Waste Transfer Notes and help maintain accurate waste logs for hygiene inspections and BREEAM audits.
Large operators are also moving toward fully integrated grease management contracts. These services bundle oil collection, trap cleaning and documentation, offering better value and consistency across multiple sites.
Pro Tip: Always keep updated Waste Transfer Notes on file to stay compliant during inspections.
 Need a CCTV Drain Survey?
Get a full inspection and report with no digging required.
Enzymatic dosing systems such as GreasePak and SporActiv introduce live cultures into drainage infrastructure. These bacteria break down fats, oils and grease to reduce blockages and odours. This method is safe, non corrosive and effective in preventing FOG accumulation.
The BioCeptor unit integrates a passive grease separator with a biofluid dosing pump. Grease floats to the top and is trapped mechanically, while bioenzymatic fluid digests FOG before it hardens in the pipework. This combined method helps commercial kitchens stay below wastewater discharge limits.
Enzyme based dosing is quiet, automated and chemical free. It supports long term drainage system health and suits businesses seeking WRAS compliance. Bio solutions also reduce the frequency of manual trap cleanouts.
A growing number of operators are pairing enzyme dosing with quarterly high pressure hydro jetting to clean hard residue from internal pipework. This keeps older systems running efficiently and prevents emergency callouts.
Automated Grease Removal Units use internal skimmers to remove grease from wastewater before it reaches the sewer network. These units collect grease in a separate chamber, which staff can easily empty. This helps maintain a consistent grease management routine.
Grease sensors installed in traps monitor fill levels and provide instant notifications. This allows teams to act before a blockage occurs. Monitoring systems can connect with kitchen facility software to track compliance in real time.
Automated systems reduce the need for manual inspections and cleaning. They also generate downloadable service logs for audits by local environmental health officers or DEFRA regulators.
A real world example is the FiltaFOG Cyclone installed in high volume UK kitchens such as KFC and Greene King pubs. These units remove grease and flour while reducing power usage by up to 40 percent.
Pro Tip: Use bioenzymatic dosing overnight to let bacteria break down FOG with minimal disruption.
During cooking, grease laden vapour enters the extraction canopy and ductwork. If not filtered, this residue settles inside vents, reducing airflow and raising fire risk. Installing grease filtration improves both kitchen safety and air quality.
Turboswing filtration uses a rotating disk to capture airborne grease particles from cooking exhaust. This system removes particles as small as four microns, making it effective for high output equipment such as deep fat fryers, chargrills and griddles.
Using mechanical filters reduces build up in the extraction ducts, allowing fans to perform more efficiently. This lowers electricity use and extends service intervals for duct cleaning. It also supports fire safety compliance and ventilation hygiene ratings.
Upgrade to Smart Grease Trap Monitoring
Get notified before a blockage happens. Save time, money and stay ahead of inspections.ge septic system issues professionally.
Heat recovery units work by reclaiming thermal energy from filtered exhaust air and transferring it to incoming fresh air or water systems. This reduces the need for gas or electric heating and helps kitchens lower energy consumption.
When paired with high efficiency grease filters, heat recovery ventilation units maintain clean airflow pathways. These systems support compliance with TM50 building services guidelines and can assist in achieving ISO 14001 accreditation for energy performance.
Wastewater heat recovery is also now being tested in retrofit applications. Some new builds are placing recovery coils inside grease interceptors to reclaim heat before discharge.
Recycling heat from kitchen air reduces carbon emissions and lowers utility bills. These savings can be significant in sites with long operating hours or high cooking volumes. It also supports businesses applying for sustainability certifications or grants.
Managing fat, oil and grease is a practical necessity for every commercial kitchen. These steps protect your drains, reduce maintenance costs and support both environmental compliance and operational efficiency. Whether you begin with biological dosing or integrate automated traps and smart sensors, investing in effective grease management always pays off.
Need Help with Kitchen Grease Compliance?
Let us assess your current system and recommend cost-saving upgrades for legal compliance and better performance.
24hrs Drainage Limited
33 Falmouth Rd, Reading RG2 8QR
0800 020 9198
Opening Hours:
Monday – Sunday : Open and available 24 hours per day
Drain Services
Contact Us
If You’re Dealing With Blocked Drains Or Require Drain Repairs, You’ve Come To The Right Destination. Contact Our Team Today At 0800 0209198 For Professional Guidance And A Complimentary, No-Obligation Quote!
We are the premier providers of comprehensive drainage solutions in Reading and throughout Berkshire. With years of experience and a dedicated team of experts, we are your trusted partners for all your domestic and commercial drainage needs.
By subscribing, I agree for my data to be stored and used to receive newsand offers from 24hrs Drainage.
