In order for a grease trap system to work properly, it requires regular cleaning.  You could use a professional contractor to do this job for you, or you could save your business some money by tackling the task yourself if you have a small grease trap.  Here's a guide on how to clean out your grease trap.

What you'll need

• pry bar
• notebook and pencil
• Environment Agency FOG report
• measuring stick
• small bucket
• scoop
• rubbish bags
• washing-up liquid
• steel wool

How to do it

1. The first thing to do is prise the lid off the grease trap, taking care not to damage the gaskets located under the trap cover.  
2. Your next job is to take the trap apart so that you can clean it.  It's helpful to make a diagram of the trap, so that you have something to guide you when it comes to reassembling it.  Lay out each individual piece of the trap on some old newspaper ready for cleaning later in the process.  
3. To comply with Environmental Protection Agency rules, you'll need to make a note of the amount of grease that is in the trap in a pump out (FOG) report.  To do this, place a measuring stick into the trap, right to the bottom, and make a note of the line left on the stick by the oil.  
4. Use a small bucket to decant any standing water into the trap's tank.  This can be drained away later, once the grease has been removed.  
5. Remove all solid waste from the trap using a scoop, and put the debris into a rubbish bag.  Don't forget to scrape down the lid and sides of the trap to get rid of any clinging fat.  
6. Now you can clean the grease trap and all its incumbent parts using washing-up liquid, warm water, and a ball of steel wool.  When you've finished, flush the whole thing through with clean water.  
7. Put the trap's internal workings back together using your notes for guidance, and then replace the lid.  
8. Don't forget to send of the FOG report to the relevant address that will be clearly indicated on the bottom of the form.

In conclusion

You can save your business some money by following the above guidelines and cleaning out a small grease trap yourself.  If your grease trap is very large or has not been cleaned out for a long time, you might be best to employ a qualified contractor to do the job for you.