What Grease Traps Actually Do
Every time a dish is rinsed, a pot is scrubbed, or a kitchen floor is squeegeed, fats, oils, and grease (FOG) enter your plumbing system. A grease trap—or grease interceptor—is a specialized plumbing device designed to intercept and capture these substances before they can reach the municipal sewer system. Because grease is lighter than water, the trap slows down the flow of hot wastewater, allowing it to cool. As the water cools, the fats and oils separate and float to the top, while heavy food solids sink to the bottom. The remaining clearer water then flows safely out into the city sewer lines.