Grease traps vs. oil separators and their uses

Grease and oil that enter the sewers can create major problems including pest infestations, blockages and a terrible stench. Grease traps and oil separators are two very different pieces of equipment used to prevent these problems from occurring. Here are the uses for grease traps and oil separators and the differences between the two:

Grease traps

Grease traps come in all materials and sizes. These traps are positioned between the drain and the sewerage system, reducing the amount of grease entering the sewers. They work by slowing the flow of water through the drainpipes. This gives the fats, oils and other grease time to harden and settle. The trap will then be able to catch these solid particles and allow the ‘clean water’ to flow into the sewers. Grease traps can only hold a small amount of water and are most suitable for residential buildings and small commercial businesses.

Oil separators

There are a few different types of oil separators, each with a different method of removing oils from wastewater. The oil separation method used by the most common oil separator is to skim the surface water where the hot oil sits and push it into a waste container. The rest of the water is then left to flow into the sewers. Not only is the method of oil removal different to that of grease traps, but the volume at which the task can be completed is much larger. Oil separators can hold a lot more water than grease traps, making them ideal for the restau