The Purpose of a Grease Trap
The Purpose of a Grease Trap Grease traps are often called interceptors and grease converters and they have one main purpose, to catch or intercept the grease and solid waste before they enter the wastewater in a septic or sewer system. These grease traps are metal or plastic tank fixtures, attached to plumbing systems, that contain pools of rotting food and waste. Fats, oils, and grease are lighter than water and float to the top of the tanks. Grease traps have been around since the 1880’s and the technology has remained almost the same since then. They have a tank that acts as a reservoir holding the wastewater and solids that enter the trap. As the wastewater cools, the fat, oil, and grease hardens, and allows the food solids to settle. These solids, being lighter than water, float to the top of the grease trap. The wastewater is forced through the grease trap and out to the septic or sewer system. The fat, oil, and grease remain in the tank increasing in volume fro