What Is a Grease Trap and Why Does It Matter?
A grease trap (also called a grease interceptor) is a device installed in commercial kitchen drain lines to intercept fats, oils and grease (FOG) before they enter the public sewer system. In Hong Kong, restaurants and food premises are required to have functioning grease traps under Food and Environmental Hygiene Department (FEHD) regulations.
Without a properly maintained grease trap, grease solidifies inside drain pipes, causing blockages, sewage backups, and potential health code violations. In severe cases, blocked grease traps force restaurants to close during service hours.
FEHD Grease Trap Requirements in Hong Kong
The Food and Environmental Hygiene Department requires all food premises holding a restaurant licence or light refreshment shop licence to install and maintain grease traps. Key requirements include:
| Requirement | Details |
|---|---|
| Installation | Grease trap must be installed on all kitchen wastewater discharge lines before connection to the public sewer |
| Size | Must be appropriately sized for the volume of the kitchen — typically based on number of sinks and cooking equipment |
| Maintenance | Must be regularly cleaned and maintained to remain functional |
| Records | FEHD inspectors can request maintenance records during routine inspections |
| Disposal | Extracted grease must be disposed of properly — not poured back into drains |
How Often Should a Grease Trap Be Cleaned?
Cleaning frequency depends on the volume of cooking and the size of the grease trap:
| Kitchen Type | Recommended Frequency | Typical Cost |
|---|---|---|
| High-volume restaurant (wok kitchen, busy dinner service) | Monthly | HKD 800–1,500/visit |
| Standard restaurant | Every 2–3 months | HKD 800–1,200/visit |
| Cafe / light refreshment shop | Every 3–6 months | HKD 800–1,000/visit |
| Chain restaurants (multiple outlets) | Monthly + quarterly deep clean | Volume discounts available |
Signs Your Grease Trap Needs Cleaning
- Slow-draining sinks: Grease build-up is restricting flow
- Foul smell from floor drains: Decomposing grease and food waste
- Greasy water visible in the trap: The trap is at capacity
- Sewage backing up: Emergency — call immediately
- Drain flies or pests near drains: Organic build-up attracting insects
What Happens If You Don't Comply?
Failure to maintain a grease trap can result in:
- FEHD warnings and fines — inspectors can issue improvement notices during routine checks
- Drain blockage and kitchen closure — a blocked grease trap will eventually back up into the kitchen
- Sewage overflow — health hazard that can lead to licence review
- Pipe damage — hardened grease in pipes may require expensive replacement
- Neighbour complaints — sewage overflowing into adjacent premises
Professional Grease Trap Cleaning — What's Included
DrainFix HK provides professional grease trap cleaning for Hong Kong restaurants:
- High-pressure jetting — breaks through hardened grease layers
- Sump pit clearing — removes food waste, debris and sludge
- Photo documentation — before/after photos for your maintenance records
- On-site water re-test — confirms water flows freely before we leave
- Receipts and invoices — for FEHD inspection compliance
Cost of Grease Trap Cleaning in Hong Kong
| Service | Typical Price |
|---|---|
| Standard grease trap cleaning | From HKD 800 |
| Heavy grease / large trap | HKD 1,000–1,500 |
| Sump pit clearing | HKD 800–1,200 |
| High-pressure jetting (severe blockage) | HKD 2,300–2,800 |
| Monthly maintenance contract | Discounted rate, fixed schedule |
All prices confirmed in writing via WhatsApp before dispatch. No on-site markups.
Why Restaurants Choose DrainFix HK
- We arrive within 1 hour for emergency grease trap overflow
- We finish before lunch service starts — your kitchen stays operational
- Photo documentation provided for FEHD compliance
- Monthly contracts available with Net 30 AP for corporate
- We clean back alleys and hard-to-reach grease traps that others can't
If your grease trap is overflowing and your kitchen can't operate, WhatsApp us now. We typically arrive within 1 hour and get your kitchen running before the next service.