What is the primary purpose of grease traps?

The primary purpose of grease traps is to collect grease and prevent clogging the drain. Grease traps are installed in plumbing systems, particularly in commercial kitchens, to trap fats, oils, and grease (FOG) present in wastewater before it can enter the main sewage system. When hot water containing grease flows through the pipes, the grease cools and solidifies as it enters the trap, reducing the amount of grease that can build up in the drain lines. This prevents blockages that could result in expensive plumbing issues and maintains the efficiency of the drainage system.

While collecting grease for reuse is a potential benefit in some contexts, it is not the primary function of the trap. Creating an air gap is unrelated, as this refers to preventing backflow in plumbing systems, and preventing fire is also secondary, since fire risk management is not the main focus of grease trap design.