FOG Program frequently asked questions
WHAT IS FOG?
FOG is a shorthand way of saying Fats, Oils, and Grease. They are natural by-products of cooking and food preparation.
Category: Fats Oils and Grease
WHAT ARE THE SOURCES OF FOG?
Common sources of FOG are meat fats, dairy products, food scraps, cooking oils, baked goods, sauces, dressings, sandwich spreads, gravies, marinades, shortening, lard, butter and margarine.
Category: Fats Oils and Grease
WHAT IS A GREASE TRAP?
A grease trap is a device that is installed inside the building or under the sink to separate
and retain grease and solid materials from the waste stream while allowing the balance
of the liquid waste to discharge to the wastewater collection system by gravity. Baffles in
the grease trap retain the wastewater long enough for the grease to congeal and rise to
the surface. Traps have a removable lid on the top surface to facilitate inspection and
cleaning.
Category: Fats Oils and Grease
WHO IS REQUIRED TO PRETREAT FOR FOG
Users shall be required to provide pre-treatment for FOG at all new, renovated, and reconstructed restaurants and foodservice establishments which may include truck stops and gas stations, and at all industrial, institutional (medical facilities or schools), or commercial enterprises when, in the opinion of the town, the facility has the potential to discharge FOG in concentrations deemed potentially detrimental to the sanitary sewers or sewage treatment plant.
Category: Fats Oils and Grease
WHAT IS A GREASE INTERCEPTOR?
The purpose of a grease interceptor is to catch and collect fats, oils, grease, and solids
(FOGS) from commercial and restaurant kitchens. As wastewater flows through a
kitchen’s plumbing (3-compartment sinks, prep sinks, mop sinks, dishwashers, floor
drains, etc.) into a grease interceptor, the FOGS are intercepted or filtered out into a large
underground holding tank. Once the grease interceptor reaches maximum capacity, a
certified grease trap cleaning company will need to be called to service the grease
interceptor.
Category: Fats Oils and Grease
WHY DO I HAVE A GREASE TRAP/GREASE INTERCEPTOR WHEN I DON’T “FRY” ANYTHING OR COOK WITH GREASE?
The reason you need a grease trap or grease interceptor is because of the clean-up, not
the cooking. When you wash your cooking equipment, hood, pots, pans, plates, dishes,
and utensils you are washing fats, oils, and grease (not to mention solids) in the building
drainage system. It’s the fats, oils, grease, and solids (foodstuffs) that damage plumbing
systems and the municipal sewer system.
Category: Fats Oils and Grease
CAN YOU RECOMMEND A MAINTENANCE SCHEDULE?
All grease interceptors should be cleaned at least four times each year. Some establishments will find it necessary to clean their interceptors once a month. Grease traps should be cleaned at least once a week. Some need to be cleaned daily. If an establishment has to clean a grease trap too often, the owner should consider installing an interceptor
Category: Fats Oils and Grease
WHAT IF I DON'T HAVE A GREASE TRAP?
New facilities will need to have a suitable grease removal device installed and functional before a
Certificate of Occupancy will be granted. Existing facilities that do not have a grease interceptor or
grease trap will need to install one if it is apparent that they discharge excessive amounts of grease.
Category: Fats Oils and Grease
FOR HOMEOWNERS. WHAT DO I DO WITH LEFTOVER COOKING GREASE?
Allow grease to cool down at a safe temperature and place it in a container with a lid, empty jars, milk jugs or “to go” coffee cups can be used. Once placed in container it can be discarded in the garbage. Excess grease can be absorbed with a paper towel and tossed into the garbage.
Category: Fats Oils and Grease
AS A HOMEOWNER WHAT CAN I DO TO REDUCE FOG IN MY SEWER?
The easiest way to solve the FOG problem and help prevent overflows of raw sewage is to keep FOG out of the sewer system by adopting different habits to minimize FOG sources in your home. The following are tips to do your part to reduce FOG in your sewer system:
- If oils or grease remain in the pan after cooking: Let it cool to a safe temperature and then pour or transfer it to a sealed, disposable container and place it in the trash. Never pour hot grease or oil into the trash or sink.
- Remove as much oil and grease from pots, pans and plates prior to washing them in the sink or putting in the dishwasher.
- If you wash dishes by hand, cold water will congeal FOG, making it less likely to build up in your home’s plumbing and sewer lateral.
- Dispose of old cosmetics, suntan lotions and other oily or greasy personal products in the trash.
- Never put fats or grease down the sink drains or into the toilet.
- Ignoring these easy steps could result in a grease blockage in your plumbing system, which can be expensive to remedy. Backed up or overflowing sinks and toilets are a possible result- which is messy, unsanitary, and could damage your home
Category: Fats Oils and Grease
