Why You Shouldn't Clean Your Own Grease Traps and the Benefits of Hiring Professional Grease Trap Cleaners

What’s Wrong With DIY Grease Trap Cleaning?

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DIY grease trap cleaning can be a temptation for many, whether you’ve looked at the price vs the self-labor and decided you wanted to cut out the middle man and learn, or you’ve been in the business long enough to think that it would be an easy enough task. And while some have success with DIY cleaning, the costs, risks, and losses don’t usually justify the DIY method when professional grease trap cleaners exist for your comfort, efficiency, and safety.

The Grease Just Keeps Coming Back

Since grease trap require regular, consistent cleaning to keep within regulatory compliance, the job is unfortunately not a one-and-done type. For the convenience and efficiency that come with regular, auto-scheduled grease trap cleaning services, it is well worth the responsibility to be taken out of your hands and into those of professionals so that you can spend your time doing all the jobs specific to your individual business that can’t be done by outside services, like grease trap cleaning can.

In addition to the economics of saved time, the grease has to go somewhere – and not just any old place, but the correct waste disposal plants. Do you have the time to do the proper research on correct disposal? Do you have the means to transport the waste?

If you’ve answered yes to all these considerations and if the time is available, then what’s the harm in DIYing it?

Serious Consequences for Small Mistakes

Well, the harm manifests in different ways that have effects ranging from venue-specific to city-wide. If cleaned incorrectly, grease traps have the high potential to smoke out your customers and your employees with rancid odors, putrid grease runoff, and contaminated plumbing that can run all the way to the city’s sewer system to collect and back-up – which, if traced back to your establishment, can incur some serious fines and consequences for damages and lack of regulation standards.

Not only does it have likely consequences for you personally, but you also run the risk of damaging the environment. Grease runoff into grass, soil, or waterways is non-soluble pollution that can throw ecosystems off and invite pests to breed in conditions that you unintentionally created.

Acquiring Long-Term Costs

After taking a look at professional cleaning processes, it might be a good time to look at the tools and materials you’d need to match the quality of a professional clean; with the high-end instruments they use because it’s their specialty, the question, then, becomes one of:

“Are you willing to sacrifice quality for small cost-cuts?”

If the answer is still yes, there are factors to consider about long-term costs that may arise with DIY cleaning, such as:

  • Money from Time-Loss
  • Proper Equipment Costs
  • Responsibility for Fines Incurred by Improper Cleaning
  • Transportation of Waste to the Proper Facilities
  • Equipment and Plumbing Damage
  • Spill Clean-Up
  • Safety Measures

All of these facets are included in professional grease trap cleaning, and with Moon Grease Trap Cleaning being locally owned and operated, you’d be contributing to small businesses of Louisville, as well, by allowing them to do their jobs so that your business can thrive.

The Unpleasant Reality

When it all comes down to it, grease trap cleaning is just not a pleasant job to do without the correct tools. It’s smelly, dirty, tedious, and the risk of toxic fumes and grease spills are not fun to have to consider.

Whether it’s you or your employees, DIY grease trap cleaning will always leave the job to someone who may not have known the undesirable task was included in their job description, and that’s not a surprise anyone wants to find sitting at the top of their to-do list, especially not when the process usually happens either before customers begin arriving or after everyone else has left for the day.

Professional grease trap cleaners?

Fortunately for any restaurant owner out there, regular grease trap cleaning is in our job description – anytime, anywhere, anyone. Moon Grease Trap Cleaning offers you a service that is fast, reliable, efficient, and convenient so that the dirty work is out of your hands and into those of our experts.

Ready to get started? Visit our website for a free estimate, or give us a call at 502-776-2199. We look forward to working with you! 

Own or Operate a Restaurant in St. Matthews, Kentucky?

Grease Trap Cleaning in St. Matthews, Kentucky

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If you live in Louisville, you may know of “St. Matthews” as a neighborhood, but it’s actually considered the 23rd largest city in Kentucky! With a population of over 17,000 and consistent rankings as one of the best places to live in the state, St. Matthews is anything but just a suburb of Louisville.

What makes St. Matthews so special? This flourishing community has the best of both commercial and residential fixings: the fifth largest mall in the state, huge shopping plazas, desirable homes, incredible parks, great restaurants, highly-rated schools, and year-round community activity. Being centrally-located and minutes away from major interstates such as I-64 and the Watterson Expressway, St. Matthews residents can access any part of the metro area in minutes. 

Where should I eat in St. Matthews?

One of St. Matthews’ most attractive qualities is its vast variety of good restaurants. While we can’t even begin to include every great spot on our list, here are a few of the top-rated eateries in the area, based on what you’re craving.

Love Cuban and Latin food? Check out Mojitos Tapas or Havana Rumba. These local-favorites have been around for years, offering live music as well as an incredible variety of food and drink.

Big fan of brunch? Try Wild Eggs, a popular local chain, Biscuit Belly’s incredible Southern-style biscuits, or Cheddar Box Too’s extensive breakfast, brunch, and lunch menu for some delicious fare. 

Enjoy Italian? Silvio’s Italian Restaurant, Porcini Italian, or Volare Italian Ristorante are all upscale and well-regarded Italian restaurants in the St. Matthews area.  

Vegetarian, vegan, or trying to eat healthier? Half-Peach Bakery and Cafe offers an entirely-vegan selection of desserts and healthy eats. In addition, Taziki’s offers a variety of homemade Mediterranean food and Nam Nam Cafe offers a wide selection of authentic, organic Vietnamese cuisine.

Have a sweet tooth? You can’t go wrong with The Comfy Cow, a local ice cream joint, the Homemade Ice Cream and Pie Kitchen, Graeter’s Ice Cream, Duck Donuts, or Nothing Bundt Cakes. 

Barbecue Connoisseur? You’re in luck! Mission BBQ is a consistent favorite with a cause, or try Momma’s Mustard, Pickles & BBQ for Kansas-style fare, or FABD Smokehouse for some of the best barrel smoked-meats in the city. 

Need something to “taco” ‘bout? Taco Luchador is an iconic local chain, in addition to MexA Tacos and Taco Choza.

How can Moon Grease Trap Cleaning help my restaurant?

As a locally-owned full-service company with over 30 years of experience, Moon Grease Trap Cleaning offers restaurants and food-industry organizations a variety of services, including routine grease trap cleaning and grease interceptor cleaning. We are passionate about disposing of waste in an environmentally-friendly manner and maintain complete records to make sure your grease trap is one less thing you have to worry about.

Our team of experts is ready to manage and schedule your restaurant grease trap service on a timely basis,. This ensures that you meet all required MSD regulations. Setting up a regular service schedule is recommended in order to avoid issues that can arise from clogged or congested pipelines leading to the main sewer line.

How does a grease trap cleaning work?

Once you’ve scheduled your grease trap service appointment, we’ll come to your location and pump your grease trap or grease trap interceptor using our top-of-the-line equipment, such as the PROvac unit. With the quick, quiet, and efficient PROVac unit, our service techs can easily maneuver through cramped kitchen areas, providing minimal business disruption. 

Where are grease traps located?

Our team is equipped to handle both interior and exterior grease traps. Most restaurant grease traps are located inside of the building and under a sink, ranging in size from 10 to 50 gallons. Grease traps are often used on a sink-by-sink basis, so each sink within an establishment typically has its own grease trap. Exterior grease traps are generally much larger, with capacities that can handle thousands of gallons of grease. Grease traps should be regularly serviced. Depending on the size and the amount of usage, we often recommend monthly servicing to avoid any technical issues or health code violations.

Own or Operate a Restaurant in St. Matthews, Kentucky?

If you work in the food business in the Louisville or Southern Indiana area, call the pros at Moon Grease Trap Cleaning! Visit our website for a free estimate, or give us a call at 502-776-2199. We look forward to working with you! 

 

 

Eat at these restaurants in Southern Indiana in 2022

Top Restaurants in Clarksville, Indiana: A 2022 Guide

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Did you know that Clarksville, Indiana is the home of the first Texas Roadhouse? Or that Clarksville has the 7th largest clock in the world, the Colgate Clock? Or that the largest exposed Devonian-era fossil bed happens to be in Clarksville? Or that the famous Lewis and Clark expedition supposedly began in Clarksville, with a handshake?

If you knew any of these facts, good job! Despite being right across the river from downtown Louisville, many people remain unaware of Clarksville’s unique attractions and fascinating history. With a population of barely 20,000 and small-town atmosphere, it’s easy to write-off Clarksville as merely a suburb of Louisville or New Albany. Of course, it’s anything but!

Highly-Rated Places to Eat in Clarksville, Indiana

What’s most underrated about Clarksville? Probably the town’s vibrant restaurant scene!

Food lovers, rejoice: Clarksville has dozens of highly-rated eateries to get your food-fix on at any time of day:

Love authentic seafood? Try Storming Crab’s “deliciously messy” Cajun eats! Their popular create-your-own combo includes a pound of your favorite seafood, whether it be lobster, scallop, mussel, king crab legs, crawfish, shrimp, or clam!

Craving a burger? Check out Bubba’s 33, a highly-rated sports bar featuring loveable American favorites like pizza, wings, sandwiches, and plenty of beer.

Want to see where it all began? Visit the original Texas Roadhouse, located at the Green Tree Mall. This beloved southwestern-themed chain steakhouse has racked up thousands of 5-star ratings at its Clarksville location.

Looking for a home-cooked meal? Try Cheddar’s Scratch Kitchen, a made-from-scratch eatery that has something for everyone: comfort food, burgers, ribs, gluten-free meals, specialty cocktails, decadent desserts, and salads. 

Sushi-lover? Pop into Kansai Japanese Steakhouse, home of the “best sushi in the area.” This fresh-made hibachi joint is known for its quality of service and craftsmanship. 

Seeking your local Elvis shrine? Visit Chuy’s, the iconic tex-mex chain known for its kitschy, eclectic decor and generous “big as yo’ face” burritos. Always-fresh food, hand-rolled tortillas, ten signature sauces, and dozens of yummy offerings always will put Chuy’s on the map.

Ready to get your greens in? Stop by Core Life Eatery, known for its delicious and healthy greens and grains bowls. We’re eyeing the Sweet Potato Buddha bowl, which features spinach, quinoa, black beans, chickpeas, red salsa, cotija, tortilla strips, and cilantro!

Want some theatre with that? Check out the Derby Dinner Playhouse, the only dinner-theatre in the region! Known for its incredible line-up of productions and savory traditional meals, the Derby Dinner Playhouse is a must-visit for locals and tourists alike!

Enjoy your pizza Chicago-style? Try Chicago City Pizza’s authentic deep-dish pizza. Don’t miss out on this cozy joint, located in the Green Tree Mall. Catch us drooling at the garlic parmesan breadsticks and cheese bread! 

Fan of an old-fashioned diner? Pay a visit to Golden Twist, a locally-owned ice cream shop and American eatery. Featuring dozens of desserts, an affordable daily lunch and dinner menu, homemade specials, and hot/cold sandwiches, you’ll feel like you’ve travelled back in time in the best way at this beloved local favorite!

Own or Operate a Restaurant in Clarksville, Indiana?

Call the pros at Moon Grease Trap Cleaning for all your grease trap needs! We offer monthly grease trap/grease trap interceptor cleaning and maintenance services. We’ve served the Louisville, Lexington, and Southern Indiana area for over 20 years and are seasoned experts at ensuring your location is in compliance with current regulations. 

We are passionate about disposing of material in an environmentally-friendly manner and maintain complete records to make sure your grease trap is one less thing you have to worry about. With our top-of-the-line PROVac machine, there’s no dragging big hoses or heavy equipment through your restaurant! Just give us a call at 502-776-2199. We look forward to working with you! 

 

What is FOG? Fats Oils Grease

What is FOG?

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FOG, or Fats, Oils, and Grease, refers to byproducts that are created during food preparation, cooking, dish cleaning, and grease cleaning. It has the potential to enter wastewater and clog up the sewer system. Let’s take a look at the science behind FOG and why it’s so important to prevent build-up.

What is FOG?

As mentioned above, FOG (Fats, Oil, and Grease) is a byproduct of cooking. Many types of food and food byproducts combine to form this byproduct in the cooking process, including meats, fish, nuts, dairy products, soups, and more. FOG is sometimes referred to as brown grease. Basically, it’s the greasy gunk that is left over after you are done cooking.

FOG is made up of fatty acids and glycerol. One example of a part of a FOG compound is triglycerides. Triglycerides are found in vegetable oils and animal fats. They can be either solid or liquid at room temperature, and are less dense than water, so they float in water. At a chemical level, this chemical compound is comprised of three fatty acids and one molecule of glycerol.

Settings where FOG can be an issue

Any setting where cooking happens can lead to a high amount of FOG. We might first think of restaurants when we think of FOG. Restaurants do create a lot of it in the process of producing their products. But, there are plenty of other sources too, like hospitals, community centers, bakeries, hotels, and more. These FOG-producing entities are collectively referred to as Food Service Establishments (FSE). As a collective, FSE are very significant contributors of FOG to sewer systems.

How it affects the sewer system

If FOG is not properly removed from wastewater, its presence can wreak havoc in sewer systems. Elements of it end up clogging sewer pipes through a series of complex chemical reactions when it enters the sewer system. Basically, it breaks down and reforms to combine with other chemicals present in sewers, leading to a buildup of soap-like compounds. These blockages reduce the flow of wastewater in sewers, and if left unaddressed can completely block outflows. This means sewers can overflow and plumbing can be blocked in commercial and residential settings.

Preventing blockages

The best way to prevent these blockages from becoming issues is to prevent FOG from entering sewer systems in the first place. This is where grease traps and grease interceptors come in handy at FSE. Grease traps and interceptors are systems that help remove FOG from wastewater before that water enters the sewer system. Check out our blog post on how these two systems work in more detail.

Grease traps and interceptors are crucial for public sewer systems, and as such there are a number of rules and regulations on their use for FSE. But, the specific regulations can vary by state and locality. Working with an experienced business like Moon Grease Trap Cleaning is a great way to stay up to date on regulations and maintain clean and safe grease traps and grease interceptors.

Schedule your next grease service by contacting Moon Grease Trap Cleaning at 502-776-2199. We are happy to answer any and all questions you may have.