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Moon Grease Traps cleans out the leftover fats, oil, and grease from grease traps in food trucks and restaurants participating in food festivals near Louisville, KY.

Summer 2023: Food Festivals Near Louisville, KY You Won’t Want to Miss

Summertime has come upon us with heat and humidity, but also with plenty of heat from the food festivals around Louisville, KY. There are plenty of ways to spend the summer, and wandering around ordering tasty treats of all varieties is what we call a summer well spent. Check out our list below of 5 Food Festivals to attend near Louisville this summer!

1. 2023 Bluegrass VegFest

All about the veg! Join Kentucky’s coalition of vegan and vegetarian plant-based eaters, speakers, chefs, and more at the Bluegrass VegFest, located in the Clifton Heights neighborhood at the Mellwood Art Center. If you want to support sustainable, plant-based businesses, learn more about food, health, the planet, animals, and socially/eco-conscious companies while exploring local restaurants, beers, and food trucks, then the VegFest is for you! You can also bring your kids for a variety of children’s activities! Admission is free, but if you want to skip the lines and receive a festival tote bag with product samples and other goodies, you can purchase a VIP ticket that will get you in early at 11 am.

2023 VegFest Details:

DATE: July 15
TIME: Noon – 6 pm
ADDRESS: Mellwood Art Center
1860 Mellwood Avenue
Louisville, KY, 40206

2. Glier’s Goettafest

“Goetta” load of Glier’s Goettafest this July and August, taking place at Newport’s Festival Park at the Levee, just across the river from Cincinnati, OH! This delicious sausage creation containing meat, oats, and spices is featured in list of scrumptious dishes, including but certainly not limited to goetta loaded fries, goetta pizza, goetta brownies, goetta quesadillas, and more! Grab a bite to eat, enjoy the live music, and have fun at the game tents that will be around! This event is free and open to the public.

Glier’s Goettafest 2023 Details:

DATE: July 27-31 & August 4-7
TIME: Thursdays & Fridays: 5 pm – 11 pm | Saturdays: Noon – 11 pm | Sundays: Noon – 9 pm
ADDRESS: Newport on the Levee
1 Levee Way
Newport, KY 41071

3. Louisville Wine & Food Festival

Come experience The Louisville Wine & Food Festival, presented by USA TODAY this August 19th. This food fest offers locals and travelers alike an opportunity to explore the Louisville culinary scene, from local trends to regional traditions. Enjoy a gourmet showcase by local chefs, emerging talent, and nationally renowned culinary leaders while letting your tastebuds run wild at our very own Waterfront Park next to the Big 4 Bridge! Information regarding ticket will be released soon and can be found on the Louisville Downtown Partnership’s website!

2023 Louisville Wine and Food Festival Details:

DATE: August 19
TIME: 1 pm – 4 pm
ADDRESS: Waterfront Park
129 East River Road
Louisville, Kentucky 40202

4. CRAVE Food & Music Festival 

Travel to the Bluegrass capital of Lexington, KY for the CRAVE Food and Music Festival put on by Kroger and let the foodie in you revel in over 40 food restaurants, a variety of chefs, food trucks, craft beer, and cocktails. But that’s certainly not all this food and music fest offers! You’ll also find plenty to keep you and the family busy with kid’s activities, a car show, and 10 musical acts performing over two days. Vendors will offer items for $5 or similar and digital, pre-loaded CRAVE Bucks will be used for all food and beverages inside the festival. Parking is free and admission is $10 for a day or $15 for both days, but kids 10 and under are free and UK students with a valid student ID can get tickets for 1/2 off.

CRAVE Food and Music Festival Details:

DATE: August 26-27
TIME: Saturday 11 am -10 pm |
Sunday 11 am – 7 pm
ADDRESS: Bluegrass Fairgrounds at Masterson Station Park
3051 Leestown Rd
Lexington, KY 40511

5. WorldFest

Louisville’s celebrated WorldFest returns for the 2023 Labor Day Weekend! This September weekend is filled with international treasures, including a vendor village with nearly 150 international-themed arts, crafts, merchandise, and (of course) food booths, three entertainment stages showcasing international, national, regional, and local performers, and a Parade of Cultures celebrating all the diverse cultures in Louisville. Expand your cultural horizons and enjoy this fun-filled fest that features cuisine from around the world all in downtown Louisville. Admission is free, but food and vendor products will be available for regular purchase.

2023 WorldFest Details:

DATE: September 1-4
TIME: TBD
ADDRESS: The Belvedere
471 West Main Street
Louisville, KY 40202

If you own a restaurant, café, or grocery store in or near Louisville, and are searching for grease trap cleaning services, look no further than Moon Grease Trap Cleaning. We have over 20 years of experience serving Louisville’s food industry with our top-of-the-line PROVac machine, and are proud to offer a cleaning service where dragging big hoses or heavy equipment through your restaurant isn’t required! Ready to get started? Visit our website and to fill out a contact form and get your free estimate, or give us a call at 502-776-2199. We look forward to working with you!

Residential grease traps and what to do with your used cooking oil in Louisville, KY

What Should I Do With Used Cooking Oil in Louisville, KY?

Grease traps are a wonderful invention that commercial kitchens use to keep their systems running, appliances sanitary, procedures up to code, and fats, oils, and grease out of the water system. There is so much cooking oil needed to make things crispy, cooked fully, tasting good, and not sticking to anything – sounds like a win-win situation, right? It is! For restaurants and other kitchens, at least.

But what about the average joe? What about the residential side? We have deep fryers and Dutch ovens and plenty of used cooking oils and grease that, when we’re cleaning up, has always been a pain in the rear. You can’t pour it down the sink because it clogs up the drain, you can’t pour it outside because it’s bad for the environment, kills your lawncare efforts, and can drain into your water supply, and in large amounts, pouring it into the garbage or in a sack just isn’t possible without a mess and lots of regret.

So what do you do with your leftover cooking oil? There are 3 recommended, responsible ways to dispose of it.

1. Reuse

Oil is not a one-and-done food! In the deep fryer, when cooled and strained after each use, oil can be used 8-10 times! Each time, you’ll notice your oil level decreasing but, depending on the size of the fryer you’re using and food you’re frying, you don’t have to replenish it! Let it go down and then, at the end when it’s at a manageable amount, you can reuse it for other cooking methods, like pan-frying, marinating, and seasoning.

Between uses, make sure you store your oil in an air-tight container and in a cool, dark place. The pantry will usually work just fine, but if you’re worried, you can always store it in the refrigerator if you have space! When brought down to a certain temperature, some oils can coagulate and change consistencies, but as soon as it is heated, it will change back. Not to worry!

2. Repurpose

Cooking oil doesn’t always have to stay in the kitchen, either! If you have used cooking oil that you’ve strained any food particles out of but don’t want to reuse for cooking endeavors, then that oil is perfectly fine to use as:

  • Pet Food Addition
    • NOTE: Adding a small amount to your pet’s food every now and then can improve taste and provide extra fats for skin and coat health. Be sure not to give them too much or they might get an upset stomach or gain weight!
  • A Paint Stripper
  • Hinge, Lock, or Wheel Lubricant
  • Rust Prevention
  • Leather Protection

If you’re a serial DIYer or project-finder, then your used cooking oil and grease might come in handy!

3. Recycle

If you just want it out of your hair, then residential cooking oil and grease can be recycled! Perhaps not in the same way you recycle cans and bottles, but most recycling centers will take your containers of used cooking oil off your hands. Empty milk jugs, secure glass bottles with a screw-on lids, and empty takeout containers with pop-on lids are all acceptable receptacles to bring to your nearest recycling center.

A bonus of Louisville’s oil recycling is that they have partnered with the private firm, Oil Tech, to reuse the oil as biodiesel!

You can find Louisville and Jefferson County’s guidelines on residential cooking oil disposal and resources to their locations here.

If you own a restaurant, café, or grocery store in or near Louisville, and are searching for grease trap cleaning services, look no further than Moon Grease Trap Cleaning. We have over 20 years of experience serving Louisville’s food industry with our top-of-the-line PROVac machine, and are proud to offer a cleaning service where dragging big hoses or heavy equipment through your restaurant isn’t required! Ready to get started? Visit our website and to fill out a contact form and get your free estimate, or give us a call at 502-776-2199. We look forward to working with you!

Ghost Kitchens are a New Restaurant Model

What Are Ghost Kitchens? Inside The Revolutionary Food Industry Trend

Ever heard of “ghost kitchens”? Also known as virtual kitchens, shadow kitchens, and cloud kitchens, this new restaurant model offers delivery-only and pickup-only food offerings. That means there’s nowhere to sit and no definable storefront. Customers must place orders online, call, use third party apps, or use drive-throughs to get their food. 

While similar “kitchen-only” food preparation and processing facilities have existed for decades, “ghost kitchens” are unique in that they are technically restaurants, just without seating. In doing so, they lower overhead and operational costs, free up parking, and are able to produce much more food at faster rates. 

Ghost kitchens have grown in recent years for several reasons. For one, the rise of food delivery apps such as Grubhub, Uber Eats, and DoorDash has opened up a huge market for food delivery. This trend has only continued to increase during the pandemic, as physical storefronts were forced to close down and people stayed at home to stay safe. Now, as we face unprecedented supply chain and food industry issues, costs of food production are higher than ever. Many restaurants and chefs have turned to ghost kitchens as a way to save money and stay in business. 

Inside Louisville’s Newest Ghost Kitchen

This March, Chicago’s Jerk Tacos opened up in West Louisville. Located on South 30th Street, this Caribbean-style restaurant offers jerk pizza, jerk tacos, and more, all with no physical seating. Customers must place an order online or by calling. 

According to owner and executive chef Aaron Williams, this business model helps cut overhead costs, allowing them to provide high quality food at lower prices. In coming months, we’ll likely see more and more restaurants turning to this business model or similar endeavors.

Grease Trap Cleaning in Louisville, Kentucky

Whether you run a traditional restaurant or a ghost kitchen, you’re gonna have grease! 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 can manage and schedule your restaurant grease trap service on a timely basis, ensuring that you meet all required 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. 

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

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

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! 

 

Try these 9 great restaurants, cafes, bars, bakeries, and eateries in Louisville and Jeffersonville Indiana 2021

9 New Restaurants To Try In Louisville and Southern Indiana, November 2021

The past year has been incredibly difficult for the food industry. Thousands of restaurants all over the country have been forced to close their doors for good. For many more, adaptation has become a part of daily life. From curbside pick-ups and QR code menus to the supply chain crisis and understaffing, the pandemic has created a number of unprecedented obstacles. 

The restaurant industry of Louisville and Southern Indiana is no exception. In 2020, over 40 beloved local eateries closed, such as Harvest, Spinelli’s, Buckhead Mountain Grill, Rye on Market, Hopcat, North End Cafe, Scarlet’s Bakery, Edie Merlot’s, Longboard’s, Desserts By Helen, Bistro 42, and many more. 

While we’re still mourning the loss of these great restaurants, it’s not all doom and gloom. Many new eateries have actually opened or reopened in Louisville in the past several months. What better way to invest in our region’s food industry this holiday season than by supporting these fledgling businesses? Keep reading to learn about 9 new (and returning) restaurants to visit this November.

Overview of 9 New Restaurants Louisville 2021

1. Tha Drippin Crab

This gourmet seafood restaurant opened in the Russell neighborhood of Louisville this October. The brainchild of celebrity chef Darnell Ferguson, Tha Drippin Crab is sure to satisfy all of your seafood cravings. 

2. EggHolic 

Located on Hurstbourne Parkway in Louisville, EggHolic features authentic Indian street food, consisting of many egg-based dishes, sandwiches, curries, chaats, chicken, and more. 

3. Decca

This Nulu staple reopened in September after being closed since December 2020! Decca features a lounge, patio, and an all-new menu featuring upscale Italian and Mediterranean cuisine. 

4. Square Cut Pizza

This delightful new pizza joint opened in the Shelby Park neighborhood this October. The pizza is, in fact, squared shaped and cut–the traditional Roman style, as envisioned by Italy-trained Chef and owner Emil David. If you’re looking to refresh your pizza or charcuterie game, definitely check out Square Cut!

5. The Scoop Waffle & Sweet Shop

Located on the Charlestown-New Albany Pike in Jeffersonville, this brand new ice cream and waffle shop features a variety of homemade sweet and savory items, including the delectable “wamwich” (a waffle sandwich)! See more here

6. MozzaPi @ Ten20

MozzaPi, the Anchorage pizza and bread restaurant, has opened another location at TEN20, a new craft brewery in Butchertown. Popular for artisanal sourdough pizza and house-milled flour, MozzaPi is sure to thrill at its second location.  

7. Fort Royal Restaurant 

Love Caribbean or Haitian food? Try Fort Royal, recently opened on Southside Drive in Louisville. This authentic Caribbean joint has received rave Google reviews and features mouthwatering seafood such as red snapper, stewed shrimp, and fried tilapia. 

8. Germantown Social 

Located adjacent to the Germantown Mill Lofts, this new restaurant offers all kinds of food, including salads, sandwiches, and full dinner entrees. Visitors can expect to enjoy the dog-friendly patio, life music, and takeout/delivery options.

9. Close Enough Cafe 

This eclectic Jeffersonville eatery celebrated its grand opening on November 11th with a host of baked goods, deli sandwiches, and brunch entrees, plus Guiness, Kombucha, and Nitro Cold Brew on tap! Close Enough Cafe is sure to be a popular addition to the Spring Street Corridor, right across the Ohio River Walking Bridge.

Grease Trap Cleaning in Louisville and Southern Indiana

If you own or operate a restaurant, grocery store, or food-related business in the Louisville, Kentucky or Southern Indiana region, consider contacting Moon Grease Trap Cleaning for your grease trap or grease trap interceptor cleaning and upkeep. We’ve provided regularly-scheduled grease trap service for restaurants large and small for over 20 years. 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 are happy to answer any and all questions you may have.

Moon Companies offers grease trap cleaning to Louisville and New Albany, Indiana

Grease Trap Cleaning in New Albany, Indiana

New Albany, Indiana is located 4 miles northeast of Louisville, a short trip across the Ohio River. With a population of 37,000, New Albany offers a small town charm and a vibrant, growing culinary, retail and arts scene. Popular sites of interest include the Carnegie Art and History Center, the Riverfront Amphitheatre, the River Run Family Water Park, and the New Albany Farmer’s Market. Top-rated restaurants include The Exchange Pub and Kitchen, Dragon King’s Daughter, Agave + Rye, Brooklyn and The Butcher, and the New Albanian Brewing Company. Foodies, families, antique lovers, theatre-goers and history nerds alike can all find something to do in New Albany!

Founded in 1813 as a hub of shipping and boat building, New Albany grew to be the largest city in Indiana. While it no longer holds that title, New Albany is still home to five historic preservation districts . New Albany’s rich history is evident in structures like the stunning Culbertson Mansion State Historic Site, the Scribner House, the nearby Falls of the Ohio State Park. 

Moon Grease Trap Cleaning is proud to service New Albany, Indiana, and the surrounding areas. We provide regularly scheduled grease trap cleaning services for any size restaurant or food preparation location. Our highly-skilled grease trap cleaning technicians will thoroughly remove, clean and dispose of all grease, wastewater, and solid material from your grease trap system. Keep reading to find out about how our professional grease trap cleaning services in New Albany works. 

How Do I Schedule A Grease Trap Cleaning with Moon?

Are you a business owner, wondering how to book a grease trap cleaning appointment with Moon? Just give us a call at 502-776-2199 or fill out our website contact form! We’ll schedule your service, provide you with a free cost estimate and answer any questions you may have. 

How Does Grease Trap Cleaning Work?

Once you’ve confirmed your grease trap service appointment, our professional team members will come to your location.  Most grease traps are a small metal tank, under the sink in your building. We’ll use a top-of-the-line PROvac hose to efficiently and safely pump your grease trap or grease trap interceptor. The entire process is incredibly quick and very quiet, so that the grease trap cleaning can be done during your business hours.

Why Should I Get A Grease Trap Cleaning?

You can’t ignore your grease traps. Failing to properly handle your grease traps can lead to law violations, expensive servicing, or business closures, due to unsanitary conditions. That’s why choosing to invest in a local company that cares about your continual success and quality of service is of the highest importance.

As a MSD Certified Hauler and member of the Kentucky Restaurant Association, we are certified experts in grease trap cleaning, fully committed to keeping your business compliant with state and federal laws. Whether your business requires monthly servicing or chooses to use us on a needed basis, our skilled and hardworking team is happy to provide affordable and environmentally-friendly service. Contact us today!

How to and where to recycle old grease in your restaurant

Recycling Old Grease

If you own a restaurant, you’re probably familiar with the large amount of grease associated with cooking at scale. But did you know that old grease found in your grease traps can be recycled? Here’s what you need to know.

How Grease Traps Capture Waste

To start out, it’s helpful to consider how grease traps capture waste in the first place. Grease traps are small metal boxes located inside of food-producing businesses. They help remove greases and solids from wastewater before it enters the sewersystem. Fats, oils, and grease (FOG) that are commonly disposed of in food-producing businesses can build up in wastewater treatment facilities and septic tanks. When unaddressed, this can overwhelm infrastructure and lead to the release of untreated sewage. These oils can also cool and solidify, combining with other solids in the waste system to block pipes. Grease traps help prevent all of this from happening.

Liquids from sinks flow into the traps, and solids that are more dense than water drop to the bottom while greases float to the top. The remaining water, which is mostly grease free, is then put into the sewer system. Businesses service grease traps on a monthly basis. Health code regulations specify cleaning schedules and procedures.

The Recycling Process

So where does recycling come in? When a business like Moon comes to your establishment to clean your grease trap, we end up taking away lots of used FOGs so you can have a clean grease trap. We can thoroughly pump out, clean and dispose of all grease, wastewater, and solid material from your grease trap system by suctioning it out with a hose system. Also, we suction into a holding tank on a truck.

We then take the grease, in a liquid form at this point, to a treatment facility. This facility sorts out the FOGs from the water even further. They put brown grease so it is ready for recycling. Some recycling methods re-purpose the grease to be used as a fertilizer in farm fields. Other times, the FOGs can be purified to the point that they are made into usable fuel. In all cases, your wastewater is transformed into something useful.

How Moon Can Help

Professionals like Moon can thoroughly clean and monitor your grease trap system. Plus, we can help keep track of your maintenance schedule and adherence to regulations.

This has several benefits. For one, properly functioning systems prevent a negative environmental impact from sewage overflow. Plus, it saves time and money by preventing a backed up system that can shut down business. We can also make recommendations about cleaning commercial kitchens to mitigate the impact of FOGs on your grease trap or interceptor system and the environment.

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.

The history of grease traps and how they came to be

History of the Grease Trap

Grease traps play a key role in properly capturing and disposing of grease in food-related establishments today. Both grease traps and grease interceptors are a standard and required feature in many businesses. How did this come to be such a staple of modern life? Today on the blog, we’re taking a look at the history of the grease trap. 

History of the Grease Trap: 19th Century

As long as there have been sewage systems, there has been a need to deal with the fats, oils, and greases (FOG)  humans have put into them. FOG can be a major issue on sewage systems, causing backups that severely damage a community’s ability to properly manage waste and wastewater. The first official patent for a grease trap system was filed in the late 19th century by Nathaniel Whiting, an American inventor. This first design has the same core elements we see in modern day grease traps. An interceptor box is connected to the source of FOG (a kitchen sink, for example) and removes unwanted material before wastewater is put into the sewage system. The box holds the FOG for later removal. 

History of the Grease Trap: 20th Century and Today

While that core design is still at the root of grease traps today, there are several improvements that have been made over time. For example, in the 1930’s a gravity grease trap was developed, which used more water than previously to slow the flow through the grease trap. This allowed for a greater removal of FOG from kitchen wastewater. 

Since then, some other common types of grease trap have emerged. The modern hydro-mechanical grease trap is one such innovation. It utilizes heat, water, and gravity within a steel or carbon trap to more efficiently remove and store FOG. Another modern innovation is the automatic grease trap. This leverages electrical and mechanical features to remove a high percentage of FOG.  

Scheduling Grease Trap Servicing

If you own an establishment with a grease trap or interceptor, quality servicing is important for your business. Professionals like Moon Grease Trap Cleaning can thoroughly pump out, clean and dispose of all grease, wastewater, and solid material from your grease trap system. It’s important to regularly schedule cleaning. Properly functioning systems prevent a negative environmental impact from sewage overflow or blockage. Plus, it can save time and money by preventing a backed up system that can shut down business.

Moon can help keep track of your maintenance schedule and adherence to regulations. This is important- for any business that prepares food, it is mandatory by law to have a grease trap installed and cleaned regularly. As a Kentucky Restaurant Association Member, Moon stays up to date with regulations and follows best practices.

No service request is too big or too small for Moon Grease Trap Cleaning. We provide quality service in a prompt manner. Schedule your next grease service by contacting Moon at 502-776-2199. Or, visit our website for a quote! We are happy to answer any and all questions you may have. 

 

How grease traps can contribute to restaurant pests

Kitchen Pests: Maintaining Your Grease Traps

Grease traps are a crucial element of any commercial kitchen or business that serves food. Unfortunately, improperly maintained grease traps can attract all sorts of nasty pests if you aren’t careful. Not to fear! Here are our top tips for avoiding pests in your commercial kitchen.

FOG Build-up Attracts Kitchen Pests

First, you should know why this is so important. When you do not properly keep a grease trap maintained, FOGs can build up and lead to several issues like clogged pipes, damage, and inefficient draining (learn more about FOGs from our previous blog on the topic). Additionally, it can attract pests to your establishment. Pests love to feed off of organic matter like FOG. This can be both unsightly and unsanitary- bugs and mice can carry disease around the food you serve customers. Plus, FOG build-up tends to produce a distinctly stinky smell. This is pretty noticeable too, and is a huge issue both for pest control and customer satisfaction.

Look Out for Drain Flies

One common pest you may find in your kitchen is the drain fly. These tiny flies often congregate around drains or other areas that harbor food waste or grease. They like standing water and leftover organic matter- they lay eggs in these areas, and their larvae feed upon the organic matter. Even if a drain appears clean from the outside, the pipes below may be caked with a layer of grease. To prevent this from happening and attracting drain flies, always be careful about what goes down drains. Do not put solids down your drains. Also, you should make sure your grease traps are maintained properly to help reduce the amount of FOGS that make it into your pipes. You can also pour hot water down drains on a weekly basis to help break down any buildup.

Clean Grease Traps Are The Answer

A clean grease trap means fewer pests, less risk of disease spread, more passed inspections, and better business. Professionals like Moon Grease Trap Cleaning can get you on a schedule for grease trap cleaning. You’ll meet all necessary regulations and you’ll have access to an expert who can help get to the root cause of any pest issues. Our technicians remove all FOGs from your traps and interceptors, clean your systems, and properly dispose of FOGs. You’ll also be less likely to have untimely and expensive system failures like sewer backups. Plus, we service grease traps and interceptors of all capacities. So, your business will benefit from our work whether you have a small establishment or an enormous one.

All of this means your business will be able to run smoothly, avoid costly problems, and focus more on what matters: the food and service you provide to your customers.

Are you ready for pest problems to be a thing of the past? Look no further! Moon is the one-stop shop for your grease trap needs. 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!