I’m all for avoiding a surprise backup, but I also don’t want to throw money at a problem that could be managed with a little planning.
Honestly, I’ve had both setups in different houses. The in-kitchen trap is definitely more “in your face”—you’ll know the second something’s off, which is kind of a blessing and a curse. Yeah, you end up cleaning it more, but it’s usually just a quick rinse every week or two. The underground one was out of sight, out of mind... until it wasn’t. Had a nasty backup once because I forgot about it for months. Ended up costing way more to fix than all those little cleanings combined. If you’re good at remembering maintenance, underground might save you some hassle, but if you’re forgetful like me, the kitchen one’s probably safer (and cheaper in the long run).
I get where you’re coming from, but I actually lean the other way. We installed an underground grease trap a few years ago, and while it does need attention, I set a recurring reminder on my phone and haven’t had any issues since. The kitchen ones always bugged me—smell, mess, and they take up precious cabinet space. Plus, with the underground setup, I could compost the skimmed grease more easily (after letting it solidify), which felt less wasteful. Maintenance is a pain if you forget, but with a bit of tech help, it’s been pretty smooth sailing for us.
The kitchen ones always bugged me—smell, mess, and they take up precious cabinet space.
I hear you on the cabinet space. I’ve had to squeeze around those bulky under-sink traps before, and it’s not fun. One thing I’ve found helps with the smell (if you’re stuck with an in-kitchen trap) is cleaning it out a bit more often than the manual says—like, every week instead of every two. Not ideal, but it does cut down on the funk. Underground sounds way less invasive if you’ve got the space and budget for it.
Honestly, those under-sink traps are a pain—mine’s always in the way when I’m trying to find the dish soap. I agree, cleaning more often helps, but it still feels like a losing battle with the smells sometimes. If you’ve got the yard for it, underground is so much less hassle, but yeah, not everyone can swing the install costs. I’ve even heard of folks rigging up DIY odor filters, but that seems like more trouble than it’s worth.
Here’s the thing—underground traps sound dreamy until you’re the one digging up half your yard or paying someone else to do it. I’ve seen folks go that route, then curse every time there’s a clog and they have to call me with a backhoe. Under-sink traps are annoying, sure, but at least you can get at them without a shovel. As for the smells, a little lemon peel down the drain now and then does wonders... just don’t tell my boss I said that.