Title: In-Kitchen Traps Save Headaches Down the Line
I’ve managed a handful of rental properties over the years, and I’ll take an in-kitchen grease trap over an underground one every time. The convenience factor just can’t be overstated. I had a tenant once who called me in a panic because their kitchen sink was backing up—turns out the underground trap was completely clogged, and we had to bring in a plumber with specialized equipment. Not only did it cost a small fortune, but the whole process tore up part of the landscaping. That’s not something you want to deal with, especially if you’re trying to keep tenants happy.
Aesthetics are nice, but honestly, most under-sink traps are tucked away enough that nobody notices unless they’re looking for them. I always tell folks: if you can’t get to it easily, you probably won’t maintain it as often as you should. Out of sight, out of mind, right? And when you do remember, you don’t want to be crawling around with a flashlight or breaking out power tools just to do basic cleaning.
I’ve also found that tenants are way more likely to actually clean an accessible trap if it’s simple—no weird wrenches or proprietary parts. Just gloves, maybe a bucket, and like you said, baking soda for the smell. I’ve even started leaving a little laminated instruction card under the sink in my units. It’s not glamorous, but it saves everyone headaches.
One thing I will say: if you’re running a commercial kitchen or dealing with really high volumes of grease, sometimes you don’t have much choice but to go bigger and underground. But for most homes or small rentals? Keep it simple and accessible. Your future self (and your wallet) will thank you.
Not gonna lie, I used to think underground traps were the “pro” way to go—less clutter under the sink, out of sight, seemed like less hassle. But after having to dig up my own backyard for a clog (and realizing how much grease builds up faster than you’d think), I’m with you on this one.
if you can’t get to it easily, you probably won’t maintain it as often as you should
That’s spot on. Here’s my quick-and-dirty process for keeping an in-kitchen trap from turning into a science experiment:
1. Every couple weeks, pop off the lid (no tools needed if you get a decent model).
2. Scrape out the gunk with a plastic spatula—don’t use your good kitchen stuff.
3. Rinse with hot water, then dump a little baking soda in for good measure.
4. If anything smells funky, a splash of vinegar usually sorts it.
Honestly, it takes five minutes and saves a ton of grief later. Only thing I’d push back on is aesthetics—my partner hates seeing the box under the sink, but I’ll take that over another weekend with a shovel any day.
I’m leaning toward the in-kitchen trap too, just for the convenience. But I keep wondering—does anyone actually notice a difference in water flow or drainage speed with those under-sink models? I’ve heard mixed things, but haven’t tried one myself yet.
I keep wondering—does anyone actually notice a difference in water flow or drainage speed with those under-sink models?
I went with the under-sink trap in my kitchen, mostly because I’m lazy and didn’t want to dig up my yard. Honestly, the only time I notice a difference in drainage speed is when I forget to clean the thing... which, let’s be real, happens more than I’d like to admit. It does slow down if you let the grease build up, but as long as you stay on top of it, water flows fine. Just don’t do what I did and try to “test” its limits with a pot of bacon grease—trust me, it’s not worth the cleanup.
Testing the limits with bacon grease... yeah, that's a classic mistake. I've seen more than a few under-sink traps get clogged up fast when folks dump hot grease down the drain. Like you said, regular cleaning is key.
From what I've seen,
—that's pretty much spot on. As long as you keep up with maintenance, under-sink models don't really slow things down. But if you let them go too long, you'll definitely notice sluggish drainage and sometimes even backup.“the only time I notice a difference in drainage speed is when I forget to clean the thing...”
One thing I'd add: under-sink traps are easier to access for cleaning, but they fill up quicker than the bigger underground ones. If you're running a busy kitchen or do a lot of frying, an outdoor/underground trap might save you some hassle in the long run. For most home kitchens though, under-sink works fine—just don’t ignore it for months at a time or you’ll regret it.
