I’ve dealt with both types, and honestly, neither is perfect. Underground traps do keep the kitchen cleaner, but out of sight doesn’t mean out of mind—you still end up paying for big cleanouts if folks aren’t careful. The smaller in-kitchen ones are a pain to maintain, but at least you see when things start going south. I lean toward in-kitchen for smaller operations, just because you catch issues early. If you’ve got a big place or tenants who won’t stay on top of it, underground might save you headaches... until it doesn’t.
Title: Choosing between in-kitchen and underground grease traps—what would you do?
You nailed it—neither setup is perfect. I’ve seen way too many places ignore underground traps until it’s a full-blown mess, and then you’re looking at a big bill and a lot of downtime. Out of sight, out of mind is real. In-kitchen traps are a hassle, yeah, but at least you can’t ignore them for long. You smell it or see it backing up, and you deal with it before it gets ugly.
One thing I’d add: if you’ve got staff turnover or folks who don’t really care, underground is just asking for trouble. People forget about maintenance unless it’s right in their face. But if you’re running a big kitchen and can set up a strict cleaning schedule, underground can work—just don’t skip the regular checks. I’ve seen both setups go sideways, but at least with in-kitchen, you usually catch it before it’s a disaster.
You’re spot on about maintenance getting skipped with underground traps. I’ve seen places go months without checking, then suddenly it’s a health hazard. In-kitchen might be a pain, but at least you can’t ignore the smell. Either way, regular checks save big headaches.
Title: Choosing between in-kitchen and underground grease traps—what would you do?
You nailed it about the “out of sight, out of mind” problem with underground traps. I’ve seen a few horror stories where folks only realized there was an issue after the kitchen started smelling like a swamp... and by then, you’re calling in the pros with hazmat suits. In-kitchen traps are definitely more in-your-face (and, let’s be honest, sometimes in-your-nose), but at least you can’t forget about them for long.
One thing I’d add—if you’re leaning toward underground, make sure there’s easy access for maintenance. I’ve seen setups where you need to move half the patio furniture just to get to the lid. Not fun when it’s pouring rain or freezing outside. On the flip side, in-kitchen traps can be a pain if you’ve got a small space or if you’re not a fan of regular cleaning chores.
Either way, skipping maintenance is just asking for trouble. Grease waits for no one... and it always finds a way to remind you if you slack off.
I get what you’re saying about in-kitchen traps being hard to ignore, but honestly, I’d rather deal with a little extra cleaning than risk a hidden mess underground. I’ve got a tiny kitchen, though, and even a small trap takes up way more space than I’d like. Sometimes I wonder if the hassle of squeezing around it is worth the peace of mind. Maybe I’m just paranoid, but I’d rather see the problem before it turns into a disaster.
