I get where you’re coming from about the smell. One time I forgot to clean our in-kitchen trap before a long weekend, and when we got back, the whole place reeked like old fryer oil. My partner threatened to ban deep-frying for good. Underground traps are a pain in winter, but at least they keep the kitchen livable. Still, I can’t help but miss the convenience sometimes…
I hear you on the winter hassle with underground traps. I’ve had to chip ice off lids just to get them open, and that’s before you even start cleaning. But man, the smell from in-kitchen ones is brutal if you miss a cleaning—totally get why your partner was ready to pull the plug on deep-frying. I guess it comes down to what’s more of a headache: dealing with the cold and heavy lifting outside, or risking that nasty kitchen funk if you forget?
Have you ever tried any of those enzyme treatments or automatic dosing systems for in-kitchen traps? I’ve seen them work decently in some places, but I’m not convinced they’re worth the cost for smaller setups. Curious if anyone’s had better luck with them...
Enzyme dosing systems are a mixed bag in my experience. Here’s what I’ve seen:
- Used them in a couple of smaller kitchens—honestly, they helped with the smell, but only if you’re religious about maintenance. Miss a dose or two and it’s back to square one.
- Cost adds up fast for the automatic units, especially when you factor in regular refills.
- Had one spot where the dosing pump clogged more than the trap itself... not fun.
If you’re running a high-volume kitchen, maybe worth it. For smaller setups, manual cleaning still seems less hassle overall, even with the occasional stink.
Had a similar run-in with enzyme dosing setups—maintenance is really the make-or-break factor. I’ve noticed that in-kitchen grease traps are easier to keep an eye on, but they fill up fast and if you’re not on top of it, things get messy quick. Underground traps are less hands-on day-to-day, but when something goes wrong, it’s a bigger headache (and usually a bigger bill). Ever had to dig one up because of a backup? Not fun. I lean toward in-kitchen for smaller places just because you can spot issues before they become disasters, but I get why some folks prefer the underground option for space reasons.
I hear you on the underground traps—had one at my last place and when it backed up, I swear the plumber’s bill nearly gave me a heart attack. Ended up digging half the yard just to get to the thing. These days, I stick with in-kitchen even if it means emptying it more often. At least I know what’s going on and don’t have to play “find that smell” in the backyard. Still, I get why folks want everything out of sight... just not sure my wallet can handle those surprises.
