I’ve only had my place a year and already learned the hard way that “out of sight, out of mind” is basically an invitation for disaster. Had a tiny leak under the sink that I ignored for weeks…turned into a full-on mess. I get why people want the trap where they can see it, even if it’s gross to clean out. At least you know if something’s off before you’re ankle-deep in kitchen soup. Underground sounds easier—until it isn’t.
I get where you’re coming from—having a leak sneak up on you is the worst. But I’m not totally sold on the idea that in-kitchen traps are always the better call, especially if you’re thinking about the bigger picture.
- Maintenance: Yeah, you can see when something’s wrong, but honestly, how many people actually check under their sink regularly? I know I forget unless there’s a weird smell or something’s dripping. Out of sight doesn’t have to mean out of mind if you set a reminder to check it every month or so.
- Smell factor: In-kitchen traps can get pretty gnarly, especially if you’re trying to keep your kitchen smelling fresh. I had one in my last apartment and it was a constant battle—no matter how much I cleaned, there was always this faint funk.
- Environmental impact: Underground traps are usually bigger, so they can handle more before needing to be emptied. That means fewer trips from the waste company, less fuel burned, and less hassle overall. Plus, some municipalities have better systems for processing grease from larger traps.
- Space: Not everyone has room under their sink for a bulky trap, especially in older houses or apartments. I had to store my compost bin in the bathroom for a while because there just wasn’t space in the kitchen.
- Out of sight, but not out of mind: If you’re worried about forgetting, maybe set up a calendar alert or stick a note on your fridge. It’s not perfect, but it helps.
I get that being able to see a problem is helpful, but sometimes it’s just as easy to ignore something that’s right in front of you if you’re busy or distracted. For me, the environmental benefits and extra space tip the scales toward underground—at least until someone invents a trap that cleans itself...
- The smell thing is SO real. I had an in-kitchen trap for a hot minute and my kitchen always smelled like a weird mix of old fries and wet socks, no matter what I did.
- I’m with you on the space issue too. My under-sink area is already playing Tetris with cleaning supplies and random junk... don’t need to add “grease trap” to the chaos.
- Maintenance-wise, I’d probably just forget it exists until something explodes or leaks anyway. Out of sight, out of mind—until disaster strikes.
- Honestly, if underground means less stink and more space for my questionable collection of reusable bags, I’m leaning that way. Just wish there was a way to guarantee I’d remember to get it emptied before it turns into a horror movie situation...
Honestly, I don’t get how anyone deals with the under-sink grease trap smell. I tried every “odor-proof” hack and it still managed to sneak out. The underground option sounds way better for space, but then you’ve got to remember it’s even there. Anyone actually set a reminder for that? Or do you just wait for the drains to start bubbling up like a swamp? I’m all for less clutter, but I’m not sure I trust myself to keep up with the maintenance...
I hear you on the smell—some of those under-sink traps just never stop stinking, no matter what you do. With the underground ones, I’ve seen people forget about them until it’s a full-on disaster. Do you think it’s worse to deal with the constant maintenance reminders or risk a surprise backup? I kinda wonder if anyone’s actually found a “set it and forget it” solution that works long-term...
