That’s pretty much how I see it too.
Couldn’t agree more—nothing like a nasty backup to ruin your week (and your wallet). I’ve had to dig up an old underground trap once, and honestly, I’d take a smelly kitchen job over that mess any day. At least with the in-kitchen ones, you know what you’re dealing with right away. Not glamorous, but way less risky long-term.“I’d rather deal with the occasional stink than a surprise excavation.”
Honestly, I’d take the underground trap any day if you’ve got the space and budget. Sure, it’s a pain when things go wrong, but you don’t have to smell that funk every shift. Plus, less clutter in the kitchen—my knees thank me later.
I get the appeal of an underground trap—out of sight, out of mind, and you’re not tripping over it during service. But I’ve seen folks regret it when they have to dig up half the kitchen floor to fix a leak. Maintenance isn’t exactly a walk in the park, and if you’re in an older building, access can be a nightmare. Personally, I lean toward in-kitchen units for smaller setups, just because it’s easier to keep tabs on them. If you really hate the smell, there are tight-sealing models now that do a decent job. Not perfect, but less invasive when things go sideways.
I hear you on the maintenance headaches with underground traps. The cost of tearing up flooring if something goes wrong is just not worth it to me, especially if you’re trying to keep expenses down. I’d rather deal with a bit of smell now and then than fork out thousands for repairs. Have you noticed any big difference in cleaning costs between the two? I’ve heard in-kitchen ones are cheaper to pump out, but maybe that depends on the size.
I get where you’re coming from about the cost if something goes wrong underground, but I’ve seen a few kitchens regret going with the in-kitchen traps too. One place I worked with had constant issues with odors, and it actually became a health inspection problem. They ended up spending more on deep cleaning and air filtration than they would’ve on a proper underground setup. Pumping costs were lower, sure, but the hassle of dealing with the smell and extra cleaning added up fast. Sometimes it’s a trade-off between upfront risk and ongoing headaches... neither option is perfect, honestly.