I’m with you on the “don’t dig up the yard” thing—seems like a last resort unless you’ve got a real problem. Here’s what I did: picked up a basic under-sink trap, set a reminder on my phone to check it every month, and keep a jar for bacon grease. Not glamorous, but it works. Has anyone here actually had a small in-kitchen trap overflow or cause issues if you keep up with it? Just wondering if I’m missing some hidden downside.
picked up a basic under-sink trap, set a reminder on my phone to check it every month, and keep a jar for bacon grease. Not glamorous, but it works.
That’s honestly the safest way to go if you’re not dealing with a commercial kitchen. I’ve seen a couple of in-kitchen traps get a bit funky, but only when folks forget to empty them for months. As long as you’re checking it regularly like you said, overflow’s pretty unlikely. The only “hidden downside” I’ve run into is the smell if you let it sit too long... but you’re already on top of that. Digging up the yard is a huge hassle unless there’s no other option.
I get the appeal of under-sink traps, but honestly, I went with an outdoor (underground) one after my old kitchen trap started leaking. The smell was rough, and it felt like I was always cleaning it. The install was a pain, but now I barely think about it—just a quick pump-out every year or so. Not for everyone, but worth considering if you’re tired of maintenance inside.
Title: Choosing between in-kitchen and underground grease traps—what would you do?
I hear you on the smell—nothing like a whiff of old grease to ruin your day. I went with an under-sink trap, but only because I’m a bit obsessive about cleaning and wanted to keep an eye on things. The maintenance is annoying, but at least I know what’s going on down there. Underground sounds great for peace of mind, though... just wish the install wasn’t such a project. If I ever redo the kitchen, might rethink it.
I’ve dealt with both setups across a few properties, and honestly, each has its headaches. Here’s what I’ve learned the hard way:
- In-kitchen (under-sink) traps are easy to check, but tenants rarely keep up with cleaning. I end up getting calls about slow drains or smells, and it’s always a greasy mess under there. If you’re hands-on, it’s manageable, but if you’re not around much, it gets gross fast.
- Underground traps are out of sight, which is great until something goes wrong. Had one clog up last winter—took forever to figure out where the backup was coming from. Needed a pro to dig it up and clear it. Not cheap, and definitely not quick.
- Smell-wise, in-kitchen traps are worse if they’re neglected. Underground ones can stink too if they’re not maintained, but at least the smell isn’t right in your face every time you open a cabinet.
- Install cost is a big factor. Underground is a pain to retrofit—had to tear up part of a patio once. Wouldn’t recommend unless you’re already doing major work.
If I had to pick for a new build or full reno, I’d lean underground just for the long-term peace of mind and less day-to-day hassle. But for existing kitchens, under-sink is just easier to deal with, even if it means more frequent check-ins.
Funny thing—one tenant tried pouring boiling water down the sink every week thinking it’d “melt the grease.” Didn’t work. Just made the trap smell like burnt oil for days.
Bottom line: both options have their trade-offs. Depends how much you want to babysit the system versus pay upfront for less hassle later.