Grease Trap Inspection Checklist (Printable)
Use this checklist three ways: a monthly 10-minute self-inspection by your staff, a verification list while the service company works, and a paper trail your FOG inspector will actually respect. Print this page and keep completed copies with your manifests.
Monthly Self-Inspection (staff)
- Lid and gasket intact, seated, and odor-tight
- No grease sheen or odors at nearby floor drains
- Drains from kitchen running freely (no gurgling / slow drain)
- FOG depth measured: ______ inches / ______ % of trap depth (clean before 25%)
- Inlet tee visible and attached
- Outlet tee visible and attached (missing outlet tee = grease to sewer = fines)
- No evidence of bypassing, overflow, or spills around the trap
- Best-practice signage posted (scrape plates, no grease down drains)
- Next professional service is booked for: ____________
During Professional Service (verify before they leave)
- Complete pump-out performed — all liquids and solids removed (not skimmed)
- Walls and baffles scraped
- Inlet/outlet tees inspected; damage noted: ____________
- Trap refilled with water after cleaning (required for it to work)
- Lid re-seated and sealed properly
After Service (paperwork)
- Signed manifest received — date, volume, hauler license #, disposal facility
- Manifest filed with service records (keep at least 3 years)
- Maintenance log updated
- Next service date booked and on the schedule
Why the Outlet Tee Line Matters Most
If one item on this list predicts a violation, it's the outlet tee. When it corrodes or falls off, grease exits the trap into the city sewer with every dish cycle — invisible to you, very visible to the utility doing sewer-line sampling downstream. Check it monthly; it's a two-second look.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I measure FOG depth in my grease trap?
Use a clear tube or a long rod inserted to the bottom of the trap (the "sludge judge" method). The grease cap floats on top and solids settle at the bottom; together they should total less than 25% of the trap's liquid depth. If they're at or near 25%, book a cleaning now.
What do FOG inspectors actually check?
Typical inspection: current manifests and service records, FOG depth in the trap, condition of baffles and tees, evidence of bypassing or illegal discharge, and whether best management practices (scraping plates, no grease down drains) are posted and followed. A maintained checklist and log answers most of it before they ask.
How often should staff do a visual inspection?
Monthly is the standard for self-inspections, plus immediately after any slow-drain or odor complaint. It takes ten minutes and catches problems while they're cheap.
What if my inspection finds damaged baffles or tees?
Don't ignore it — a missing outlet tee lets grease flow straight to the sewer, which is the violation cities fine hardest. Have your service company repair or replace fittings at the next cleaning, and note the repair in your log.
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