Unacceptable Cleaning Methods

When filters are cleaned outside, the grease completely bypasses the grease trap. and is washed into the stormwater drainage system.

THIS IS A SERIOUS EPA VIOLATION. Not only can the restaurant be fined, but whatever company is cleaning the hood filters outside can also incur fines.

Three-compartment sinks can only be used for cleaning and sanitizing service ware. Any time restaurant staff uses the 3-compartment sinks to clean grease filters it is a health code violation as they must use caustic (high pH) cleaning solutions to soak the filters.

The resulting grease-laden water drains into a grease trap; but, because the water is so caustic it can bypass the trap.

Bypassing the grease trap can lead to sanitary sewer overflows which enable the caustic, grease-laden water to end up in public sewer system.

Cleaning grease filters in a commercial dishwasher:

• requires more water than sink cleaning
• may adversely affect the dishwasher's warranty
• is against health code
• only cleans the filter's surface

When restaurants clean grease filters in a dishwasher, they typically soak the filters in the sink before placing them in the dishwasher. After the filters are cleaned in the dishwasher, workers have to empty the dishwasher tank of greasy water then refill it with fresh.

Because dishwashers bypass the grease trap, grease-filled water drains into the public sewer system.