Vacuum hose pumping a commercial grease trap in Riverside, California

Grease Trap Cleaning

Grease Trap Cleaning in Riverside, CA

Riverside Grease Company pumps and cleans under-sink and in-floor grease traps for restaurants and commercial kitchens throughout Riverside County, full evacuation, scraped clean, documented every time.

Call Now 1-888-263-6637 info@thegreasecompany.com

The service

A COMPANY YOU CAN TRUST

A lot of grease trap "cleaning" is just skimming the top layer of floating fats. That leaves the settled solids and the crust on the baffles, and the trap fills back up within days. We evacuate the trap completely, scrape the walls, baffles and lid, remove the sludge layer, and confirm the inlet and outlet lines are flowing.

Traps under 50 gallons typically need monthly service; higher-volume fry and wok kitchens often run every two to four weeks. We'll set a frequency that keeps you below the 25% rule your inspector uses.

Every visit includes

Complete pump-out of liquids, solids and floating grease
Walls, baffles, tees and lid scraped and wiped
Visual inspection of components, including inlet and outlet lines
Gasket and lid condition inspection
Odor control and clean, spill-free work area
Manifestation report
Photos on request for multi-location managers
Recommendations if the trap is undersized

Grease trap 101

Why grease trap cleaning matters

Every commercial kitchen sends fats, oils and grease, FOG, down the drain. FOG is liquid when it's hot, but it cools, solidifies and clings to the inside of your trap and sewer lines like artery plaque. Your grease trap exists to catch it before it reaches the municipal sewer, and it only works if it's cleaned on schedule.

When a trap fills past capacity, FOG passes straight through to the city's lines, where it mixes with other kitchens' grease and forms blockages the industry calls "fatbergs." Those blockages cause sewer overflows into streets and storm drains and Riverside County's FOG control programs trace them back to the businesses responsible, with fines that can reach thousands of dollars per incident.

Inside your building, a neglected trap means slow drains, floor sink backups mid-service, hydrogen-sulfide odors that drive customers away, and pest pressure. Health inspectors can write up an overfull trap, and a sewer spill traced to your kitchen can force a shutdown. A scheduled cleaning costs a fraction of one emergency plumbing call, and keeps your permit safe.

The real risks of skipping service

Kitchen backups and closures during peak service
Sewer district fines and FOG program violations
Health inspection write-ups and permit jeopardy
Emergency plumbing bills many times the cost of cleaning
Foul odors that reach the dining room
Drain flies and pest attraction around the trap
The 25% rule: over a quarter full means non-compliance
Permanent damage to laterals and the main sewer line

Warning signs

WHEN IT'S TIME TO CALL FOR GREASE PUMPING SERVICE

Slow drains

Sinks and floor drains backing up during a rush.

Odors

A sour, sewage-like smell near the dish pit or trap.

Visible grease

Grease mat over 25% of the trap's depth.

Inspection notice

A health or sewer district notice with a deadline.

On the job

What a real grease trap cleaning looks like

Under-sink commercial grease trap installed in a Riverside kitchen — Indoor under-sink traps serviced without shutting the kitchen down.

Grease trap full of grease and food solids before pumping — A trap past due, grease and solids well over the 25% line.

Open grease trap lid showing grease layer before cleaning — Lid off, buildup measured, then fully evacuated.

Vacuum hose pumping a commercial grease trap — Complete pump-out, walls and baffles scraped clean.

Stainless under-sink grease trap unit plumbed into a commercial kitchen — In-line trap units serviced in place, in under an hour.

The Grease Company grease pumping truck parked outside a restaurant — Our trucks, our crews, permitted hauling every visit.

Local service

Grease trap cleaning across Riverside County

We run standing grease trap routes in Riverside, Corona, Moreno Valley, Temecula, Murrieta, Menifee, Hemet, San Jacinto and every other major city in the county, including the Coachella Valley.

What does a grease trap cleaning include?

A complete pump-out of all liquid and solids, scraping of walls, baffles and lid, a rinse-down, an inlet and outlet line check, and a Manifestation report for your records.

How much does grease trap cleaning cost in Riverside?

Pricing depends on trap size, access and service frequency. Under-sink traps are the most affordable; larger units and one-off emergency calls cost more. Call 888-263-6637 for a flat quote on your unit.

Do you clean traps after hours?

Yes. We schedule early mornings, late nights and between-shift windows so service never interrupts your service line.

How do I know when my grease trap is full?

Measure the floating grease and settled solids against the trap's depth. Once the combined layers reach 25% of capacity, it must be pumped. Slow drains, sour odors near the dish pit and grease visible at the lid are all late-stage signs.

Can you service the trap without shutting down my kitchen?

Yes. Under-sink and in-floor traps are serviced in place, usually in under an hour, and we schedule between shifts or after close so the line keeps moving.

Do you provide Manifestation reports for health inspectors?

Every cleaning ends with a Manifestation report showing date, volume removed, service performed and the permitted disposal facility, exactly what Riverside County inspectors ask for.

Do you also pick up our fryer oil?

Yes. Most of our trap accounts bundle used cooking oil collection, so one provider handles the trap inside and the oil out back, with top dollar paid for quality oil.

What happens if I skip cleanings?

Grease hardens in the trap and the outlet line, causing slow drains, backups, odors, health inspection violations and potential sewer district fines. Scheduled cleaning is far cheaper than a backup mid-shift.

Riverside County Service Area

Cities we clean grease traps in

Same crews, same standards, whether you're off the 91 in Corona or on El Paseo in Palm Desert.

Grease Trap Pumping & Cleaning
Grease Interceptor Pumping & Cleaning
Used Cooking Oil Collection & Pick Up

Video library

Watch grease service in action

Clips from our crews pumping traps and interceptors, plus quick tips on keeping your kitchen compliant.

See the full channel on YouTube

24 Hour Support Available

Schedule grease trap cleaning today

Same-week scheduling across Riverside County with 24 hour support available. Services are first come, first served, and emergency services are based on availability.

1-888-263-6637 Get a Free Quote