The situation of kitchen drains frequently being clogged is a difficult problem that many restaurants and industrial kitchens face every day. A clogged drainage system not only disrupts business operations but also affects food hygiene and safety. Below, BIOGENCY will share the core causes and solutions to prevent your kitchen from being clogged.
- Why do restaurants and kitchens often have clogged drains?
- How to fix the problem of restaurants and kitchens often having clogged drains
- Probiotics effectively handle the problem of frequent clogged drains in restaurants and kitchens.
Why do restaurants and kitchens often have clogged drains?
Unlike the normal domestic drainage system, pipes in industrial kitchens have to bear a particularly large amount of waste. The main reason why kitchens often get clogged drains comes from many factors. Specifically as follows:
- Animal and vegetable fats are the number one cause of clogged pipes. During cooking, a large amount of fat from meat, fish, and cooking oil is washed away with the wastewater. When exposed to lower temperatures in the pipes, these fats solidify, stick to the pipe walls, and accumulate over time. This layer of fat not only narrows the pipe diameter but also creates a sticky surface that traps other waste.
- Leftover food and food residue are the next cause. Pieces of vegetables, fish bones, shrimp shells, rice grains, etc. accidentally pour into the sink with dishwashing liquid. These pieces combine with the hardened grease to form a stubborn blockage. In particular, starchy foods such as rice, flour, and noodles will swell when exposed to water and stick to the pipes.
- Soap and detergent residues are not harmless either. Cleaning chemicals, when combined with hard water containing many minerals, will form soap scum that sticks to the pipes. This residue will accumulate over time and reduce the drainage capacity of the system.
- Poor system design is a factor that exacerbates the problem. Many kitchens have pipes with sharp bends, inadequate slopes, or pipes that are too small in diameter for the wastewater flow. This causes water to flow slowly, allowing waste to settle and accumulate more easily.
- Eventually, a lack of regular maintenance causes small problems to develop into major blockages. Without regular cleaning, the buildup of debris becomes thicker and thicker, narrowing the pipe until it becomes completely blocked.
How to fix the problem of restaurants and kitchens often having clogged drains
When faced with a kitchen drain that is frequently clogged, applying the right treatment measures will help restore the drainage system quickly. Below are simple but effective methods that you can implement immediately.
Use warm water
Hot water is the first and simplest solution to a mild clog. This method is especially effective for early-stage grease clogs, when the grease has not yet completely hardened.
The method is very simple, you boil a large pot of water about 3-5 liters, then slowly pour it into the drain hole in batches. The high temperature of boiling water helps dissolve the hardened fat layer on the pipe wall, softening it and making it flow down the drain. You should pour water in 2-3 times, each time a few minutes apart so that the temperature has time to affect deep into the pipe.
However, you should note that you should not pour boiling water into PVC pipes or old pipes that are prone to cracking because high temperatures can damage the pipes. This method is only suitable for mild blockages; if the pipe is seriously clogged, you need to combine it with stronger measures.
Use salt or baking soda
Salt and Baking Soda are two ingredients readily available in the kitchen but have the ability to effectively unclog and clean pipes. With salt, just put half a cup of coarse salt into the drain, pour boiling water and let it sit for 15-20 minutes before flushing vigorously, helping to deodorize and remove dirt. Baking Soda combined with white vinegar creates a foaming reaction, helping to decompose grease and organic matter stuck in the pipes. After 30 minutes, flush again with hot water to clear and deodorize the pipes.
Use of biological products
Microbiological products are an advanced biological solution, being chosen by many restaurants and industrial kitchens to sustainably handle the problem of kitchens frequently clogged drains. Unlike traditional methods that only provide temporary solutions, microorganisms have the ability to completely decompose the source of the blockage.
Probiotics contain billions of beneficial bacteria that can decompose grease, protein, starch and organic matter. When entering the drainage system, they stick to the pipe wall, creating a biofilm that secretes enzymes that help “corrode” and gradually clean the residue and grease inside.
Probiotics effectively handle the problem of frequent clogged drains in restaurants and kitchens.
Among the probiotic products on the market, the Microbe-Lift line from the US is highly appreciated for its effectiveness in handling blockages in industrial kitchens. With advanced microbial technology, the two products below are the optimal solution to the problem of frequent clogged kitchen drains.
Microbe-Lift DGTT Grease Decomposing Microbes
Microbe-Lift DGTT probiotics are a specialized biological solution that helps to deal with the problem of frequent kitchen drain blockages in restaurants, kitchens and food processing areas. The product contains beneficial microorganisms such as Bacillus Subtilis, Bacillus Megaterium, Bacillus Circulans,… which are environmentally friendly and safe for humans.
When added to the drain, the microorganisms in Microbe-Lift DGTT will adhere to the pipe walls, using grease, fat and dirt as a source of nutrition. As a result, they quickly decompose and liquefy the accumulated grease layer, significantly reducing odors after just one week of use, while preventing re-clogging.
The product works effectively in the pH range of 4-9, temperature 4-40°C and salinity below 4%, suitable for restaurant, eatery and industrial kitchen environments. Regular use of Microbe-Lift DGTT helps maintain a smooth drainage system, reduces the frequency of cleaning the grease trap, and significantly saves maintenance and labor costs.
Microbe-Lift IND Biodegradation-Promoting Probiotics
Microbe-Lift IND is a high-tech probiotic that effectively treats clogged drains, clogged pipes and bad odors in restaurants and industrial kitchens. The product contains 13 selected strains of microorganisms such as Bacillus Subtilis, Pseudomonas Citronellolis, Clostridium Butyricum, Desulfovibrio vulgaris… which have the ability to strongly decompose organic compounds, grease, starch and protein that have accumulated for a long time in the drainage system.
When added to the drain, the microorganisms in Microbe-Lift IND quickly grow, adhere to the pipe wall, and create a biofilm that continuously decomposes the layer of grease, fat, and dirt. Thanks to that, the drain is always maintained smoothly, minimizing blockages and unpleasant odors.
The product works effectively in an environment with pH 4-9, temperature 4-40°C, adapts well to both aerobic, anaerobic and facultative conditions. Regular use of Microbe-Lift IND not only helps keep the restaurant’s drainage system clean but also reduces the cost of sewer cleaning and maintenance, while contributing to environmental protection thanks to its safe and friendly biological treatment mechanism.
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The problem of kitchen drains frequently being clogged can be completely controlled if the right method is applied. BIOGENCY is proud to provide high-quality Microbe-Lift probiotic products, helping hundreds of industrial kitchens completely overcome the problem of blockage and improve operational efficiency. Please contact BIOGENCY at 0909 538 514 for advice.
>>> See more: How to deodorize restaurant drains
