Grease Trap Pumping
Licensed vendor coordination for LA restaurants
GreaseGrid coordinates grease trap pumping for restaurants, food trucks, and commissary kitchens across Los Angeles and the San Fernando Valley. We handle the scheduling, vendor matching, and compliance documentation. You get a pump-out and a proof packet.
Overview
A grease trap is the smaller, in-kitchen device (under 100 gallons) that intercepts fats, oils, and grease before they enter the sewer. Under LA Sanitation's FOG program and LAMC Section 171, grease traps must be pumped when they reach 25% capacity or at least every 90 days, whichever comes first. Missing a pump-out triggers violations, fines, and potential kitchen shutdowns. The hard part is not the pumping itself. It is finding a licensed vendor, scheduling around your operating hours, and producing the documentation an inspector needs. That is what GreaseGrid does.
What to Expect on Service Day
Pre-service confirmation (T-24h)
The day before service, GreaseGrid sends an SMS and email with the vendor name, arrival window, and a photo of the expected truck and uniform. You confirm back or flag an access change. No mystery arrivals.
Vendor arrival (15-30 min window)
The vendor arrives within the confirmed window with a vacuum truck, absorbent mats, and PPE. For in-kitchen grease traps the truck usually stays curbside and the technician runs hose to the trap location. Street-parked jobs in Downtown LA, Hollywood, and Koreatown are typically coordinated around your posted street cleaning schedule.
Pump-out and cleaning (30-60 minutes)
The technician removes the lid, pumps liquid and solids, scrapes the interior walls and baffles, and rinses the chamber. A 50-75 gallon under-sink trap usually takes 30-45 minutes. A 100-gallon trap can take up to an hour. Your kitchen does not need to shut down for most in-kitchen traps, though prep near the unit may pause briefly.
Manifest and proof capture
Before leaving, the technician hands you a waste manifest showing the licensed disposal facility, gallons hauled, and the vendor license number. GreaseGrid automatically captures before/after photos, the manifest, and a GPS timestamp into your compliance vault.
Proof packet delivery (same day)
Within a few hours of service, you receive a PDF proof packet with the manifest, photos, vendor credentials, and a one-page inspector summary. The packet meets LA Sanitation documentation requirements and can be handed to an inspector on the spot.
LA & SFV Regulatory Context
Los Angeles food service establishments operate under LAMC Section 171 and the LA Sanitation FOG Control Program. The core requirements are straightforward: install approved grease control equipment, pump before reaching 25% capacity or at least every 90 days, use only licensed waste haulers, retain service records for inspector review, and keep manifests showing disposal at permitted facilities. In practice, LA Sanitation inspectors show up during routine health inspections or after a sewer backup complaint in your block. The things that get restaurants flagged: a dirty trap, no recent service record, a receipt from an unlicensed hauler, or paperwork that cannot be produced on request. Penalties start at corrective action notices and escalate to fines and, in repeat cases, suspension of your food service permit. Burbank and Glendale run their own FOG programs under Burbank Municipal Code Chapter 8 and Glendale Municipal Code Chapter 13 respectively. The substance is similar — regular pump-outs, licensed haulers, documentation — but enforcement and inspector cadence differ. GreaseGrid coordinates vendors who are licensed in all three jurisdictions.
When Operators Reach Out to Us
New restaurant opening in DTLA
You just signed a lease in the Arts District. The build-out has an existing under-sink grease trap but no service history from the prior tenant. We baseline it with a pump-out, verify the trap is correctly plumbed, and set a recurring 90-day schedule before your soft opening.
Inspector shows up tomorrow
LA Sanitation posted a 48-hour inspection notice. You cannot find the last manifest and your last service was months ago. We route an emergency pump to a vendor who can be there within 24 hours and deliver the proof packet before the inspector arrives.
Multi-location operator
You run four concepts across LA and the Valley. Each has different trap sizes, different service histories, and different landlords. We put all four on a shared calendar, consolidate vendor relationships, and give your ops manager one portal instead of four phone numbers.
High-volume kitchen exceeding 90 days
Your ramen shop pushes volume that fills the trap in six weeks, not twelve. The 90-day rule is a ceiling, not a schedule. We set the cadence based on your actual fill rate and adjust if service photos show you are pumping too early or too late.
GreaseGrid vs. the Vendor
What GreaseGrid does
- Match you with a licensed, insured vendor
- Confirm appointment date and time window
- Send automated reminders before service
- Collect proof of service after completion
- Generate a compliance-ready proof packet
- Maintain your service history in a compliance vault
What the vendor does
- Arrive on time with appropriate equipment
- Pump the grease trap and transport waste
- Dispose of waste at a permitted facility
- Provide waste manifest and service documentation
- Bill you directly for the pumping service
GreaseGrid coordination fees start at $49 per service (Portfolio tier, 4+ locations), $59 at Professional (1–3 locations), or $79 at Pay-As-You-Go. No recurring charges. The vendor bills separately for the pumping work — typical $175–$475+ depending on trap size and access.
Frequently Asked Questions
How often should I pump my grease trap?
LA Sanitation requires grease traps to be pumped when they reach 25% capacity or at least every 90 days, whichever comes first. High-volume kitchens may need more frequent service.
What happens if I miss a pump-out?
LA Sanitation can issue fines, require corrective action, and in severe cases suspend your health permit. A clogged trap can also cause backups, odors, and kitchen shutdowns. GreaseGrid's automated reminders and recurring plans prevent missed services.
Do you service grease interceptors too?
Yes. Grease interceptors (larger, typically in-ground units over 100 gallons) are a separate service. See our grease interceptor pumping page for details.
How quickly can you schedule a pump-out?
Most non-emergency pump-outs are scheduled within 3-5 business days. Emergency service is available subject to vendor availability.