Why use a Fat TrapTM?
Household waste pipes are normally 100mm (4 inches) in diameter, the same size as a margarine tub. Street sewer pipes are often only 150mm (6 inches). The pipe from the kitchen sink to the drain is only 40mm.
Clogging caused by Fat, Oil and Grease ("FOG") reduces the size of the pipes, and increases the chances of a blockage. No surprise then that blockages happen when too many of the wrong things go down the drain. Blockages cause sewage to back up, and push its way out of the system through a manhole, a gully trap or a toilet.
So, what do you do? You stop putting in the bad things that cause blockages and pollution – FOG and Sewer Litter.
Putting Sewer Litter elsewhere is easy to do. Put it in a bin or a bag, or wrap it up in some kitchen paper, or something else that is simple. For more details see the What to do right page.
FOG is the biggest problem, because there is no suitable bottle or jar you were going to throw away that you can safely use to store your FOG.
What else could you use?
Hot water melted this jar. Cooking oil is hotter than boiling water.
Margarine tubs are the obvious possibility. But they are made from a plastic that will melt when it is hot, and you could put a hole in the side and have hot fat or oil spreading all over the counter top. Also, the lid comes off easily, and when you put it in with the rubbish it is bound to come off and let the contents spread everywhere. Nasty.
Other plastic jars might do, but they must be made of the right plastic. It has to withstand a lot of heat. There are some that are possible, but they are usually transparent, so if you keep your jar on the counter top you will be able to see your store of old FOG building up inside it. Not a good look. If you put the jar out of sight under the sink, you'll probably forget about it. Or you could get fed up with getting it out and putting it back again. Either way, you won't use it every time. That's no good!
Why is a Fat Trap best?
The Fat Trap that we sell is a made of heat-resistant plastic. It's a nice blue, which looks good anywhere. It has a screw-top cap that comes off with only a half-turn, which makes it as easy as possible to remove, yet it's still secure when put back on. It has a funnel inside to make sure that the hot FOG going in doesn't splash up onto either the counter top or you.
It also has lots of useful information on the label to remind you of how you should be handling your Sewer Litter so you can't forget and cause a blockage or any pollution.
The Fat Trap provides safe FOG storage, in a container that you are happy to keep between the stove and the sink.
See our Keep a Healthy Sewer Near You! (88k pdf) flyer for more information.
Fat Traps are sold in New Zealand by FOG-Catcher Limited and you can purchase them through this website.