Grease Trap Rescue: Taking Over a Challenging San Francisco Kitchen Setup
August 15, 2025
Severely compacted grease trap located deep inside a San Francisco commercial kitchen before service by North Bay Restaurant Services, the best grease trap cleaning company in San Francisco.
Some kitchens can keep up with their grease traps on their own — for a while. But when the setup is tricky and the days are already packed, it’s easy for those cleanings to get pushed further and further down the to-do list.
That’s exactly what happened here. This facility in San Francisco had three grease traps tucked deep in the basement, well out of reach for any pump truck. The staff had been self-servicing for years, but the process was time-consuming and difficult. Eventually, the reality set in: the traps weren’t getting cleaned often enough, and it was time to bring in a professional crew.
They decided to start weekly service with us, and we knew right away that the first visit was going to be a big one.
North Bay Restaurant Services technicians use portable Conde Pro Vac units to pump a hard-to-access grease trap in San Francisco during deep cleaning service.
Tackling the First Service
For jobs like this, showing up prepared makes all the difference. We sent two experienced technicians and brought in two portable Conde Pro Vac units to handle the distance from the truck.
Since each Conde Pro Vac only holds about 60 gallons, every load had to be hauled back to the truck, emptied, and then brought back inside for another round. With three grease traps in the building — all overdue for service — this meant a lot of back-and-forth.
It’s not glamorous work, but it’s the kind of job we take pride in: making sure nothing is rushed, and every trap is pumped and cleaned right the first time.
Grease trap restored to spotless and code-compliant condition by North Bay Restaurant Services, providing the best grease trap cleaning in San Francisco.
The Results
By the end of the service, all three grease traps were:
- Fully pumped and cleared of compacted solids
- Cleaned to the bottom for maximum capacity
- Inspected and documented with before-and-after photos
- Logged in a custom FOG report so the customer could stay in compliance with local regulations
From here on out, weekly professional service will keep things running smoothly — no more scrambling, no more putting it off.
Why Kitchens Call Us for the Hard Jobs
Since 1996, North Bay Restaurant Services has been taking care of grease traps in some of the hardest-to-reach spots in San Francisco and across the Bay Area. Rooftops, basements, tight alleyways — we’ve seen it all and cleaned it all.
If your grease trap is overdue or hard to access, give us a call. We’ll bring the right crew, the right equipment, and the know-how to get it done.
People Also Ask: Grease Trap Cleaning in San Francisco
How often should a grease trap be cleaned in San Francisco?
In our experience, most kitchens in the city need a cleaning every month to stay ahead of clogs and meet local compliance rules. We’ve also seen busy fryer-heavy kitchens need it every couple of weeks — it really depends on your menu and volume.
What if my grease trap is in the basement or far from the street?
We run into that all the time. When a pump truck can’t get close enough, we bring in portable vacuum units and make multiple trips to get the job done right. It’s more work, but it means you get a full, thorough clean no matter where the trap is located.
Can you handle compacted or overdue grease traps?
Yes — we’ve restored traps that haven’t been touched in years. We remove all the compacted solids, scrub the walls down to the bottom, and bring it back to full capacity. For severe cases, we send extra techs and specialized hot water pressure washing equipment to steam clean it so nothing gets left behind.
Do you provide FOG reports and photos after service?
Always. You’ll get a compliance-ready FOG report plus before-and-after photos every single time. It’s your paper trail for inspectors and a way to see exactly what we did.
Do you offer ongoing service schedules?
Yes. Most of our customers are on a set schedule — weekly, monthly, or quarterly. It keeps them compliant, prevents emergencies, and saves money in the long run.
Written by Brittney Bailey
Director, North Bay Restaurant Services
Since 2016, Brittney has led the administrative and customer service operations at North Bay Restaurant Services, supporting thousands of commercial kitchens across the Bay Area. She specializes in coordinating service for high-volume restaurants, hotels, and fine dining establishments—where timing, cleanliness, and compliance are non-negotiable. Brittney prides herself on delivering concierge-level customer service in an industry not known for it, bringing Michelin-level attention and professionalism to every account.
