Does a food truck need a grease trap?

Almost always yes, but usually a portable interceptor rather than a fixed in-ground trap. The local council sets the requirement as a condition of the food-truck permit.

Where do food trucks dispose of grease waste?

At a licensed liquid waste facility or, more commonly, at a commissary kitchen or depot that has a fixed trade-waste-approved trap. The truck operator either pays a per-empty fee or a flat depot fee.

Can I use one of your contractors for my food truck?

Submit the form and we route the request to contractors who handle portable interceptors. Not every contractor does, so expect one or two quotes rather than three, depending on your city.

By venue type

Grease trap cleaning for food trucks

What drives the cost of a planned grease trap clean for food trucks, the practical interval most operate to, and the three reasons food trucks commonly run their traps too hard.

Why food trucks' traps fill up the way they do

Food trucks rarely have an in-ground grease trap. Instead they run a small portable interceptor or a contained waste tank that needs emptying after every few service days.
Volume per service is small, but the waste is concentrated, often with hot oil from frying stations.
Most local councils that issue food-truck permits set conditions on where the waste must be disposed of, usually a licensed facility or a commissary kitchen with a fixed trap.

Typical size and frequency for a food truck

Typical trap size

Smaller, often a portable interceptor rather than an in-ground trap

Typical interval

Varies, often emptied weekly at a depot

Frequency is set per venue in the trade waste agreement. The figures above are practical starting points; the agreement is the rule. See how often should a trap be cleaned for the underlying logic.

What affects the cost

Food truck waste costs are usually a per-empty or per-month figure rather than a per-pump-out. Many trucks pay a flat fee to their commissary or depot rather than booking individual contractors.

The only reliable way to know what your food truck will pay is to compare real quotes for your trap, your access and your schedule.

More on what moves the price: grease trap cleaning cost.

Getting quotes

Submit the venue address, your contact details and the trap details you know. Skip what you do not know, the contractor will confirm on site. Up to three licensed contractors quote, typically the same business day. Free for venues.

Frequently asked

Does a food truck need a grease trap?: Almost always yes, but usually a portable interceptor rather than a fixed in-ground trap. The local council sets the requirement as a condition of the food-truck permit.
Where do food trucks dispose of grease waste?: At a licensed liquid waste facility or, more commonly, at a commissary kitchen or depot that has a fixed trade-waste-approved trap. The truck operator either pays a per-empty fee or a flat depot fee.
Can I use one of your contractors for my food truck?: Submit the form and we route the request to contractors who handle portable interceptors. Not every contractor does, so expect one or two quotes rather than three, depending on your city.