Prepared by GreaseTrapLocator · Fact review: August 9, 2026
Automatic grease recovery is not a single, universal type of equipment. The cited manufacturer manual explains how one named model operates, while local wastewater and building requirements determine whether a particular design is acceptable for a particular project. This page is a guide to comparing the documents—not a sizing rule or a recommendation for one system over another.
Automatic recovery is model-specific
Toronto describes a grease recovery device as a type of hydromechanical grease interceptor that removes floating grease to a separate container. Its guidance says the device may suit kitchens with concentrated or solid fats, oils, and grease, and locations that are difficult for a pump truck to access. That is a Toronto example, not a rule for every location or kitchen. City of Toronto, Grease Interceptor Installation
For example, Thermaco’s Big Dipper IS manual describes a timed skimming wheel and a collection container for that named system. The same manual treats operation and maintenance as model-specific. That description does not establish how every automatic device works, how it performs in every kitchen, or whether it is approved where you operate. Thermaco, Big Dipper IS Installation/Operation Manual
Compare the approval and equipment records
Start with the local authority responsible for the project. EPA explains that local limits are established and administered locally. The documents requested for a project can therefore differ by locality. U.S. EPA, Pretreatment Standards and Requirements—Local Limits
Toronto is one example of that local approach: its published guidance requires a building permit to install or replace a grease interceptor and requires accessible installation. It also lists information that must remain available for certain point-source units, including manufacturer and installation drawings when markings are not visible after installation. Those details apply in Toronto/Ontario only. City of Toronto, Grease Interceptor Installation
For each option under consideration, ask the local authority and project team to review the exact model documentation, its rating label, its installation instructions, its service responsibilities, and the approved project documents. Do not use a rating in one unit as a shortcut for a different measure. Flow rating, grease-containment rating, liquid capacity, fixture units, retention time, and the kitchen’s operating profile answer different questions.
Questions for a local project team
- Which local authority or approved project document controls this installation?
- Which exact model and current manufacturer documents are being reviewed?
- What ratings appear on that model’s label, and what does each rating measure?
- Who is responsible for the operating and service tasks identified in the approved documentation?
- What records does the local program require for this specific facility?
These questions do not replace local approval, a qualified project team, or the named manufacturer’s instructions. They help keep a comparison focused on the records that actually apply.
Keep comparison claims within their evidence
A manufacturer manual can support facts about its named product. A local authority can support the requirements it administers. Neither source, by itself, supports a universal claim about equipment performance, energy use, service frequency, cost, payback, outage behavior, or acceptance in another jurisdiction. If a comparison cannot identify the relevant local requirement and exact product documents, it is not ready to determine which option fits a project.
Frequently asked questions
What is an automatic grease recovery device?
Toronto describes a grease recovery device as a type of hydromechanical grease interceptor that removes floating grease to a separate container. A named model may use a particular mechanism; for example, Thermaco’s Big Dipper IS manual describes a timed skimming wheel and collection container. Those are source-limited descriptions, not a definition of every product. See Toronto guidance and the Thermaco manual
Does an automatic device remove the need for local approval?
No source in this draft treats a product type as a substitute for local review. EPA explains that local limits are established and administered locally. Toronto, for example, requires a building permit to install or replace a grease interceptor. The responsible authority and applicable rules depend on the project location. See EPA local-limits guidance and Toronto guidance
Can one rating be converted into another to compare options?
No. A product document may list several measurements, but they do not become interchangeable. For example, Schier’s GB2-C page lists 35 GPM, 130 pounds of grease capacity, and 20 gallons of liquid capacity for that named model. Those are separate stated ratings, not a general conversion formula or a local approval decision. Schier GB2-C product information
What documents should a comparison include?
Use the local authority’s requirements, the approved project documents, and the exact current manufacturer documents for each model being considered. Toronto’s guidance is one local example that calls for accessible installation and, for certain point-source units, manufacturer and installation drawings to be retained when required markings are not visible. Toronto guidance
Author: Grease Trap Locator Editorial Team
The Grease Trap Locator editorial team covers FOG compliance, grease trap maintenance, and commercial kitchen regulations across the US and Canada. Our guides are written for restaurant owners, facility managers, and food service operators who need practical, accurate information without the fluff.
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