Zurn grease traps — particularly the GT2700 series — dominate commercial kitchen installations across North America, but they're not the only option worth considering. This guide compares the leading grease trap brands by build quality, compliance ratings, maintenance requirements, and real-world performance to help you choose the right system for your operation.
Why Brand Selection Matters for Long-Term Grease Management
The brand you choose determines more than initial purchase price. Quality grease traps reduce pumping frequency, prevent emergency backups, and withstand the thermal shock and chemical exposure common in commercial kitchens. A well-engineered unit from Zurn, Thermaco, or Mifab typically operates 10–15 years with proper maintenance, while bargain alternatives often fail within 3–5 years, costing more in repairs and compliance violations.
Material construction drives longevity. Epoxy-coated steel units resist corrosion but require intact coating to prevent rust-through. Stainless steel models eliminate corrosion risk entirely but cost 40–60% more upfront. Polyethylene and fiberglass options suit specific installations where weight or chemical resistance matters most.
Zurn GT2700 Series: Industry Standard for Steel Grease Traps
Zurn's GT2700 series represents the most widely specified grease trap line in commercial foodservice. The GT2700-10-2NH (10 GPM, 20-pound capacity) and GT2700-25-3NH (25 GPM, 50-pound capacity) handle typical restaurant and cafeteria loads with epoxy-coated steel construction and gasketed skid-proof covers.
Key specifications: corrosion-resistant epoxy coating, fabricated steel body, built-in flow control, and PDI-G101 certification. The GT2700 line includes inlet and outlet connections configured for standard plumbing rough-ins, reducing installation time compared to field-fabricated alternatives.
Match grease trap capacity to your actual flow rate, not kitchen size. A 25 GPM unit serves a three-compartment sink plus prep area in most full-service restaurants, while a 10 GPM model handles smaller cafés or single-fixture applications.
The GT2702 variant extends capacity to 100 gallons per minute for high-volume kitchens. Zurn's epoxy coating performs well in normal pH ranges but can degrade faster in facilities using aggressive chemical cleaners or experiencing frequent thermal cycling above 180°F.
Thermaco Big Dipper: Automatic Grease Removal Systems
Thermaco's Big Dipper automatic grease removal devices take a fundamentally different approach than passive gravity interceptors. These electric units skim floating grease into a collection container on a timer cycle, reducing the grease volume entering your main trap or sewer line.
The Big Dipper IS-125 and IS-250 models mount directly to pot sinks or dump stations, capturing grease before it cools and solidifies in drainage pipes. Unlike passive traps that require pumping every 30–90 days, automatic units need only weekly grease container changes — a task staff can handle without a pumping service.
Automatic grease removal devices don't replace main grease interceptors in most jurisdictions — they supplement them by capturing the highest-concentration waste streams before they reach your primary trap.
Installation requirements include dedicated 120V electrical service and proper venting for the heated skimming mechanism. Thermaco publishes detailed maintenance schedules: daily grease container checks, weekly thermostat verification, and monthly strainer basket cleaning. Operators who skip these tasks experience frequent service calls and shortened equipment life.
Mifab: Stainless Steel and Polymer Alternatives
Mifab manufactures grease interceptors in materials beyond standard epoxy-coated steel. Their stainless steel units suit corrosive environments — coastal installations, facilities using chlorinated cleaning systems, or kitchens with inconsistent pH control. The upcharge over comparable Zurn models ranges from $800 to $2,400 depending on capacity, but eliminates coating failure as a maintenance variable.
Mifab's polymer grease traps use high-density polyethylene or polypropylene construction. These units weigh 60–70% less than steel equivalents, simplifying above-floor installations in dining rooms or retrofits where structural loading limits options. Polymer traps resist chemical attack and never corrode, but they can't handle the same thermal loads as steel — most manufacturers limit inlet temperatures to 140°F versus 180°F for metal units.
The Mifab GT-series includes models from 10 to 100 GPM with PDI-G101 and ASME A112.14.3 certifications. Their sampling tee design simplifies compliance testing — inspectors can pull effluent samples without removing the entire cover. This feature matters in jurisdictions requiring quarterly grease trap performance documentation.
Other Commercial Grease Trap Manufacturers Worth Considering
Watts Drainage offers the PGI (passive grease interceptor) series with both indoor and outdoor configurations. Their larger-capacity outdoor models (500–2000 gallon) suit multi-tenant food courts or central kitchen facilities where individual under-sink traps can't handle the combined load.
Josam manufactures grease interceptors specifically for floor drain applications. Their J series integrates a grease trap body into a floor receptor assembly, eliminating separate trap and drain components. This approach works well in prep areas where equipment drains (ice machines, steam kettles, produce sinks) discharge to floor-level receptors.
Ashland and Highland Tank produce large-capacity outdoor interceptors (1000+ gallons) from fiberglass, steel, or concrete. These installations require excavation and comply with different regulations than under-sink units — most jurisdictions classify them as "grease interceptors" rather than "grease traps" based on the 50-gallon threshold in PDI standards.
Verify that your chosen brand and model appear on your local health department's approved equipment list before purchasing. Some jurisdictions maintain specific manufacturer requirements that override industry-standard PDI certification.
Comparing Key Performance Specifications Across Brands
Flow rate capacity determines how much wastewater passes through the trap per minute. A properly sized unit matches your peak discharge — not your total daily volume. A dish machine dumping 30 gallons over two minutes requires a trap rated for 15 GPM minimum, even if your kitchen only produces 200 gallons per day total.
Grease retention capacity indicates pounds of fats, oils, and grease the unit holds before requiring pump-out. This specification directly affects maintenance frequency. A 50-pound trap in a high-volume kitchen needs pumping every 30 days, while the same facility with a 100-pound unit extends intervals to 60 days. Calculate your grease load based on menu composition and service volume — deep-frying operations and high-fat cooking produce 3–5 times more grease than steaming and grilling-focused menus.
Material compatibility matters for chemical warewashing systems. High-temperature rinse cycles (180°F) and phosphate-based detergents accelerate epoxy coating degradation. Stainless steel or polymer units better withstand these conditions without premature failure.
Certification marks indicate third-party testing. PDI G-101 certification verifies grease retention efficiency meets the Plumbing and Drainage Institute's performance standard. ASME A112.14.3 covers structural and installation requirements. IAPMO and ANSI certifications indicate compliance with uniform plumbing code standards. Check that your selected unit carries the certifications required by your local authority — some jurisdictions accept PDI alone, others require multiple marks.
What Budget Should You Allocate for Different Brands?
Entry-level epoxy-coated steel traps start around $600 for 10 GPM capacity from manufacturers like Zurn and Watts. Mid-capacity units (20–35 GPM) range from $1,200 to $2,800 depending on grease retention volume and features. Stainless steel models in the same capacity range cost $2,000–$4,500.
Thermaco Big Dipper automatic units run $2,500–$4,000 depending on model and collection container size. Factor in annual operating costs: electricity consumption averages $120–$180 per year, and disposable collection containers cost $8–$15 each for weekly changes.
Large outdoor interceptors represent a different budget category entirely. A 1,000-gallon fiberglass Ashland unit costs $8,000–$12,000 before excavation and installation. Total installed cost including site work typically reaches $18,000–$30,000. These systems make financial sense only when aggregating waste from multiple fixtures or buildings where cumulative flow exceeds under-sink trap capacity.
Don't forget installation variables. Indoor traps near existing plumbing lines cost $400–$900 in labor. Outdoor installations requiring trenching, concrete pads, and extended drainage runs add $3,000–$8,000 to total project cost regardless of trap brand. For more information on commercial kitchen grease management systems, visit the GreasetrapLocator blog.
Frequently Asked Questions About Grease Trap Brands
What makes Zurn grease traps different from other brands?
Zurn grease traps use epoxy-coated fabricated steel with PDI-G101 certification and built-in flow controls that simplify installation. They represent the most widely specified brand in North America due to consistent quality control, broad distributor availability, and competitive pricing in the $600–$2,800 range for under-sink models.
Do automatic grease interceptors like Thermaco Big Dipper replace regular grease traps?
No, automatic grease removal devices supplement — not replace — main grease interceptors in most jurisdictions. They capture high-concentration grease from specific fixtures (pot sinks, wok stations) before it reaches your primary trap, reducing pumping frequency by 30–40% but not eliminating the need for code-required interceptor capacity.
How long do commercial grease traps typically last?
Quality grease traps from Zurn, Mifab, or Thermaco last 10–15 years with proper maintenance and appropriate chemical exposure. Stainless steel units often exceed 20 years, while epoxy-coated steel models fail sooner when coating integrity is compromised by harsh cleaners or physical damage.
Which grease trap material works best for high-temperature dishwashing operations?
Stainless steel grease traps handle high-temperature discharge (up to 180°F) better than epoxy-coated steel, which degrades faster under thermal cycling. Polymer traps limit inlet temperatures to 140°F maximum, making them unsuitable for direct connections to high-temp dish machines without cooling arrangements.
Can I install a different brand grease trap than specified in my original plans?
You can substitute brands if the replacement unit meets or exceeds the specified flow rate, grease capacity, and certifications — but verify approval with your local health department first. Some jurisdictions maintain approved equipment lists that restrict manufacturer options regardless of equivalent specifications.
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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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