Manual grease separators

Manual grease separators are devices that separate fats and starches from wastewater without any connection to the electrical grid. Separation works purely on the basis of physical laws – the different densities of the separated liquids and gravity. With electricity prices constantly rising, that is certainly good news for every catering operation.

Why a grease separator is a good investment

The initial cost of purchasing a separator pays for itself in the form of lower costs for cleaning and repairing clogged drains and sewers, as well as significantly better hygiene on the premises. Fats poured into kitchen sinks pollute and clog the sewers, cause odours, attract rodents and also cause problems in wastewater treatment plants, where they reduce the cleaning capacity of microorganisms and have to be laboriously removed. This type of waste pollutes both surface water and groundwater – so by using a separator you also contribute to protecting the environment.

Where manual separators come into their own

Their undemanding operation makes them a great helper for capturing fats from dishwashing in households or in "small gastronomy", where there is no need to install high-capacity equipment:

• school and company kitchens, canteens,
• small restaurants, bars and pubs,
• hotels and guesthouses, pizzerias,
• fast-food outlets and roadside inns,
• hospitals and food trucks,
• small processing plants – dairies, cheese factories, slaughterhouses, fish processing,
• private houses and apartments.

MINI ST24 manual grease separator

The most sought-after compact device in our range is the MINI ST24 manual grease separator. This small and unobtrusive device is a technologically advanced separator that delivers excellent wastewater treatment results – it separates both oily substances and solid impurities. It is cube-shaped with edges up to 40 cm, so it fits, for example, into a kitchen cabinet under the sink and in the immediate vicinity of a dishwasher.

How does it work?

• It requires no power supply – operation is based on physical phenomena and the flow of wastewater through the device is gravity-driven.
• Sludge and solids, being heavier, collect in the lower part – the settling tank.
• Light grease rises and collects on the surface. The inlet to the discharge pipe is close to the bottom, so only water passes through it and the grease remains inside the device.
• Water freed of impurities flows out of the separator into the waste pipe.
• The separator is protected against the release of odours by a siphon drain and a sealed ventilation attachment.
• The most important element is the unique screw-on lid with a replaceable seal – it ensures full tightness and makes emptying the grease and removing the sludge considerably easier.
• The device is made of polyethylene with a density of at least 935 kg/m³ – it is lightweight yet very strong and resists corrosion, weather, UV radiation and the chemical compounds in wastewater.
• Thanks to its low weight, customers can easily install the separator themselves and monitor the grease level and the condition of the inlets on their own.

How to install a manual grease separator

• Install the device as close as possible to the source of pollution – ideally right after the point where the wastewater is produced: under the sink or behind the dishwasher.
• The MINI ST24 is fitted with standard DN 50 connectors at the inlet and outlet, which fit directly into the existing drainage system or can be adapted with commonly available reducers. The ventilation connection is also DN 50.
• Install the device after the under-sink siphon; any inlet from a dishwasher must also have a siphon.
• Ensure easy access to the separator and to the parts requiring maintenance.
• The basic technical parameter is the nominal flow rate – for the MINI ST24 it is 0.5 l/s. This value is sufficient for one or two sinks with aerators and a connected dishwasher; for a higher flow rate, choose a larger model.
• Before installation, level the device, connect the outlets to the drainage system, connect the ventilation and fill the device with water.

Maintenance

• Inspect, clean and empty the separator regularly. The layer of grease on the surface must be removed regularly – empty and wash the separator at least once a week.
• Clean the grease trap when about a quarter of its volume is filled with grease and solids; the layer of accumulated grease should not exceed 20 cm.
• After emptying, thoroughly clean the individual components, check the structural condition and tightness of the system and fill the unit with clean water.

MINI ST24 technical information

• settling and separation chamber, siphon drain, ventilation,
• weight 3.4 kg, volume 34 litres,
• active separator capacity 24 l, sludge trap capacity 8 l,
• inlet, outlet and ventilation pipes ø 50 mm,
• dimensions: length 390 mm, width 350 mm, height 390 mm; inlet height 300 mm and outlet height 280 mm (from the bottom),
• monolithic polyethylene tank with an internal partition separating the sludge chamber from the separation chamber,
• screw-on lid ø 320 mm with structurally guaranteed tightness against unpleasant odours.

FilterShield solids filter

The FilterShield solids filter is a simple device that captures most mechanical impurities from wastewater, protects the drains from clogging with food residues, starches or ground coffee and helps eliminate odour problems. It also needs no electricity to operate. It is suitable wherever there is a high concentration of food residues during washing – in pre-rinse sinks, pot-washing sinks and in food preparation areas with vegetable peelers or coffee machines. It captures rice, meat scraps, chicken bones as well as various fibres or pieces of sponge that would cause major trouble in the pipes.

How does it work?

• FilterShield creates pressure similar to a fountain effect – solids are captured in the internal filter basket with 2 mm and 4 mm perforations, while the filtered water flows away freely.
• The easily removable airtight lid with a silicone rubber seal effectively prevents odours from escaping.
• The filter basket (15 kg capacity, stackable) is removed and emptied using the integrated handles.
• It comes with adjustable feet as standard and can be supplemented with a stainless steel stand; installation is possible on either the left or the right side, with a complete installation kit.
• Inlet and outlet 40 mm, height with feet and lid 301 mm, with stand 529 mm, integrated overpressure valve – and no maintenance costs.

FilterShield can be installed together with a grease separator as a solids pre-filter, or on its own.

Read more on our blog about why to use a grease separator and about automatic grease separators for larger operations.