Picking the Right Grease Trap for Your Commercial Kitchen
Not every kitchen needs the same grease trap. A small cafe with one prep sink has different needs than a hotel banquet kitchen processing 500 covers a night. Here are the 10 grease trap types you will find in UAE commercial kitchens, with real specs, pricing, and the situations where each one makes sense.
1. AG1 Under-Sink Grease Trap
The smallest unit in the AG range. Fits under a single prep sink or handwash basin. Flow rate of 1 litre per second, grease capacity around 5–8 litres. Good for coffee shops, juice bars, and small takeaway counters where grease output is low.
Price range: AED 800–1,500 installed
2. AG2 Under-Sink Grease Trap
A step up from the AG1. Handles 2 litres per second with a grease capacity of 10–15 litres. Suited for small restaurants with one or two sinks and a low-volume dishwasher. Still fits under the counter in most kitchen layouts.
Price range: AED 1,200–2,000 installed
3. AG3 Free-Standing Grease Trap
Mid-range unit for kitchens doing moderate frying. Flow rate of 3 litres per second, grease capacity of 20–25 litres. Usually sits on the floor near the kitchen drain point. Common in casual dining restaurants and mid-sized cloud kitchens.
Price range: AED 2,000–3,500 installed
4. AG4 Free-Standing Grease Trap
Designed for busy kitchens with multiple fryers and prep stations. 4 litres per second flow rate and 30–40 litres grease capacity. This is what most full-service restaurants in Dubai end up needing once they hit steady lunch and dinner service.
Price range: AED 3,500–5,000 installed
5. AG5 High-Capacity Above-Ground Trap
The largest above-ground unit. Built for hotel kitchens, large food courts, and commissary kitchens. Flow rate of 5+ litres per second, grease capacity of 50–80 litres. Needs dedicated floor space — usually in a plant room or back-of-house utility area.
Price range: AED 5,000–8,000 installed
6. Type B Above-Ground Grease Trap
The workhorse of UAE commercial kitchens. Type B traps handle higher flow rates than the AG series and come in capacities from 50 to 500 litres. Built from AISI 304 stainless steel or coated mild steel. If you run a restaurant or bar with serious daily output, this is probably what Dubai Municipality wants to see installed.
Read more in our supply and installation guide.
Price range: AED 4,000–12,000 depending on capacity
7. Type C In-Ground Grease Trap
Buried below ground level, usually outside the kitchen in a service yard or car park. Capacities from 500 to 5,000+ litres. Required for hotels, malls, and large catering operations where above-ground units cannot handle the volume. Installation involves civil works — excavation, concrete surround, and connection to the sewer main.
Price range: AED 8,000–25,000+ depending on size and civil work
8. Stainless Steel Grease Trap
Available in all sizes from under-sink to free-standing. AISI 304 stainless steel resists corrosion from hot grease and acidic kitchen waste. Easier to clean than plastic or mild steel units. Lasts 15–20 years with proper maintenance versus 5–8 years for coated steel. DM inspectors prefer them because they do not rust, crack, or harbour bacteria in corroded spots.
See our full comparison on the installation page.
Price premium: 20–40% more than coated steel equivalents
9. PVC / HDPE Grease Trap
Lightweight plastic traps, usually for temporary installations, pop-up kitchens, or low-grease environments. Flow rates from 1–3 litres per second. Not suitable for kitchens doing heavy frying — hot oil above 60 degrees C can warp PVC. Some municipalities accept them for small cafes; others require stainless steel. Check with your local authority before buying.
Price range: AED 500–1,500
10. Automatic Grease Removal Unit (GRU)
A motorised unit that skims grease automatically on a timer. The collected grease drains into a separate container for disposal. Reduces manual cleaning frequency and keeps the trap at peak efficiency between scheduled pump-outs. Best suited for high-volume operations where grease accumulation is rapid — think fried chicken chains, shawarma shops, and hotel breakfast kitchens.
Price range: AED 8,000–18,000 depending on capacity
How to Choose the Right One
- Check your flow rate: Count the number of sinks, dishwashers, and floor drains connected to the grease line
- Know your menu: Heavy frying = bigger trap. Salads and sandwiches = smaller trap
- Measure your space: Under-sink only works if you have the cabinet depth. Free-standing needs floor space
- Ask your municipality: DM, ADFSA, and Sharjah Municipality each have specific requirements
- Plan for cleaning access: If technicians cannot reach the trap easily, cleaning takes longer and costs more
We Supply and Install All Types
We stock AG1 through AG5, Type B and Type C traps, and automatic GRUs. Every installation includes a site survey, sizing calculation, and DM-compliant documentation. We serve all seven UAE emirates.
Call +971 58 570 7110 to book a survey. Already have a trap that needs service? Check our cleaning services or bio-dosing systems to extend time between pump-outs.
Questions? Visit our FAQ page or see our full services list.