Grease Recovery Unit Servicing

Grease Recovery Unit Servicing

Grease Recovery Unit (GRU) Servicing for Commercial Kitchens & Hospitality (London & Home Counties)

Grease Recovery Units (GRUs) are a key part of modern grease management for busy commercial kitchens. When they’re serviced properly, they help reduce fat, oil and grease (FOG) entering the drainage system, lowering the risk of blockages, back-ups, and costly emergency call-outs.

But GRUs are not “fit and forget”. If servicing is missed, a GRU can become ineffective, start to smell, overflow, or allow FOG to pass through into the pipework — which defeats the point of having one installed.

ICE Drainage provides grease recovery unit servicing across London and the Home Counties, supporting restaurants, hotels, pubs, bars, schools, stadiums, and facilities management (FM) teams.

To book GRU servicing or set up a planned maintenance schedule, call 0203 376 4801 or email contactus@icedrainage.co.uk.

What Is a Grease Recovery Unit (GRU)?

A Grease Recovery Unit is a mechanical system designed to separate and recover FOG from kitchen wastewater before it enters the drainage network.

Depending on the unit type and installation, a GRU may:

• Separate grease from wastewater using internal baffles and flow control

• Skim or recover grease into a collection container

• Use heating elements to keep grease in a recoverable state

• Use automated or semi-automated recovery cycles

GRUs are commonly installed in:

• Restaurants and hotel kitchens

• Food courts and multi-tenant catering sites

• High-volume production kitchens

• Stadiums, arenas, and event venues

• Schools, colleges, and catering facilities

Why GRU Servicing Matters

A poorly maintained GRU can lead to:

• FOG passing into the drainage system (increased blockage risk)

• Overflows and local flooding in kitchen areas

• Bad odours and hygiene issues

• Reduced flow and restrictions upstream/downstream

• Increased reactive call-outs and downtime

• Shortened equipment lifespan

Regular servicing helps keep the unit effective and supports a wider grease management strategy.

Signs Your GRU Needs Servicing

You may need grease recovery unit servicing if you’re noticing:

• Persistent odours near the unit or kitchen drains

• Slow drainage or recurring blockages

• Grease visible in downstream chambers or pipework

• Overflowing or high levels in the unit

• Alarms or faults on the control system (unit dependent)

• Staff reporting that the unit is “not working like it used to”

If a site is experiencing repeat FOG issues, the GRU is one of the first assets to check.

Our Grease Recovery Unit Servicing Service

We deliver servicing in a practical, hospitality-first way — planned around your operating hours.

1) Site review and safe access planning

We confirm the GRU location, access requirements, and any site-specific controls (inductions, permits, isolation requirements).

2) Cleaning and removal of recovered grease

We clean the unit and remove recovered grease and waste safely, helping restore performance and reduce odours.

3) Functional checks (unit dependent)

Where applicable, we check key operational components such as:

• Skimming/recovery mechanisms

• Collection containers and seals

• Heating elements (if fitted)

• Timers/controls (if fitted)

• Inlet/outlet condition and flow path

4) Observations and recommendations

We flag issues that can cause poor performance, including:

• Incorrect usage or housekeeping issues

• Excess solids entering the unit

• Signs of bypass or poor separation

• Upstream/downstream restrictions nIf required, we can recommend additional drainage cleaning to remove existing FOG build-up in the pipework.

5) Reporting for FM and compliance

For managed sites and multi-site operators, we can provide clear reporting that supports:

• Maintenance records and audit trails

• Budget planning and approvals

• Contractor management

• Evidence of proactive grease management

Planned Preventative Maintenance (PPM) for GRUs

Most GRUs perform best with a planned servicing schedule based on:

• Kitchen volume and peak trading periods

• Type of cuisine and grease load

• Unit size and design

• Historic drainage issues

A planned programme helps:

• Reduce emergency call-outs

• Keep kitchens operational

• Improve hygiene and reduce odours

• Extend equipment lifespan

• Support compliance and landlord/FM requirements

GRU Servicing for Facilities Management (FM) & Multi-Site Hospitality

If you manage multiple venues, consistent GRU servicing helps standardise performance and reduce reactive incidents.

We support FM teams with:

• Planned servicing schedules across sites

• Out-of-hours options to minimise disruption

• Clear scopes and reporting

• Reactive support if a unit fails or overflows

Why Choose ICE Drainage?

• Hospitality-focused drainage and grease management support

• London & Home Counties coverage

• Planned and reactive capability

• Clear reporting for stakeholders

• Credentials: Safe Contractor, SSSTS, Constructionline Gold

ICE Drainage is a specialist service expansion of ICE Cleaning, a leading sewage cleaning company in the UK.

Book Grease Recovery Unit Servicing

To arrange grease recovery unit servicing or set up a planned maintenance schedule, call 0203 376 4801 or email contactus@icedrainage.co.uk.

Common searches we support include:

• grease recovery unit servicing

• GRU maintenance

• commercial kitchen GRU service

• FOG management servicing

• restaurant grease recovery unit cleaning

Speak to ICE Drainage today and we’ll help keep your GRU working properly — and your drainage protected.