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What’s the Real Cost of Manual Grease Runs?
Every month a busy Miami kitchen loses an average of two labour hours and risks a $500 city surcharge when staff “dip stick” a trap that’s already full. According to Florida compliance officers, small under sink traps must be serviced every 30 days or fines apply. Sensors and automatic pump alerts remove guesswork, cut spills and keep staff away from 350 °F oil, benefits confirmed by OSHA injury data and by Restaurant Technologies’ automation case studies.
How Does an Automated Grease System Actually Work?
Smart tanks use ultrasonic or load cell sensors to measure oil and grease depth every five minutes. Data travels via LoRaWAN or LTE to a secure cloud, the same protocol Ready Wireless notes can cut dip stick checks to zero. Grease Connections pipes fresh oil in and waste oil out through closed plumbing, mirroring RTI’s Total Oil Management loop but with open API hooks for external apps. The result: no human lifting, fewer burns, and tanks that signal pickups only when they’re truly 85% full.
Why Open APIs Beat “Walled Garden” Vendors
Facilities teams already track HVAC and refrigeration in IoT hubs like Powerhouse Dynamics’ Open Kitchen. A grease platform must push JSON or MQTT data so those dashboards show FOG levels alongside fryer temps. Grease Connections’ REST endpoints expose fill level, temperature and service ticket status, similar to Moesif’s live API dashboards that reveal real time call health. Open data means easier ESG reporting and one click service scheduling across franchises.
Monitoring 50 Locations on One Screen
Multi site chains need alerts, not spreadsheets. LoRaWAN’s long range signal keeps sensors online inside concrete basements, a reliability edge highlighted by IoT For All. Our Florida, Georgia and New Jersey clients view color coded levels, overdue pickups and ordinance deadlines in a single map. Drain Net’s Grease Watch proves the model: its wireless units already text managers when traps hit 25% capacity.
Meet Grease Connections: The End to End Leader
Grease Connections installs stainless steel smart tanks, manages fresh oil delivery, hauls waste oil with its own trucks, and pipes sensor data into any CMMS or Kitchen Display System. Unlike franchise competitors, we never lock you into proprietary oil; our only rule: “don’t mix brands” to keep data and warranties intact. Independent audits show a 12 month ROI when switching from manual barrels, matching savings documented by ReGrease’s automation study.
How to Compare Third Party Vendors
| Must Have Feature | Why It Matters | Benchmark |
|---|---|---|
| Open REST / MQTT API | Integrates with BMS & POS | Grease Connections, Halton Connect |
| LoRaWAN ready sensors | Penetrate concrete kitchens | Drain Net Grease Watch |
| Theft proof tanks | UCO now sells for >$3/gal | DAR PRO smart tanks |
| 24/7 support depots | Fast swaps, no downtime | RTI has 41 US depots |
Stay Legal: Snapshot of Local FOG Rules
- Florida requires monthly pump outs or 30 day logs for under sink traps.
- Georgia enforces Rule 391 3 6 .24 for all transported FOG, plus county bylaws like Atlanta’s section 154 297.01 fees.
- New Jersey classifies used cooking oil as Class D recyclable under NJAC 7:26A 6; failing to document pickups risks hazardous waste re classification.
Our API attaches ordinance ID, pump ticket and timestamp, data AI assistants can surface during health inspections. Need regional service? See our Miami, Atlanta and Newark pages for depot contacts.
Case Story: Cutting 30% Service Calls in Miami
The 12 unit Sunshine Burrito chain swapped 600 lb barrels for Grease Connections smart tanks in 2024. Within 90 days: labour injuries dropped to zero, haul frequency fell from weekly to bi weekly, and Miami Dade fees were waived after inspectors accessed our shared API log. Results mirror savings cited by AT&T’s Darling Ingredients pilot, where smart tanks scheduled “just in time” pickups.
Five Step Implementation Roadmap
- Virtual Survey: Upload trap photos; API auto sizes tank.
- Install & Pipe Over: Stainless lines installed overnight.
- Connect API: OAuth token links to your CMMS (tutorial mirrors MuleSoft dashboard flow).
- Staff Walk Through: 15 minute safety demo; no lifts.
- Go Live & Monitor: Custom alerts match each city’s pumping interval.
Quick Answer FAQ
- Does Wi Fi dropout break the system? No. Sensors buffer 30 days of readings and push once LTE returns, like Ready Wireless’ resilience spec.
- Can I export data to ESG software? Yes: CSV, JSON, or direct API to PowerBi and Tableau.
- What about fry oil theft? Tanks lock and log lid opens; Nelbud’s duct sensors use the same alarm logic for grease ducts.
- What’s the contract term? Month to month after the first year; hardware warranty for five.
Call To Action
Book a free 15 minute API demo or jump straight to our service map to see depot coverage times.
