[Case Study] Nursery Kitchen Grease Trap Odor Control | AIC

CASE STUDY: NURSERY SCHOOLS & SCHOOL LUNCHES (NAGANO PREFECTURE)

Ultimate “Cleanliness" and “Safety" for Facilities Preparing Meals for Children. Fundamentally Solving Grease Trap Odors and Fats with Ozone

Installed Model: AIC Grease Ozonizer

#AIC Grease Ozonizer
#Food Factory HACCP
#Odor Control
#Cleaning & Labor Reduction
#Nursery Schools & Childcare
#Outdoor Installation
#Small-Scale Facilities
#Residential & Urban Areas

■ Challenges Before Installation: The “Distinctive Odor" Drifting in the Kitchen and Harsh Cleaning Work

At a nursery school in Nagano Prefecture, the distinctive bad odor generated from the grease trap in the school lunch kitchen was the biggest concern. The smell was particularly strong during the summer, raising concerns about its impact on the spaces where children and staff spent their time. Furthermore, the harsh daily manual cleaning required to prevent clogging from massive amounts of fats and oils was a significant burden on the staff.

⚠️ Serious Concerns Faced On-Site

  • Deterioration of the Hygienic Environment: Bad odors caused by the putrefaction of fats and oils, and the risk of pest outbreaks.
  • Increased Cleaning Burden: The heavy labor of removing scum (chunks of fat and oil).
  • Environmental Consideration: Suppressing the outflow of oil into the sewer system and managing compliance with HACCP.
Dirty grease trap in a nursery school kitchen in Nagano

(Photo: Grease trap with accumulated fats and oils before installation)

■ The Decisive Factor: Decomposing Fats and Oils with Ozone Alone, “Without Using Chemicals"

In a facility where meals for children are prepared, there was a strong intention to avoid using harsh chemical agents. The AIC Grease Ozonizer decomposes fats and oils using only the oxidizing power of ozone (O3) generated from the air, ultimately returning to oxygen (O2). This “ultimate safety" was the decisive factor in its adoption.

■ Effects After Installation: Astonishing “Immediate Efficacy" and Dramatic Improvement in Water Quality

After installation, what surprised everyone on-site was the speed. Regarding the odor, they felt an immediate effect.

Within a few weeks, the accumulated chunks of fat and oil disappeared, and the cloudy water improved to a clear, “smooth" state. The air in the entire kitchen became clean, and the working environment for the staff improved dramatically.

  • ✅ Immediate Deodorizing Effect: Putrid odors were significantly reduced immediately after installation.
  • ✅ Massive Reduction in Labor: The heavy labor of scooping out oil decreased drastically.
  • ✅ Prevention of Drain Pipe Clogging: Prevents plumbing troubles by decomposing fats and oils.
Grease trap after installing the AIC Grease Ozonizer

(Photo: Surprisingly improved water quality after installation)

■ Installed Model Specifications

AIC Grease Ozonizer installed in a nursery school

(Photo: The actual unit installed in the kitchen of a nursery school in Nagano)

Product Name AIC Grease Ozonizer
Application Purification, deodorization, and sterilization of grease traps
Features No chemicals required, uses air as raw material, automatic operation, retrofittable
Effects Reduces cleaning burden by decomposing fats and oils, suppresses pests, prevents secondary contamination

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) for Those Considering Installation

Cleaning will not become “zero," but the burden of the work is dramatically reduced. While cleaning the residue basket for large vegetable scraps is necessary, the most laborious and unpleasant tasks—"scooping out fats and oils" and “removing sludge (scum) that accumulates at the bottom"—are significantly reduced, making management much easier.

It is extremely safe. Ozone uses oxygen in the air as a raw material and quickly returns to oxygen (O2) after the reaction. Because it works by dissolving tiny amounts in water to decompose fats and oils and does not use chemicals that leave residues, it is widely chosen for nursery schools and school lunch kitchens.

By reducing outsourced cleaning expenses and cutting staff labor costs (cleaning time), the investment can be recovered in a few years in many cases. In addition, because it prevents drainage pipe clogging troubles by decomposing fats and oils, the business merit of suppressing sudden repair costs is also very significant.

Yes, it is strongly recommended. In hygiene management based on HACCP, “environmental maintenance" to prevent the breeding of pests and bacteria is essential. Keeping the grease trap clean and cutting off the source of bad odors and pests plays a decisive role in preventing secondary contamination in the kitchen.

Insights from AIC Specialists: The Importance of “Preventive Hygiene" Required in Childcare Facilities

Hygiene management in a school lunch kitchen is not just about “making it clean." Not ignoring the “warning sign" of odors leads to “preventive hygiene," which thwarts the risks of pests and bacteria before they occur. By continuously supplying ozone 24 hours a day, the AIC Grease Ozonizer realizes a “proactive hygiene infrastructure" that gives dirt no chance to accumulate. We continue to support the health of the children who will lead the next generation from behind the scenes of school lunches.

Elevate the hygiene standards of your school lunch kitchen to the next level.
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* Can be retrofitted to existing catering facilities. No major construction is required.