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Mitchells & Butlers: Managing High-Density Grease Contamination
- Cleaning frequency reduced from 17 weeks to 6 months
- Labour frequency and costs reduced
- Continuous TR19 compliance maintained
- Riser system: 5+ years without cleaning required (installed September 2019)
- Non-accessible riser managed without manual cleaning
Mitchells & Butlers operates numerous restaurant pubs throughout the UK, many producing particularly heavy grease contamination due to high-fat foods cooked on chargrills. This cooking method produces vast amounts of FOGs (Fats, Oils, and Grease) deposited throughout kitchen extract systems. The group needed a solution for problem sites where standard cleaning couldn't effectively manage contamination levels while maintaining TR19 compliance.
The Challenge
This busy restaurant pub operates chargrills and fryers producing heavy grease loads. The site includes a non-accessible vertical riser that presented cleaning challenges. Originally, the system required cleaning every 17 weeks to maintain compliance. The heavy contamination from chargrill cooking meant frequent labour-intensive visits were necessary, driving up costs while the non-accessible riser posed ongoing management difficulties.
The Solution
Ecofix was installed throughout the extraction system - canopy, ductwork (up to three metres) and the non-accessible riser. Spray bars in the canopy dose the cooking area. Kitchen staff empty the returns collecting runoff as part of their daily routine. The ductwork gets bio additive and detergent dosing that stops contamination bonding with surfaces. The riser system (centraliser) sprays ductwork surfaces at regular intervals during busy periods, using detergent only.
The Results
Cleaning frequency extended from 17 weeks to 6 months with an interim inspection. Contamination struggles to bond with ductwork surfaces, significantly reducing grease load. GTL measurements show sections stay below TR19 trigger limits - even before cleaning. The canopy, ductwork (1-3 metres), and spigot above fryers all measure below cleaning thresholds between services.
The riser performance has been exceptional. TR19 guidance recommends cleaning every 18 months. Since installation in September 2019, the riser went over 5 years without manual cleaning - GTL remained below trigger limits. Measurements are taken every visit and monitored for compliance.
Key Benefits
Ecofix successfully manages this high-contamination kitchen extract system while reducing servicing frequency and labour costs. The automated system maintains continuous TR19 compliance, prevents contamination bonding, and eliminates the challenge of cleaning non-accessible risers. The project demonstrates how automated grease management delivers long-term compliance and cost savings in heavy-duty cooking environments.