Frequently Asked Question

Where can I get replacement fluid boxes?

Refer to the label on the inside of the GreasePak dosing unit door, and on the front of the empty 5L fluid box for your dealer's number. The dealer should be able to supply you with replacement fluid boxes. If you cannot contact the dealer, contact Mechline on 01908 261511, and we will contact the dealer for you. Please have the serial number of your dosing unit ready when you call.

How long should a 5L GreasePaK fluid box last?

On the medium setting (number 2) a 5L box of GreasePaK fluid should last approximately 28 days. If the dosing unit is adjusted to deliver a higher dose each night, the fluid will not last as long.

How should I clean my GreasePaK dosing unit?

GreasePaK is designed to be easy to clean. Do not use harsh cleaning chemicals or abrasives. Simply wipe the unit over with a clean disposable cloth and fresh water.

My GreasePaK showed ‘EMPTY' in the fluid level window, but there was still a little fluid left in the box when I lifted it out.

GreasePaK is designed to deliver a couple of doses after ‘EMPTY' shows in the fluid level window, to give you time to order replacement fluid. Each fluid box is slightly overfilled to compensate for this.

I have lost the keys for my GreasePaK dosing Unit, can I get replacements?

Yes. The keys for all GreasePaK dosing units are interchangeable. Please contact Mechline for a replacement set.

Is the GreasePaK fluid safe for my kitchen?

Yes. MSGD contains a blend of aerobic and facultatively anaerobic bacteria which have been specially selected to break down the organic material that is found in commercial kitchen waste. Armed with a powerful battery of grease-degrading enzymes, they are all classified by the Advisory Committee on Dangerous Pathogens (ACDP) as category 1, i.e. they are of extremely low or no hazard.

Are there any special storage or handling requirements for the fluid? Does it have a shelf life?

GreasePaK fluid is a perfectly safe class 1 fluid, and there are no special handling requirements. It should be stored in a cool, dry place away from direct sunlight. The fluid's shelf life is a minimum of 18 months, as long as it is stored as above.

At what temperature should the GreasePaK fluid (GreasePaK MSGD 3x5) be stored?

GreasePaK MSGD fluid should ideally be kept at temperatures between 5°C and 35°C. The microbial make up of the fluid will survive temperatures up to 50°C, but anything above 35°C can compromise the effective performance of the product.

How long does the battery last?

The battery should last from 18 to 24 months. The low battery warning light will begin to flash around 1 month before completely running out. It only flashes during daylight hours when someone is around to see it, in order to preserve power. Contact Mechline for a replacement battery pack (part number GP-BP) as soon as you see the low battery light flashing. SPECIAL NOTE: when installing the new battery it is critical to follow each step in the instructions provided with the new battery. Step 8 is crucial. The unit will need to be re-primed by pressing OPEN & CLOSE on the PCB board. An audible click will be heard and be sure CLOSE is pressed last.

If your GreasePaK has the words ‘Power On' on the front cover, then it is the optional mains-powered model and will not require the battery changing.

Where can I install the GreasePaK in my kitchen?

Because GreasePaK is battery powered, and does not require water or a mains electrical connection, it can be sited almost anywhere in the kitchen. For optimum performance, refer to the Location Advice sheet in the GreasePaK section of this web site.

Can I use GreasePaK instead of a grease trap?

GreasePaK can be used either as a standalone grease management system, or in conjunction with a grease trap. Always check with your local authority before installation. Where GreasePaK is used to dose into a grease trap, the trap will require emptying far less often.

Can I change the fluid delivery settings on my GreasePaK?

Yes. Refer to the installation sheet in the GreasePaK section of this web site. However, changing the dosing level will affect how often refill fluid will need to be ordered. Please contact us on 01908 267717 to ask for advice.

The GreasePaK keeps emptying the 5L fluid box within a couple of hours.

GreasePaK uses a latching valve (latches in either the open or close position) to control the flow of fluid. Each GreasePaK dosing unit is tested before it leaves our factory, and the latching valve is set to the CLOSED position. It is possible in extreme circumstances that the valve could jump to the OPEN position, if for example the box is dropped on delivery. This is not a problem as long as the installer follows installation sheet stage 8 and presses the OPEN and then CLOSE button to prime the unit and then close the latching valve.

The latching valve, and the OPEN and CLOSE buttons are situated inside the GreasePaK dosing unit, under the electronics cover.

GreasePaK uses a latching valve (latches in either the open or close position) to control the flow of fluid. Each GreasePaK dosing unit is tested before it leaves our factory, and the latching valve is set to the CLOSED position. It is possible in extreme circumstances that the valve could get stuck in the CLOSED position, if for example the box is dropped on delivery.

The latching valve, and the OPEN and CLOSE buttons are situated inside the GreasePaK dosing unit, under the electronics cover.

Remove the 5L fluid box and the electronics cover from the dosing unit, and press the OPEN button and then the CLOSE button. You should be able to hear a CLICK sound as the valve opens and shuts. If you cannot hear a CLICK, try gently tapping the side of the valve while at the same time pushing the OPEN and then CLOSE buttons.

Make sure you push the CLOSE button last.

Hang a full 5L fluid box in the dosing unit. A small amount of fluid should run down inside the clear tube from the box to the latching valve, but check that none runs down the clear tube into the drain.

My building drains are not connected to main sewage. Can I use GreasePaK with a remote aerobic or anaerobic (Septic) sewage system?
Generally, GreasePaK fluid is helpful to these systems, and some technical detail is provided below. For more advice, contact Mechline.

Aerobic Systems

These tend to have three sections, a primary tank, an aerobic zone and a tertiary tank.

The primary tank is where larger solids settle out, whereas the aerobic zone is where aerobic bacteria break down any organic solids. Aerobic conditions are maintained by the introduction of forced air or by the rotation of disks within the effluent. The tertiary tank allows for any final settlement before water is discharged.

If grease enters this system untreated it will quickly cause major overload to the primary tank, as it tends to float rather than settle out. Left unchecked this grease can then foul the aerobic zone either by coating the filter disks or blocking air gaps in the filter medium. This can result in severe system failure and all that implies.

The introduction of GreasePaK fluid into the effluent stream quickly breaks up the complex grease molecules into much smaller molecules and soluble compounds. This greatly reduces the problems described above and the chances of system failure.

Anaerobic (Septic) Systems
These systems rely upon the action of bacteria that do not require oxygen to break down organic solids, and are less complicated as they do not require the maintenance associated with the aeration of aerobic systems. However, the down-side is that they are slower in action and are not suited to larger sites.

The introduction of grease into a septic system would cause many problems, not least the fact that the crust on the top of a tank must be permeable to allow the passage of the gases created by the action of the bacteria. The presence of large quantities of grease would reduce crust mobility and therefore the effectiveness of the tank.

As with the aerobic system, the bacteria contained in GreasePaK fluid break down the fats and grease found in commercial waste, thus greatly reducing the chances of grease-related compounds. In addition, the facultatively anaerobic GreasePaK fluid bacteria added to the mix reduce sludge build-up and therefore tank emptying frequency.

If you are unsure about any of the advice given on this web site, or if you require advice on any subjects not covered, contact Mechline 01908 261511.

How does GreasePaK MSGD fluid work?

For commercial kitchens to meet current legislation, they are obliged to have a system in place to manage their grease disposal. UK Building Regulations 2000, amended in April 2002, state that:

Foul Water Drainage/The Requirement
This Approved Document, which took effect on 1 April 2002, deals with the following Requirement, which is contained in the Building Regulations 2000 (as amended by SI 2001/3335).

2.21 Drainage serving kitchens in commercial hot food premises should be fitted with a grease separator complying with prEN 1825-1 and designed in accordance with prEN 1825-2 or other effective means of grease removal.

Mechline’s fluid, GreasePaK MSGD, is an “effective means of grease removal” as required by the Building Regulations. It uses a blend of specially selected microorganisms that have been chosen for their ability to degrade fats, oils and grease (FOGs) in low oxygen conditions and varying pH’s.

These bacteria produce a series of extra-cellular enzymes that break down organic matter, including lipase, which can very quickly transform fats (triglycerides) into glycerol and free fatty acids. Glycerol is very soluble in water and being a small molecule, can pass easily into the bacterial cells, where it is used either to build new cellular structures, or as a fuel to produce energy for growth.

The free fatty acids present more of a problem, as they are large insoluble molecules. The action of the lipase has only converted one type of large insoluble molecule (the triglycerides) into other large insoluble molecules (free fatty acids). Visually, in a drainage situation, the scale of the problem may have diminished or the characteristics of the fatty material may have changed at this point, but the problem will not yet have been fully resolved.

The specially selected bacteria in the Mechline GreasePaK fluid are able to degrade these free fatty acids by a process known as ß-oxidation, in which chunks are broken off the end of the fatty acid molecule. These chunks can again be used as a building block to produce new structures, or more usually, energy. The breakdown of fatty acids is not an instantaneous process, as the physical form of the fatty acids, being large and insoluble, means that it takes some time (commonly called “residence time”) for the bacteria to “get to grips” with them. This is why GreasePaK fluid is dosed at night, when there is no water flow, allowing the bacteria time to do their work.

Once the fats are broken up by the lipase they cannot chemically reform back into triglycerides. The subsequent breakdown of the fatty acids through ß-oxidation ensures the “grease,” which may actually consist of a variety of insoluble materials, can pass through drainage systems without causing any problems traditionally associated with fats, oils and grease (FOGs).

Mechline GreasePaK effects the “removal of grease” from drainage systems—keeping drains clear and odour-free and meeting the requirements of the Building Regulations, using an environmentally friendly and non-hazardous fluid.

What is the standard warranty for GreasePaK?

As described above, most of Mechline’s equipment is guaranteed for a period of 12 months from the date of invoice, against defective parts or faulty workmanship. For Mechline’s Warranty and Returns Policy, please visit: http:///www.mechline.com/pdf/policies/warranty-returns-policy.pdf

With regards to GreasePaK, the dosing module is covered by Mechline’s standard warranty policy. However, the fluid has a shelf life of 18 months and the master box should be used within 3 months under normal dosing conditions. The fluid is not a warrantable commodity and neither is the battery, which should have a shelf life of 18-24 months. These are basic “consumable” goods and not subject to warranty.

What procedures should be taken if the product leaks and/or comes into contact with skin, eyes, etc?

GreasePaK MSGD fluid is a completely safe, Class 1 non-hazardous fluid. No harm will come from touching it or coming into contact with the fabric of the building-merely wash off the fluid with cool, clean water.

Avoid ingestion of liquid and avoid contact with eyes. In case of contact with skin or eyes, rinse thoroughly with clean cool water. Should eye irritation continue, seek medical advice.

In case of ingestion, DO NOT induce vomiting. Seek medical advice.

Can I change the time when the dosing module doses the fluid into the drain?

Yes. It is possible to change the time for when the dosing module will release the fluid into the drain. From the factory, the time is set to dose at 1:00 AM, every morning. To change the time, simply remove the electronics cover (the L-shaped cover in the bottom right-hand corner inside the module). This is easily removed by unscrewing the screws holding the cover to the unit with a screwdriver. Follow the instructions found inside the cover. Carefully replace the electronics cover after completion, taking care to position the low battery light.

Why use the reset button? What is its purpose?

The reset button will reactivate the clock's ‘start' and ‘volume' buttons if they become locked. This can sometimes happen if the battery has been allowed to run flat. Replacing the battery may not automatically unlock the clock's ‘start' and ‘volume' buttons. Once the new battery is installed, it may be necessary to push the ‘reset' button before restarting the dosing unit.

Reset Button

Should the reset button be used when a new battery is installed?

Replacing the battery may not automatically unlock the clock's ‘start' and ‘volume' buttons. Once the new battery is installed, it may be necessary to push the ‘reset' button before restarting the dosing unit.

I notice residual fluid in my GreasePaK fluid box. Is it using up all the fluid? Have I changed the fluid too early?

Only change the fluid box when the word EMPTY shows clearly through the window. This ensures the most efficient use of the full 5 litres per box. The design of the bag and valve is engineered to provide good flow, using gravity, to match the dosing level set by the module. It is very difficult to completely drain any bag of all its fluid, therefore, we slightly overfill each bag to compensate and make sure that every customer gets the full 5 litres from each bag. Drainage wedges are also fitted to the inside of each box to ensure that a ‘V' shape is formed under the bag whilst the bag empties to assist draining.