What is a Soak Tank?

A soak tank is a cleaning system that uses water and a cleaning solution to loosen and remove grease, oil, food residue, and carbon buildup from equipment. Soak tanks are commonly used in commercial kitchens to clean removable items such as pots, pans, hood filters, fry baskets, baking trays, and grill grates.

There are two main types of soak tanks: heated and unheated. Both rely on soaking, but heated soak tanks use controlled water temperatures to help break down stubborn grease and carbon deposits more effectively.

A commercial heated soak tank, such as the FOG Tank®, combines heated water with a specially formulated cleaning solution. Kitchen equipment is submerged in the tank and left to soak while the solution works to remove accumulated grease and carbon buildup, without manual scrubbing.

Unlike traditional cleaning methods that require repeated scrubbing or frequent dishwasher cycles, a heated soak tank can help commercial kitchens reduce labor, water consumption, and cleaning time.

While both heated and unheated soak tanks are designed to clean equipment through soaking, the primary difference is temperature and how it affects the cleaning process.

Unheated Soak Tanks

Unheated soak tanks use water and a cleaning solution at or near room temperature. They can be useful for soaking items with lighter grease and food residue. However, stubborn carbon buildup and heavily baked-on grease may require longer soaking times, additional cleaning steps, or manual scrubbing, depending on the solution used.

Heated Soak Tanks

Heated soak tanks use controlled heat alongside a specialized cleaning solution to help break down grease, fats, oils, and carbon deposits. Heat can accelerate the cleaning process, making heated systems particularly useful for commercial kitchens handling heavily soiled cookware and equipment.

The FOG Tank® is a commercial heated soak tank that operates at temperatures up to 185°F. Combined with our proprietary Tiger Carbon Remover Powder, it removes stubborn grease and carbon buildup without manual scrubbing.

FOG Tanks can clean removable commercial kitchen equipment, including hood filters, pots, pans, fry baskets, baking trays, and grill grates. Depending on the item and level of buildup, soaking times can range from approximately 10 minutes to several hours.

A commercial heated soak tank can clean a wide variety of removable kitchen equipment that accumulates grease, oil, food residue, and carbon buildup.

The FOG Tank® is designed to clean the following equipment without manual scrubbing:

Commercial Kitchen Hood Filters

Remove accumulated grease and oil from removable stainless steel kitchen exhaust hood filters.

Pots and Pans

Clean cookware affected by baked-on grease, carbon buildup, and food residue.

Fryer Baskets

Remove stubborn grease and carbon deposits from commercial deep fryer baskets.

Sheet Pans and Baking Trays

Clean baking trays and sheet pans used in restaurants, bakeries, and commercial food preparation.

Pizza Screens and Pans

Remove grease and baked-on residue from removable pizza screens and pans.

Removable Oven Racks and Grill Grates

Clean oven racks, BBQ grill grates, and other compatible removable cooking equipment.

The size and material of the equipment determine which FOG Tank model is appropriate. Always confirm material compatibility and tank dimensions before soaking.

Want to see more examples? Explore our complete guide to what you can clean in a FOG Tank, including additional commercial kitchen equipment and cleaning applications.

Choosing the right commercial soak tank depends on the equipment you need to clean, the available kitchen space, and your cleaning requirements. Here are several important factors to consider.

Equipment Size and Capacity

Consider the dimensions of the largest items you regularly clean, including hood filters, pots, pans, baking trays, and grill grates. The tank must be large enough to accommodate the equipment safely.

Heated vs. Unheated Cleaning

Heated soak tanks use controlled heat and cleaning chemistry to remove grease and carbon buildup. Traditional unheated soak tanks generally require longer soaking periods for heavily soiled equipment and often use caustic cleaning solutions.

Available Kitchen Space

Measure the area where the soak tank will be installed. FOG Tanks are available in multiple sizes, including compact models designed to fit beneath the drainboard of a standard three-compartment sink.

Cleaning Requirements

Consider the types of grease and carbon buildup your kitchen encounters, how frequently equipment needs cleaning, and whether the system requires manual scrubbing. FOG Tanks are designed to eliminate manual scrubbing.

Rental and Purchase Options

Consider whether renting or purchasing makes more sense for your business. FOG Tank offers both options, allowing commercial kitchens to select an arrangement that fits their operational needs.

What is a soak tank used for?

A soak tank is used to remove grease, oil, food residue, and carbon buildup from removable equipment. Commercial kitchens use soak tanks to clean items such as pots, pans, hood filters, fryer baskets, and baking trays.

How does a heated soak tank work?

A heated soak tank combines heated water with a cleaning solution to loosen and remove grease and carbon deposits. Equipment is submerged in the tank and left to soak while the cleaning solution works.

How long does equipment need to soak in a FOG Tank?

Cleaning times depend on the equipment and the amount of buildup. Some items can be cleaned in as little as 10 minutes, while heavily soiled equipment may require several hours.

Do heated soak tanks require manual scrubbing?

The FOG Tank cleaning process does not require manual scrubbing. Its combination of heated water and proprietary Tiger Carbon Remover Powder removes grease and carbon buildup through soaking.

What temperature does a FOG Tank operate at?

FOG Tanks operate at temperatures up to 185°F, using heated water and a specially formulated cleaning solution to clean commercial kitchen equipment.

Can you rent a commercial heated soak tank?

Yes. FOG Tank offers both rental and purchase options for commercial kitchens. Available options depend on the tank model and your business requirements.

Ready to simplify commercial kitchen equipment cleaning?

FOG Tank® heated soak tanks remove grease and carbon buildup without manual scrubbing. With multiple tank sizes and rental or purchase options available, our team can help you find the right system for your kitchen.

Explore our FOG Tank models or contact us to discuss your cleaning requirements and request pricing.