Systems and methods for collecting fats, oils, and grease from updraft ventilators

A method of capturing and disposing of fats, oil and/or grease, the method comprising the steps of:

• positioning an updraft ventilator in flow communication with a source of airflow having fats, oils, and/or grease entrained therein, wherein:
• the enclosure of the updraft ventilator includes a curb cap, a hood band positioned above the curb cap, and a wind band surrounding and spaced away from the hood band;
• collectively, the lower part of the hood band and the wind band define a duct;
• and
• collectively, a lower part of the wind band and the curb cap define a bowl positioned below the duct;
• providing a porous container formed of a porous fabric filled with an absorbent material capable of absorbing a quantity of the fats, oil, and/or grease through the porous fabric of the porous container;
• placing the porous container and the absorbent material contained therein in an enclosure of the updraft ventilator;
• operating the updraft ventilator to draw the airflow having fats, oils, and/or grease entrained therein through the enclosure such that it contacts the porous container;
• allowing the porous container to fill up with at least one of fats, oil, and/or grease;
• and
• after a period of time, removing the porous container from the updraft ventilator.