Abstract: A grease recovery unit, particularly for use in a food service establishment, for separating oily substances from water in waste food has an inlet 2 connected via a valve 26 to a strainer 24, where solids are collected. The valve 26 is interlinked with the strainer 24 so that the valve closes the inlet 2 when the strainer 24 is removed. Oily substances from the food waste is separated from water by at least one hydrocyclone 30. Water that is separated is passed out of outlet 4 and the oily substances are passed into a collector 3. Fatty substances in the oily substances are held in a fluid state by a silicon heater pad 60.