Properly Disposing of Cooking Fats and Oils

There can be many reasons a kitchen sink drain will clog, but grease and old cooking oil residue are the most common causes. This happens when hot fat or grease cools as it slides down the drain. As it becomes colder, it hardens along the walls of the pipe, which will eventually lead to blockages and slower drain time.

Best Methods for Keeping Your Drain Free of Grease and Oils

Each year, cities all over the U.S. will experience sewer overflows because residents have improperly disposed of cooking fats and oils. Not only does this expose the general public to health risks, but it can cost a homeowner thousands of dollars in plumbing repairs. If you have a garbage disposal in your sink, be aware that it won't handle grease well. It's there to get leftover food particles. Always avoid pouring cooking oils or leftover fat or grease down the drain.

Consider these top tips for properly disposing of leftover grease:

Grease Belongs in the Garbage Can

The kitchen sink should be off-limits for grease and leftover cooking oil when cleaning up after dinner. Any greasy food scraps on your plate should go straight into your trash can and not your garbage disposal. Using a small strainer in your sink drain can also help catch additional greasy particles and prevent them from building up in your pipes.

Wipe Away Cooking Fat

After cooking bacon, hamburgers, or other fatty meat products, you can leave the leftover oil or grease to cool down and solidify. This step makes it easy to wipe away that excess directly into your trash can and not risk clogging up your drain. It’s also a good habit to use a paper towel to wipe away any greasy residue on pots and pans before giving them a proper wash.

Collect Leftover Oil and Grease in a Soup Can

Oil won't firm up quite like grease does after it cools down, but you can still contain the mess by pouring it into a repurposed small container like a spaghetti sauce jar. Once it’s full, just toss it into the garbage on your way to take it out to the curb.

You Accidentally Spilled Grease or Oil Down the Drain

The good news is that it takes more than just one spill to clog up your pipes! If you do suspect that there is oil or grease building up in your pipes (or if you've accidentally spilled some down the drain), boil water and pour it down the sink a few times a week. The heat will liquefy any grease lining your drainpipe and help move it farther along.

Another maintenance trick is vinegar, baking soda, and boiling water. This solution will break apart oil and fat residue while also making your drain smell better.

Consequences of Poor Grease Disposal Practices are Costly

When you pour grease down your kitchen drain regularly, you will eventually suffer a clog. The severity is hard to predict, but warning flags before a total blockage include:

• Poor drainage flow

• Gurgling sound when draining

• Bad odor

Once a blockage occurs, you risk sewage backing up from the point of the clog into your kitchen or other areas of your home. That’s right. Depending on the layout of your sewage plumbing, a blocked line could affect a laundry drain area, cause a toilet to overflow all over your bathroom, and more.

Schedule a Dumpster Rental for Sewer Damage Repairs

Cleanup and repairs following a sewage overflow are very costly due to the toxic materials in sewage. If you have wooden floors and they are affected by a sewer backup, you will not only have to pay for clean up and sanitation, but possibly have to replace it all. That means hiring plumbers, carpenters, and probably renting a dumpster to manage all the debris from the repair.

Bin There Dump That provides top-notch dumpster rental services, including sweeping up the area where the bin sat on your driveway. No one cares about customer experience the way we do! Call us at 732-313-2838 or book a dumpster online today. Check out our blog for additional tips and tricks to maximize the benefits of your dumpster rental experience!