3 Reasons Why Grease Is Bad for Drains

We know it’s messy and a hassle. But putting your cooking grease drain down the drain is a bad idea! Here are three reasons why.

1. Cooking grease solidifies as soon as it cools: This means you’re pouring a solid down your drain. You take the time to discard larger food chunks and baked-on scraps before cleaning a pot or pan, and the same (if not more) consideration needs to be given to grease. If you don’t, you’ll be liable to deal with reason number two.
2. It forms a sludge that traps other debris: Just minutes after it’s poured down the drain, you could very well be on your way to a clogged drain. But if the grease alone isn’t enough, the sticky, thick sludge it creates will plug up the trap. Any other debris that goes down the drain can get hung up and contribute to an even bigger problem.
3. You’ll eventually need a professional to clean it: Continue this process over a long period, and no amount of chemical de-clogger or light-duty snaking is going to save your pipes. You’ll be forced to call in a professional to see how far the damage has spread before finding a solution. This can be a costly problem and one that affects other systems throughout your home.

Now that we’ve set the tone, how about some answers to these commonly asked questions regarding grease and drains?

Can You Pour Hot Oil Down the Drain?

No! As we mentioned, once the oil cools down, it will form a hard sludge that will stick to your pipe walls and trap other debris.

Can Room Temperature Oil Go Down the Drain?

Oils at room temperature might seem more harmless, but they’re still a hazard when it comes to your pipes. Just think about how hard it is to clean them up after a spill on the floor. The last thing you want to do is coat your pipes with this.

Can You Put Grease in the Garbage Disposal?

For the same reasons we don’t put it down the drain, you shouldn’t put cooking grease or oils in your garbage disposal either. Especially considering a large amount of debris that runs through there.

How to Dispose of Cooking Oil

The best way to dispose of cooking oil is to let it cool and then scrape them into a garbage can. Or, while still hot, they can be poured into a can or jar to cool before being thrown away. Smaller amounts of oil can also be cleaned up with a heavy-duty paper towel straight out of the pan.

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