You’ve probably been warned at some point in your life that pouring grease down the drain is a bad idea. Everyone has their lazy days, though, and you’ve probably ignored this warning in favor of a quick cleanup. Pouring trace amounts of grease down the drain once, while not a good thing, probably won’t cause any serious blockages in your pipes, but if you frequently dispose of cooking oil and other grease deposits in the sink, then you have a problem building in your pipes.

Many people think that running hot water down the drain will keep grease from sticking, but unfortunately that’s not entirely true. Oil may be going into your drain as a liquid but as it cools and trails through your pipes, it starts to solidify. When the grease has cooled, it often sticks to the surface of the pipes, eventually causing buildup.

GARBAGE DISPOSALS AND GREASE

A misguided thought people often have is that it’s okay to pour grease down a garbage disposal. The garbage disposal does not have a special mechanism inside of it that destroys the grease, and the blades won’t have much effect either. Instead, the blades will become less effective after repeated coatings of grease.

A few warning signs that will alert you of an impending blocked drain include slow drainage, gurgling noises coming from the drain, and a bad smell. If you can’t seem to get rid of the clog yourself, call in a plumber to take care of the problem.

PROPER WAYS TO DISPOSE OF GREASE

If you were cooking bacon or hamburger and only have a little amount of grease in a pan, let it sit out on the stove while you eat your meal. Once the grease has solidified, use a spatula or paper towel to wipe out the mess and throw it in the garbage can and don’t pour the grease or oil down the drain.

Keeping a can or jar specifically for collecting grease is another option people use. This method works best if you often cook greasy food or if you have large amounts to dispose of at once. Simply drain your pan or dish of oil into a can and let it solidify. If the can is large enough, you don’t have to throw it out right away either. Put a lid on it and set it in the corner of the fridge for future use. Once it’s full, place it in the garbage can.

These are really the two best methods for getting rid of your extra oil rather than pouring grease down the drain. Do not try composting it. The grease will only make your pile smell and attract animals.