You've been cooking all evening and now you want to finally enjoy your meal, but there's still oil in the pan.
What do you do? Just pour a little bit down the drain? Just this once? Just quickly?
According to one plumber, this thoughtless action could cost you £500. Experts from Magnet Kitchens have teamed up with plumber Tom Watts to warn people about the dangers of pouring oil down the drain.
Watts said: “Fatty oils and grease disposed of down kitchen drains will dry out and solidify, causing severe blockages in your pipes. This puts your sink and all appliances (dishwashers, washing machines and boilers) in your kitchen at risk of damage.
“Once the oil has solidified, the blockages can no longer be removed with a plunger. A plumber must then come and remove the blockages with expensive machines, either a vacuum cleaner or a drain cleaning machine.”
The plumber warned that you could pay £250 or more for the blockage and the time it takes to clear it. He added that if the pipework is beyond repair due to permanent damage, you could face costs of over £500 to completely replace the pipes.
How to dispose of fats and fatty oils correctly
The experts at Magnet Kitchens also warn against this dirty habit. They advise: “Instead of pouring the grease down the sink, collect it in a container or empty it into a separate trash can and dispose of it once it has cooled and solidified.”
Also, keep in mind that frying oil can be reused many times, so once sealed, store it in a cool, dark place until the next time you need it.
How to protect your drains
Magnet recommends not pouring grease and fatty oils down the drain, along with these three tips to ensure you don't damage your sewage system.
Buy a strainer or filter for your sink drain
Most kitchen sinks come with a strainer or filter to prevent larger food particles or grease from getting into the pipes. However, to prevent your pipes from becoming clogged, installing a larger filter is a good option.
Once food scraps or leftovers have accumulated in it, simply remove the sieve and empty the contents into your compost bin.
Make sure to scrape food scraps from plates and cutlery into the trash can
It may seem convenient to rinse away small food particles before cleaning plates and cutlery, but even the smallest bits of food can cause a blockage and over time, a large buildup of solidified food particles can build up in your drainage system.
To avoid this, simply scrape food scraps from plates and kitchen utensils into a trash can rather than the sink.
Clean your sinks and drains regularly
If you have noticed a change in your drainage system, the best thing to do is flush your sink with a mixture of baking soda and vinegar. This mixture will help dissolve any existing grease and prevent clogs. Then simply pour boiling water into your sink to remove any remaining residue.
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