Why You Should Avoid Pouring FOG (Fats, Oils, Grease) Down the Kitchen Sink

When we tell our clients to be careful with FOG, we don’t just mean while driving – we mean in the kitchen. Pouring fats, oils, and grease (FOG) down the kitchen sink can be harmful to your plumbing, not to mention your bank account. The substances can solidify in your pipes and can cause a clog

Why You Should Avoid Pouring FOG (Fats, Oils, Grease) Down the Kitchen Sink

Let’s dive into why disposing cooking oil or grease into the kitchen drain – or any drain, for that matter – is not a good idea and what you should do instead.

What happens when the grease goes down the drain?

The fat, oil, or grease you pour down the kitchen starts as a fluid, but it doesn’t stay that way. In a matter of minutes, the grease cools down and solidifies – in your precious pipes. 

Now that the grease is solid, it now becomes a pesky barrier for other things that make their way down your pipes, like scraps of food. As a result, this gradual stoppage can become a nuisance as you’ll probably notice that the sink will drain a lot more slowly. Or it may stop draining entirely. 

For those thinking, “Alright, if the kitchen is so bad, I’ll just pour and flush the grease down the toilet.” Again, you should seriously refrain from what seems like an alternative solution. Like the kitchen, pouring grease down your toilet will (you guessed it) solidify and clog up your sewer line.

How should I get rid of cooking grease properly?

So, where can you dispose of grease down the toilet or kitchen sink drain? That’s easy. Wait for the grease to cool and solidify. Then, throw it into your garbage can. Cleaning up might be a messy ordeal, so be sure to give any greasy areas a proper wipe down. 

Clearing a grease clog in your kitchen sink

If you think you have a grease-related clog in your kitchen sink, try breaking up the FOG with a mixture of baking soda and vinegar, followed by hot water. Grease clogs are notoriously stubborn, so if that method doesn’t do the trick, the next smart move is to call the experts at Rick’s Plumbing. We can clear the blockage before it becomes a bigger problem. Schedule an appointment today at (203) 874-6629.

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