Households have been urged to stop pouring excess cooking oil down the drain and avoid “costly” issues. Olive oil, and vegetable oil are key ingredients for various dishes, helping to prevent food from sticking to the pan and adding texture and flavour in baking.
But if you’ve ever made a big fry up on a Sunday, you’ll likely be familiar with the aftermath that can follow – a puddle of excess oil. You may be in the habit of simply pouring it down the drain before cleaning the pan, but experts warn against doing so for one key reason.
Draining and plumbing services dirm Drain Doctor included advice against the damage practice in a hints and tips article on their website identifying 10 items you shouldn’t put down the drain (but probably do).
A major offender where damage to drains is concerned are fats, oils, and grease, often referred to collectively as FOG by utility companies.
This includes cooking oils like olive oil, which can contribute to major issues over time. “FOG is a drainage technician’s worst nightmare,” the article warns.
“Not only does FOG stick to the inside of pipes, but will also solidify when chilled, eventually causing blockages and contributing to fatbergs.”
The company says FOG needs to be cool before you dispose of it to avoid the risk of burns and make it easier to get rid of them – as they quickly solidify while reducing in temperature.
They advise putting it into a sealable container once the liquid is at room temperature before putting it in the bin, not in the compost as it can be detrimental for your soil.
Once the oil is at a safe temperature you can wipe off any residue left on the pan with a paper towel and throw it away.
You may also be able to recycle larger quantities at your local waste facility, with many now able to turn it into biofuel. You can find out about safely disposing of FOG on Drain Doctor’s website.