After slaving over the stove, it’s tempting to dive straight into the washing up.
But if you’ve been using oil or fat and rush into cleaning, you could be setting yourself up for an expensive error.
It’s a blunder that doesn’t show itself immediately but will eventually make its presence known. A plumber from @dalrod_ took to TikTok to share his expertise while sorting out a blockage at university digs.
He demonstrated how the sink wasn’t draining, with water just sitting there instead of flowing away. He said he was about to “have a look at this pipe work underneath” remarking on the “rare” ease of access to the plumbing.
The tradesman then got to work, removing the access pipe, employing his trusty bucket to empty the system, then “drained down the system” and “machined the pipework through to the main stack”. He detailed how the machine delivers “wall-to-wall cleaning”, effectively “cleans out any solids within the main pipe”.
Once he had run the machine through the pipe, he pulled back the cable to reveal: “Look what’s on the end. Just a clump of fat. After thoroughly machining the pipework, I decided to remove the trap to check for any secondary blockages” After giving the pipework a thorough clean, he decided to remove the trap to check for any secondary blockages.
To the professional’s delight, upon inspection, they discovered the area “spotless” and with “no issues in there at all” leading to a meticulous reassembly and organisation of the space. For those caught in a panic after spilling oil down the sink, Discover Plumbing and Rooter offers quick fixes: “pour hot water down the drain” promptly, or use a blend of vinegar and baking soda.
Yet, letting oil and fat seep down your drains could curry up “serious problems”, potentially causing “damage your draining system”. To dispose of that oily residue correctly?
Enva gives pointed advice, saying: “The first thing you need to do is let the oil cool down, so you can transfer it into a container before throwing it away. Drain the cooking oil into a sealable container, ideally one that you can’t recycle.”
When dealing with tougher, solid fats – their guidance is to chill it: “If it’s the kind of oil that solidifies, you can put it in the fridge or freezer until it turns into a block you can easily throw in the bin.”
Alternatively, oil can be collected in a container to fill over time and then taken to a nearby recycling centre many now accept cooking oil waste without charge.
Or could it be an idea to accrue the spare grease in a jar gradually, and then visit your local recycling spot?
Plenty will welcome your spent cooking oil and won’t ask for a single dime.
