What should I never pour down my kitchen sink?

Never pour fats, oils, grease, pan drippings, or food scraps containing meat or dairy down your kitchen sink. These items cool, solidify, and build up inside pipes, eventually causing serious clogs.

Why is grease bad for my drain?

Grease and oil are liquid when hot but solidify as they cool. They stick to the inside of pipes, trapping food particles and debris. Over time, this buildup can block your drain or even your main sewer line.

How should I dispose of cooking oil and grease?

Let oil and grease cool, then scrape or pour them into a disposable container and throw it away. For larger amounts, check your local recycling or drop-off options.

Can liquid drain cleaner fix grease clogs?

Liquid drain cleaners may move a blockage temporarily, but they can damage pipes and push grease clogs deeper. For recurring or stubborn clogs, it’s safer to call a professional plumber for proper drain cleaning.

What should I not pour down my kitchen sink to prevent clogs?

April 18, 2012

To prevent kitchen sink clogs, avoid pouring fats, oils, or grease (FOG) down the drain. Let them cool first and toss them in the trash. Use a strainer to catch food scraps so you’re not calling for clogged drain repair sooner than expected.

TL;DR

Never pour fats, oils, or grease (FOG) down your kitchen sink drain.
Let cooking oil and pan drippings cool, then throw them away.
Use strainers to catch food scraps and soap residue.
Avoid liquid drain cleaners—they can damage pipes and force clogs deeper.
If drains slow down or back up, schedule professional drain cleaning before it turns into an emergency.

You already know that too much fat isn’t good for your diet. The same is true for your plumbing. Plumbers call fats, oils, and grease “FOG,” and FOG causes clogs.

Here’s why: when you pour hot grease or oil down the drain, it cools fast and sticks to the inside of the pipes. Over time, this buildup grows until the drain is blocked. Liquid drain cleaners don’t solve the problem. They can corrode metal or plastic pipes and even push the blockage farther down the line. In severe cases, your main sewer pipe can clog. One extreme example was the 800-foot “fatberg” found in London’s sewers in 2017.

Things never to dump down your sink

To avoid clogged drain repair, keep these items out of your sink:

Oil and butter: Pour cooled oil into a covered can and throw it out. Commercial kitchens should follow their local recycling rules. If you’re disposing of a large amount—like after deep-frying a turkey—your town may offer a drop-off option.
Dairy products: Mayo, sour cream, cheese, and yogurt can all contribute to FOG buildup.
Pan drippings from meat: Wipe pans with a paper towel before washing, and toss the towel in the trash.
Food scraps containing meat or fat: Even with a garbage disposal, avoid putting pie dough, cheese, frosting, or other fatty scraps down the drain.

Be mindful of the soaps you use, too. Many contain beef tallow, which can mix with hair and other debris and clog your drains. A simple drain strainer can help prevent this. And if you notice recurring slow drains, it may be time to schedule professional drain cleaning.

A little prevention now saves a lot of hassle—and expense—later. Keeping FOG out of your drain is one of the easiest ways to avoid plumbing problems.

Categories: Drain Cleaning