You’re making a big mistake in your kitchen which could lead to expensive plumbing works and issues with the sewage system.
When knocking up your dinner it may feel perfectly natural to pour your used cooking oil down the sink in the same way you would leftover drinks, soup and pasta water.
However, fats – including oils – often congeal and solidify turning into blockages in your pipes which grow over time.
That’s how the enormous “fatbergs” have build up in the UK sewage system.
Fats and oils form large solid masses filled with non-biodegradable items like wet wipes which have been flushes down the loo.
And, it costs a bomb to correct.
Steve Vincent, Head of Operations at Plumbers4U told Metro : “There are many common misconceptions around how to properly dispose of hot cooking oil and with the average call-out for a plumber sitting around £40-£60 per hour, it pays to be careful with how you get rid of it.
“The reality is you should avoid pouring oil down your sink.
“Fat deposits can also contribute to blockages that lead to sewage back-ups and flooding, which can cause serious damage to your home.
“Scolding-hot cooking oil can damage plastic piping by eroding away the inside if it’s exposed to it frequently.”
So how do you correctly get rid of cooking oil?
Well, for small amounts you should leave it to cool and then scrape it into your bin.
Try and get as much off as you can before washing it as even small amounts of fat in dishwater make their way down your pipes and can cause a problem.
Don’t chuck the oil when it’s hot or you’ll melt your bin bag and cause a huge mess.
Thames Water said: “If you’ve blocked your drain, crossed fingers and a squirt of washing-up liquid won’t clear it.
“The soap may actually harden in your pipes, sticking to other items and adding to the problem.
“Instead, it’s useful to keep old jars or takeaway containers for collecting used oil.
“It’s best to use something with a lid so it doesn’t spill out and cause a mess in your bin."
Yep, it’s best to pour your oil into a jar or heat-proof container and then throw it in the bin when full.
Don’t touch a glass jar if it has hot oil in it as it could be hot and burn you.
If you don’t like the thought of a big jar of fat in your kitchen then keep it in the fridge – it will solidify faster, be hidden away and the cooler temperature may keep it from smelling.
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