As the holiday season hits its stride, so does the volume of cooking—and with it, the potential for clogged pipes. Taking note, White Settlement Community Services has rolled out its annual Holiday Grease Roundup to spare local kitchens the unpleasantries of plumbing problems. The roundup is underway and will continue through January 16.
It's the simple habits that can make a difference, such as shunning the sink when it comes to disposing of cooking oil, greasy food leftovers, dairy, or salad dressings. "Please try to avoid pouring cooking oil, greasy foods, dairy products, or salad dressing down the drain," advises the Facebook post by White Settlement Community Services. Utilizing a sink strainer is another effortless intervention, halting food scraps and solids from washing down.
The immediate rinse of grease with hot water and soap doesn't solve the problem; it's a temporary fix that often leads to hardened deposits within sewer lines. The community services suggest a different approach: "Instead of rinsing away grease with hot water and soap, remember that it can cool and harden inside your sewer lines over time." They recommend letting grease cool, sealing it in a disposable container, and taking it to the designated collection point at 8212 Albert Street.
Kitchen routines could also use a tweak before suds and water even come into play. The message is clear—scraping off food scraps into the trash rather than washing them down the drain prevents the grease buildup. "Wipe away any excess fats from your cookware with a dry paper towel and toss it in the garbage," the White Settlement Community Services adds, focusing on preemptive action to preserve plumbing.
