You should never pour cooking oil, grease or fat down a kitchen drain. It is also wise to keep coffee grounds, eggshells, starchy food scraps and harsh chemicals out of the sink, since these can add to buildup inside the pipes.
A kitchen drain handles more food waste than any other drain in most homes. Small daily habits can affect how well it flows over time and how often it needs cleaning.
Why Grease Is the Biggest Problem
Hot grease looks like a liquid when it goes down the sink. As it cools inside the pipe, it can thicken and stick to the walls. Food bits and soap then cling to it, and the opening slowly gets smaller. Running hot water with it does not solve this, because the grease can still cool further down the line.
The NYC DEP guidance on cooking oil and grease asks residents not to pour it into any drain. It notes that grease can block pipes in homes and in city sewers. The suggested approach is to let it cool, put it in a sealed container and throw it out with the trash.
Other Things to Keep Out of the Sink
Grease is not the only problem. These items can also build up or catch on other debris:
- coffee grounds, which can settle and pack together
- eggshells and fruit stickers
- rice, pasta and bread, which can swell with water
- fibrous scraps, such as onion skins and celery
- paper towels, wipes and other paper products
Having a garbage disposal does not make these items safe for the drain. A disposal breaks food into smaller pieces, but the pieces still travel through the same pipes.
What About Chemical Drain Cleaners?
Harsh chemical drain cleaners are not a good routine habit. They may not fully clear buildup, and they can be dangerous to skin and eyes. Never mix different drain products or household chemicals, since some mixtures can release harmful fumes. If you have already used a chemical in a drain, tell the plumber before any work starts so they can take care.
Simple Habits That Help
Scrape plates into the trash before washing them. Wipe greasy pans with a paper towel first. A sink strainer can catch food bits, and it only takes a moment to empty. Keeping a jar or can near the stove makes it easier to save grease for the trash.
Even with good habits, some buildup can still form over time. If your kitchen sink is draining slower than usual, gurgling or giving off odors, it may be time to have the line cleaned. In apartment buildings, kitchen lines can connect to shared pipes, so let the super know if neighbors notice the same thing.
If your kitchen drain is slowing down, our drain cleaning service can help clear the buildup. Call (929) 209-6183 to schedule a visit anywhere in the Bronx.
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