Myth or Fact: Is It Fine to Wash Grease Down the Garbage Disposal With Hot Water?
Before the holiday cooking starts, here's the one thing water utilities beg you not to put down the sink.
By James OkaforLifestyle Writer
Thanksgiving and holiday cooking mean roasting pans, bacon fat and pots of gravy. The tempting shortcut is to run the disposal, pour in the grease and chase it with hot water. Many people believe that keeps it moving through the pipes.
The disposal grinds food scraps. It does nothing to grease.
What water utilities say
The East Bay Municipal Utility District in California answers this exact question. Using a garbage disposal, hot water or detergent to wash grease down the drain "won't prevent grease from building up in sewer pipes," it says, adding that "home garbage disposals do not remove grease from the plumbing system" and that hot water cools down in the pipes, letting the fat harden (EBMUD).
The result can be a backup in your own home, or a sewer overflow into streets and waterways. The US Environmental Protection Agency lists blockages among the common causes of sanitary sewer overflows (EPA).
What to do with grease instead
- Let it cool, then scrape it into the bin. Pour liquid fat into an old jar or can, let it set, and throw it away.
- Wipe pans with a paper towel before washing them.
- Recycle large amounts. Many cities collect used cooking oil, especially after Thanksgiving. Check your local utility.
- Use a sink strainer to catch food scraps.
What about the ice-cube trick?
Running ice cubes through a disposal is a common tip for knocking debris off the grinding parts. It may help clean the unit itself, but it does nothing about grease further down the pipes, so it's no excuse to pour fat in.
The bottom line
Hot water only moves the problem further down the pipe. Keep grease out of the disposal and the drain entirely, and your plumbing will get through the holidays without a clog.
Sources
- East Bay Municipal Utility District, "Fats, oils and grease disposal & recycling FAQ"
- US Environmental Protection Agency, "Sanitary Sewer Overflows (SSOs)"
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