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Cooking oil and lard seem like harmless food ingredients when you use them to cook delicious treats like French fries and doughnuts. But, after you’re done using them then dump down the sink, they can cause your drain a lot of problems.
Why are grease and oil harmful?If you think oil and grease can’t clog your drain because they’re liquid, think again. Every time you pour something fatty down your drain, it sticks to your pipes. Even if you use hot water, it won’t help flush all of the grease out.
In fact, grease and oil are the leading cause of sewage spills, pipe backups, and clogs that require property plumbing maintenance. The easiest way you can avoid costly plumbing repairs is to avoid sending grease and oil down the drain.
There’s no need to avoid using your preferred frying medium. An expert emergency plumber in Melbourne shares how you can make good use and dispose of your cooking oil in a safe and efficient manner.
If you just deep fried something recently, there may be a chance for you to use it again. After all, some of the best foods are cooked with oil. Follow these steps before you reuse your cooking oil.
Reuse oil for only one to two times as using it more times can reduce its smoke point, making it burn easier. This can cause the fat to release harmful trans-unsaturated fatty acids and free-radicals. Make sure to do a sniff test before using it as well.
Sooner or later, cooking oil will turn rancid. Oil that hasn’t gone bad has a clean, light smell while a metallic or bitter aroma indicates it is way past its prime.
Ask your neighbours if your city has any recycling program that involves the reuse of grease or cooking oil. You can also check your local government’s website for this. There may even be some trash companies that will offer bins that you can use for their collection.
Most recycling centres use any kind of cooking oil to create biodiesel. Make sure to check with the centre before dropping off your oil and avoid mixing it with any other liquids.
3. Consider proper oil disposalIf you decide to get rid of your oil after using it, don’t throw it in the trash immediately especially if it’s still hot. It might leak from your trash bin and reach the ground – causing contamination, attracting rodents, and harming aquatic life. Here’s what you should do:
Before you toss your used oil into the garbage, pour it inside a non-recyclable container with a lid then let it cool completely. Non-recyclable containers that work well include plastic-lined paper or wax containers, cardboard milk cartons, as well as takeout containers.
Pour your used oil inside an old can and place it inside a freezer or refrigerator to harden it. Once the oil becomes solid enough to come out of the can in a single piece, scoop it out with a spoon and throw it into the trash.
If you use trash bags, it’s okay to pour a moderate amount of used oil in it as long as it’s already partially filled. Food scraps, paper towels, and other absorbent materials can help in containing the oil so that it won’t burst out from the bottom of the bag.
Before throwing your sawdust or cat litter away, mix your used oil for disposal with it. These things are made up of absorbent materials that efficiently hold oil.
If you’re someone who does a lot of frying, take advantage of a fat trapper system. This is a plastic receptacle which holds foil-lined bags. All you have to do is pour the oil into the bag and, once it’s full, seal the bag then throw it away.
It’s quite easy to tell if grease is beginning to block your pipes. You will notice the following:
If you believe that grease or oil may have damaged your pipes, let an expert plumber solve the problem for you. Never attempt to do it on your own as you can end up damaging your pipes more – leading to costly repairs.
In the kitchen, it’s almost impossible to avoid using grease and oil altogether. The problem isn’t caused by usage but by improper disposal. Be a responsible user and never pour oil down the drain as it doesn’t only block your pipes but also your city’s sewer mains.
A plumbing problem caused by oil needs an expert’s skills.
For all your plumbing emergencies or demands, Blue Diamond Plumbing delivers fast and efficient services.
Whether it’s in the middle of the night or early in the morning, we at Blue Diamond Plumbing will respond immediately to your plumbing problem, carry out the work, and guarantee optimum results.
