Do Not Pour Cooking Grease Down the Drain, Ever

Grease is liquid when hot but solidifies in your pipes, creating blockages that are expensive and unpleasant to fix. Over time, it combines with other debris to form what plumbers call fatbergs — massive clogs that can back up entire drain lines.

Let grease cool in the pan, scrape it into the trash, or collect it in a jar and dispose of it with regular waste. For small amounts, wipe the pan with a paper towel before washing. This one habit prevents the most common kitchen plumbing disaster.