Fats, Oils and Grease (F.O.G.)

How You Can Prevent F.O.G. Damage

You can avoid expensive sewer back ups, plumbing emergencies and repairs while helping protect the local water supply by following a simple list of DO’s and DON’Ts when disposing of fats, oils and grease:

• DO pour fats, oils or grease into a can until they cool. Coffee or soup cans work well.  They can be stored for reuse until full when it can be thrown in the trash.
• DO wipe pans or dishes that contain fats, oil or grease with a paper towel before washing and throw the used paper towel in the trash.
• DO place a strainer in the kitchen sink drain to catch food scraps and other solids and regularly empty the strainer in the trash.
• DO encourage neighbors to help keep fats, oils and grease out of the sewer system.
• DO maintain an approved grease trap where food is processed.
• DON’T pour cooking oil, pan drippings, bacon grease, salad dressings or sauces in the sink or toilet.  
• DON’T run water over dishes, pans, fryers or griddles to wash oil and grease down the drain. 
• DON’T use cloth or rags to scrape plates  or oily dishware.  When you wash them, the grease will end up in the sewer.
• DON’T use a garbage disposal or food grinder on fatty or greasy food.  Grinding food before rinsing it down the drain does not remove the fats, oils or grease, it just makes the pieces smaller.  Even non-greasy food scraps (salads, etc.) can plug sewer lines. 
• DON’T use chemicals to remove grease clogs; they can damage the piping system.