Many people prepare a turkey for the holidays as it’s a grand way to celebrate the festivities with family and friends. After you’ve cooked the bird, be mindful of how you clean up the grease as pouring it down the sink can cause a need for professional drain cleaning. Here’s what you need to know about turkey grease in the kitchen.

What Happens If Turkey Grease Goes Down the Sink?

Although grease is a liquid when it’s warm, it’ll coagulate when it cools. If you pour it down the sink, the liquid grease will coat the pipes, then thicken when its temperature drops. The thick grease coating on the pipes will attract other food particles, building into a substantial clog. Stubborn clogs may require emergency professional drain cleaning, especially if you have a full sink of party dishes to wash. To avoid this issue, put the grease in a sealable, disposable container and throw it in the trash.

How Can I Clear a Clog?

First, boil water in a pot and then add degreasing dish soap. Slowly pour the water into the drain, letting the heat and soap work away at the buildup. Run the water to test the results.

If the clog remains, scoop ½ a cup of baking soda into the drain, then pour ½ a cup of vinegar into the sink—let it sit for 60 minutes. To clear the mixture, pour boiling water down the drain until the normal flow is restored. Avoid putting a wire hanger or long stick into the drain as you may damage the pipe.

If these home remedies didn’t work, get professional help from the skilled team at Waialae Plumbing & Construction in Honolulu, HI. Since 1994, these licensed experts have helped Oahu homeowners solve stubborn plumbing issues, offering 24/7 emergency services for any problem. They’ll do whatever it takes to resolve the clog, including snaking the drain and removing pipes. View their full list of services online, or call (808) 735-8595 to schedule drain cleaning.