The answer to the issue is simple: pouring excess cooking oil down the drain can cause major problems. As oil cools, it congeals and sticks to the inside of pipes. Over time, this builds up and obstructs water flow, often leading to unpleasant odors from your sink.

Improperly disposing of oil can also have a broader impact. When oil mixes with other debris like hair or rags in public drainage systems, it can form a “Fatberg.” This is a large, solid mass that blocks the flow of waste and can cause major issues in the sewage system.

To avoid these problems, it’s important to dispose of oil properly—by pouring it into a container and discarding it with your regular trash or recycling it when possible.