Avoid Washing Greasy Pots with Hot Water

Hot, soapy water is quite effective for cleaning, but when it comes to greasy pots and pans, it can sometimes work a little *too* efficiently, breaking down the grease more than you'd want.

Doyle James, president of Mr. Rooter Plumbing, shared with

The Kitchn that cold water is actually the better option for removing oily residues from cookware. Hot water melts grease, which solidifies in your pipes as it cools, leading to fat buildup and potential clogs. On the other hand, cold water has the opposite effect:

Cold water helps keep grease

solid

, allowing it to flow smoothly through pipes without getting stuck. As James puts it, “When fat, oil, and grease meet cold water, they quickly solidify, and with the help of gravity, are washed away.”

Does this mean you can pour large amounts of fat and grease down the drain as long as you use cold water? Not quite—you should still pour or wipe off as much fat, oil, and grease as possible before using any soap or water (or putting your pan in the dishwasher, for that matter). I keep an old vegetable oil bottle under my sink specifically for this purpose.

You might think that small amounts of butter, lard, or cooled bacon fat aren’t a big deal, but when accumulated, these tiny greasy particles can form a large, stubborn mass, and trust me, no one—neither you, your neighbors, nor your bank account—wants that.

So make sure to wipe your pans thoroughly, and wash away any thin greasy residues with cold water—and plenty of soap to help keep the grease emulsified with surfactants—so that it doesn’t coat your pipes and cause trouble (even if just temporarily).