How Air Fryers Can Lead to Blocked Drains and Fatbergs
In the last five years, the humble air fryer has become a kitchen sensation. Lauded for its ability to crisp up food using little to no oil, it’s earned a reputation as the healthier, quicker alternative to oven cooking. Sales have skyrocketed, with millions of households across the UK now proudly displaying an air fryer on their countertop.
But while this gadget has transformed the way we cook, it may also be quietly contributing to a less welcome transformation, the rise of blocked drains, kitchen sink blockages, and even fatbergs. Knowing how to clean an air fryer properly can help reduce the grease and oils entering your drains.
Air Fryers: Cleaner Eating, Messier Cleaning, Leading to Blocked Drains?
Before the air fryer revolution, many of us cooked fatty foods in the oven, often laying them on trays lined with foil or baking paper. After cooking, the solidified fats and oils could be wrapped up and thrown straight in the bin. Simple, clean, and importantly kept out of the drainage system.
Fast forward to the air fryer era, and things look a little different. Cooking fatty foods now means greasy baskets and trays that need rinsing and scrubbing after every use. Because these components are cleaned in the sink, often under hot water, the resulting greasy rinse water flows straight down the kitchen sink and into the drain.
Whether we realise it or not, this small change in routine, rinsing instead of scraping, is leading to increased fats, oils, and grease (FOG) entering domestic drainage systems. Multiply this by the millions of air fryers in use across the UK, and it turns out that in our quest for healthier meals, we may be creating another problem: blocked drains and kitchen sink blockages.
The Hidden Cost of Convenience: Fatbergs and Blocked Drains
When fats, oils, and grease are washed down the sink, they don’t simply flow away harmlessly.
In cooler pipes, they begin to solidify and stick, gradually forming blockages that can reduce water flow and trap debris. Over time, this can lead to:
- Unpleasant odours from kitchen sinks or outside drains
- Slow-draining water or kitchen sink blockage
- Localised flooding and damage to pipework
- Massive fatbergs in the public sewer system
It’s a case of “out of sight, out of mind” until your kitchen sink starts gurgling or your road ends up flooded.
Prevention Is Better Than Cure but We’re Here When You Need Us
While the best solution is always prevention, scraping food waste into the bin, soaking greasy trays with care, and never pouring oils down the sink, we know that habits are hard to change, and mistakes happen.
Metro Rod: Your Drainage Safety Net for Blocked Drains and Fatbergs
At Metro Rod, we understand the hidden challenges of modern living. From fatbergs to blocked kitchen sinks, our expert drainage engineers are here to help, whether you’re dealing with a slow drain or a full-blown backup.
With over 40 years of experience tackling drainage problems in homes and businesses across the UK, we’re specialists in clearing FOG-related blockages and helping households get their drainage systems back in shape. Whether you’ve noticed your sink isn’t draining as quickly as it used to, or you suspect a more serious problem lurking underground, our teams are ready to help.
How to Clean an Air Fryer and Protect Your Drains
- Wipe before you wash: Always wipe down greasy air fryer trays or pans with kitchen roll before rinsing.
- Use a sink strainer: Catch food debris before it enters the pipework.
- Don’t pour fat down the sink: Let it cool and solidify, then bin it.
- Book a drain inspection: If you’re noticing signs of a problem, early intervention can prevent costly repairs later.
Final Thoughts
Air fryers might be changing the way we cook, but they shouldn’t change how we care for our drains. Being mindful of where those oils end up could save you a major headache and an unexpected bill.
But if it’s too late and your pipes are already feeling the pressure, remember: Metro Rod is just a call away. Our engineers are on hand 24/7 to clear blocked drains, inspect drains, and keep your home flowing freely, so you can get back to enjoying your air fryer, worry-free.
Talk to your local Metro Rod specialist
We are always happy to arrange a free site assessment and no obligation quotations for any work you might need. Alternatively, you can call our emergency hotline number on 0800 66 88 00
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