Pancake Day is flipping fantastic until your drains get clogged with leftover batter, butter, and cooking oil! While you’re perfecting your pancake toss, don’t forget that what goes down your sink could cause a very sticky situation which won’t be as much fun. So let’s keep your pipes flowing freely and treat you to a foolproof pancake recipe at the same time.
The Greasy Truth: Why Fats and Batter Block Your Drains
Pouring leftover oil or batter down the sink might seem harmless, but over time, fats and starchy residues solidify, creating stubborn blockages. (Fatbergs) That means slow drains, gurgling sinks, smelly drains, and even costly repairs. The biggest culprits?
1. Cooking oils and melted butter: These cool down and stick to pipes.
2. Batter residue: Flour and eggs create a gluey mess when mixed with water.
3. Food scraps: Bits of toppings like fruit, syrup, or chocolate chunks can get lodged in drains.
How to Dispose of Pancake Leftovers Properly
Instead of rinsing everything away, try these drain-friendly disposal tips:
1. Let fat cool: Pour used oil into a heatproof container, then bin it once solid.
2. Scrape, don’t rinse: Wipe out batter bowls with a paper towel before washing.
3. Compost what you can: Eggshells and fruit scraps are great for composting!
4. Make a bird feeder: Mix solidified fat with seeds for a tasty treat for garden birds.
And Now the Fun Bit. A Pancake Recipe That’s Flipping Great!
Now that your drains are safe, let’s focus on what really matters. Making the perfect pancake!
Classic Pancakes (Serves 4)
Ingredients:
100g plain flour
2 large eggs
300ml milk
A pinch of salt
Butter or oil for frying
Method:
1. Mix it up: Whisk the flour, eggs, and milk together until smooth. Let it rest for 15 minutes.
2. Heat the pan: Add a little butter or oil to a frying pan on medium heat.
3. Get flipping: Pour in a ladle of batter, swirl it around, and cook for 1-2 minutes before flipping.
4. Serve and enjoy: Load them up with your favourite toppings! Our favourites are Nutella and Banana, Good old traditional Lemon and Sugar and Ham and Cheese, (for all you savoury lovers!)
Keep Your Drains Happy This Pancake Day
Enjoy the flipping fun, but don’t let your drains take the hit. And if you do find yourself in a sticky situation, give Happy Drains a call. We’ll sort it faster than you can say “easy peasy lemon n’ sugar squeezy!!
From all of us at Happy Drains – Happy Pancake Day!
