Thanksgiving Cooking No No

Sonora, CA: After stuffing yourself with turkey Tuolumne Utilities District (TUD) wants to make sure chefs do not clog their drains and pipes with grease.

To avoid potential plumbing and sewer disasters that could be costly, TUD provides this list of the correct way to properly dispose of fats, oils and grease:

• Avoid pouring fats or vegetable cooking oils down the drain because liquid fats solidify in the pipes and create clogs.
• After grease has cooled, scrape the grease into a container with a tight fitting lid. Solidify in the refrigerator before putting it in the trash.
• Never put hard to grind items in your garbage disposal, including poultry skins, egg shells, carrots, celery, pumpkin pulp, potato skins, banana peels, or pasta.

TUD notes that the Tuolumne County Solid Waste Division offers its residential customers a disposal service at its permanent household hazardous waste facility in Sonora. Customers can drop off up to ten gallons of used liquid cooking oil at the facility but you must first make an appointment by calling 209-533-5588.