The Post-Breakfast Mistake That Could Cost You Your Drains

After a delicious meal on a cozy weekend morning, the last thing anyone wants to think about is cleaning and doing the dishes. Much has been said about the dangers of pouring used grease down the sink or into a garbage disposal, but there is another post-breakfast shortcut involving drains and pancake batter that you probably didn't know to avoid. The flour in batter mixed with oils and fat can wreak havoc on drains and sewer systems. It can attach to the walls of your pipes, solidify, and cause blockages. With each subsequent rinse, more particles could stack on top of the clog until your only course of action is to call in a professional.

The cost of home repairs is continuing to increase, so it's essential to take preventative measures to minimize the likelihood of needing repair callouts. There are fast fixes for clogged drains you can attempt on your own, but untreated clogs can cause pipes to burst, which ultimately will cause more damage and be even more expensive to resolve. Most homeowners and renters aren't trained for that level of repair, so being proactive is the key.

Dealing with leftover pancake batter takes no time at all and doesn't require any special devices. Empty cooled batter into a vessel, such as a plastic bag or old takeout container, and then dispose of it in the trash. If you have a composter, you can safely add leftover pancake batter to your pile, but be sure to mix it in with leaves to prevent pests from becoming an issue. In fact, the flour contained in pancake mix is touted as one of the common ingredients you should add to your compost pile for a nutrient boost.

Alternatively, there are a number of ways that pancake batter can be saved and reused for future meals. A basic batter will last two to four days in an airtight container in the refrigerator. If you don't think your family will be craving pancakes again for another week or longer, carefully pour the leftover batter into a Ziploc bag, label it with the date, and slide it into the freezer. This will buy you up to three months and save precious time the next time you want those fluffy dough saucers. The batter can also be frozen in individual servings in silicone ice cube molds, like this Glacio Ice Cube Tray.