Michigan summers are all about sunshine, good food, and outdoor gatherings. Whether it’s a family cookout, a Fourth of July bash, or a neighborhood BBQ, one thing is guaranteed: there will be food—and lots of it.
But while you’re firing up the grill and enjoying your backyard, your plumbing system may be working overtime behind the scenes. Increased cooking, dishwashing, and houseguest activity can put serious strain on your drains. All it takes is a few food scraps or grease slips to trigger a stubborn clog.
In this article, we’ll explore the most common causes of clogged drains during BBQ season, the worst offenders when it comes to summer foods, and what you can do to keep your drains flowing freely. We’ll also give you tips for prevention, cleanup, and when to call a professional plumber.
Why Summer BBQ Season Is Tough on Your Plumbing
Warm weather means more entertaining, more people in and out of your house, and more cooking happening both indoors and out. All that activity leads to a higher risk of kitchen and bathroom plumbing issues—especially clogged drains.
More Food Waste
During BBQ season, you’re prepping meats, marinating vegetables, slicing fruits, serving sides, and washing everything up afterward. If you’re not careful, food particles and grease can easily end up down the kitchen sink or disposal.
Greasy Grilling
Grilled burgers, brats, ribs, and pulled pork are staples of a Michigan summer. But these foods leave behind a lot of grease and fat—some of the biggest culprits behind clogged drains.
Houseguests and Visitors
Cookouts often mean extra people using your sinks, toilets, and showers. With more activity comes more wear on your plumbing, especially if guests aren’t familiar with what not to put down your drains.
Outdoor Cooking = Indoor Clean-Up
Even if you cook outside, you’re likely rinsing dishes, trays, and serving utensils in your kitchen sink. Grease and food remnants can build up fast, especially when you’re cleaning up from a large event.
The Worst Summer Foods for Your Drains
Not all food is equally bad for your plumbing. Some items can slip through your garbage disposal without issue, while others can cause serious blockages or long-term pipe buildup.
Here are the worst offenders during summer BBQ season:
1. Grease and Oil
This includes:
- Bacon grease
- Burger fat
- Marinades and cooking oils
- Butter and cheese residues
Why it’s a problem: Grease and oil may go down your drain as a liquid, but as they cool, they solidify. Over time, this forms a sticky coating inside your pipes, catching other debris and eventually leading to full-on clogs.
2. Fibrous Veggies and Corn Husks
Think:
- Celery
- Onion skins
- Corn husks and silk
Why it’s a problem: These fibers wrap around the blades of your garbage disposal and can cause jams or prevent proper grinding. They also tend to clump and tangle in your pipes, leading to tough-to-clear blockages.
3. Pasta and Rice
Side dishes like macaroni salad, cold pasta salads, and rice dishes are common BBQ favorites—but they’re terrible for drains.
Why it’s a problem: These foods expand in water and become sticky, clumping together and creating pipe blockages that are surprisingly difficult to remove.
4. Fruit Peels and Pits
Think twice before tossing:
- Watermelon rinds
- Peach pits
- Apple cores
- Banana peels
Why it’s a problem: Most garbage disposals aren’t built to handle dense rinds or pits. Even if they get through the disposal, they can lodge in your drain or sewer line.
5. Bones and Gristle
Chicken wings, ribs, steak trimmings—they all leave behind hard scraps.
Why it’s a problem: Bones are too hard for garbage disposals and can damage the blades. If they get past the disposal, they can sit in the pipes and trap other waste.
Kitchen Drain Dos and Don’ts
Your kitchen sink is the frontline of defense against food-related clogs. Here are some smart habits to help protect your drains before, during, and after a summer BBQ:
DO:
- Scrape plates into the trash or compost bin before rinsing.
- Use a sink strainer to catch food particles before they go down the drain.
- Pour grease into a disposable container, not your sink. Once it cools, toss it in the trash.
- Run cold water while using your garbage disposal. Cold water helps solidify any fats so they can be ground more effectively and flushed through.
- Clean your disposal regularly. Use a mix of baking soda and vinegar or grind up citrus peels to freshen the blades and reduce buildup.
DON’T:
- Don’t pour leftover marinade, grease, or sauces down the sink.
- Don’t feed your disposal bones, pits, corn cobs, or fibrous veggies.
- Don’t flush large volumes of food waste at once.
- Don’t use chemical drain cleaners—especially repeatedly. These can damage your pipes over time.
Bathroom Drains Can Get Hit, Too
If your guests are staying over or frequently using your bathroom, your shower, toilet, and sink drains could be under extra pressure, too.
Common Summer Bathroom Drain Issues:
- Hair buildup in shower drains
- Overuse of flushable wipes (which aren’t really flushable)
- Children flushing objects down the toilet
- Extra soap and shaving cream residue causing buildup
Prevention Tips:
- Install drain screens in bathtubs and showers to catch hair.
- Place a small trash bin in the bathroom so guests don’t use the toilet as one.
- Give your toilet a gentle reminder with a sign or note: “Only flush toilet paper!”
What to Do If You Get a Clog
Even with the best intentions, clogs can still happen. Here’s how to deal with them quickly and safely:
Step 1: Try a Plunger
For sinks and toilets, a basic plunger is often your first and best line of defense. Make sure to use the correct type:
- Cup plunger for sinks
- Flange plunger for toilets
Step 2: Use a Natural Drain Cleaner
Before reaching for chemicals, try this method:
- Pour ½ cup baking soda down the drain.
- Follow with 1 cup white vinegar.
- Let sit for 15–20 minutes.
- Flush with hot water.
This method can help break up light clogs and deodorize your drain.
Step 3: Snake the Drain
A small handheld drain snake or auger can help dislodge clogs deeper in your pipes. This tool is especially useful for hair clogs in bathroom drains.
Step 4: Call a Professional
If water is backing up, draining slowly, or emitting foul odors—and DIY methods aren’t working—it’s time to call a licensed plumber. They can perform a video inspection or hydro jetting to clear deep or stubborn clogs safely.
Preventative Plumbing Tips for BBQ Season
Avoiding drain clogs this summer is mostly about being proactive. Here are a few seasonal tips to keep your plumbing in top shape during BBQ season and beyond:
1. Have Your Drains Professionally Cleaned
If you haven’t had a professional drain cleaning in a while, summer is a great time. Plumbers can remove buildup, grease, and even tree roots from your pipes before they turn into problems.
2. Install a Grease Trap or Interceptor
If you frequently cook greasy foods or entertain large groups, installing a small grease trap under your sink can catch fats before they enter your plumbing system.
3. Upgrade Your Garbage Disposal
Older or underpowered garbage disposals can struggle with modern demands. A new unit with better grinding power and safety features may be worth the investment.
4. Get a Plumbing Inspection Before Hosting
Hosting a large summer gathering? Have a plumber check your kitchen and bathroom drains, inspect your main sewer line, and test for slow drains or potential backups.
When to Call a Michigan Plumbing Professional
There’s a difference between a mild clog and a full-blown plumbing emergency. Call a licensed plumber if:
- Your drains repeatedly clog, even after DIY attempts.
- You smell sewer gas in your kitchen or bathroom.
- Multiple drains in your home are slow or backing up.
- You hear gurgling from your drains or toilets.
- You suspect grease buildup or tree roots in your main line.
Professional plumbers have the tools, experience, and equipment (like video pipe inspection and hydro jetting) to tackle even the toughest summer plumbing issues—before they ruin your fun.
Don’t Let Plumbing Problems Spoil Your Summer
Summer in Michigan is short—and too precious to waste dealing with clogged drains, foul odors, or backed-up sinks. With a little awareness and the right habits, you can keep your drains clean, your kitchen running smoothly, and your guests comfortable all season long.
So go ahead, plan that cookout, fire up the grill, and enjoy everything summer has to offer—without worrying about what’s going down your drains.
Need help clearing a summer clog? Aspen Plumbing Services offers fast, affordable, and reliable drain cleaning services throughout Jackson, Michigan and surrounding areas. Call us today to schedule an inspection or same-day drain cleaning before your next backyard BBQ!
