The big game, not the big clog: Defensive tips for your drain

Get ready for the biggest Sunday of the season, where the matchup is massive, the commercials are must-see, and the snack table is basically its own starting lineup. Before you settle in for kickoff, make sure your plumbing is ready to go four quarters, because a clogged drain is the one fumble nobody wants today.

Here's your new game plan for keeping the kitchen running clean and smooth from pregame to the final whistle.

Playbook moves to beat Fats, Oils, and Grease

• Win the line of scrimmage: Before anything hits the sink, scrape plates and wipe greasy pans. Think of it as controlling the trenches so trouble can't push upfield into your pipes.
  
  
• Start a "grease sideline" container: Let cooking grease cool, then pour it into a sealed can or jar and toss it in the trash. Keep that grease on the bench, not in the drain.
  
  
• No screen passes with hot water: Hot water and soap might look like a quick dump-off, but grease cools down in your plumbing and turns into a stubborn goal line stand. The best play is keeping it out entirely.
  
  
• Protect the quarterback (your garbage disposal): Don't ask it to take hits from problem foods. Pasta, rice, potato peels, coffee grounds, fibrous veggies, and greasy leftovers can stack up fast and turn one harmless rinse into a turnover.
  
  
• Two-minute drill for cleanup: Do a quick scrape first, then rinse. Small steps, big payoff, and you'll move down the field without a fourth-quarter plumbing emergency.
  
  
• Timeout for the sink strainer: Put one in and keep it there. It's your lockdown cornerback, snagging food bits before they can make a breakaway run into the pipes.

Make game day as green as the field

• Build a "stadium tray" snack spread: Consolidate chips, wings, sliders, and dips on a few big platters instead of lots of single-serve packaging. Less waste, better presentation, and the table looks like a championship setup.
  
  
• Bring your huddle bag: Take reusable bags to the store so your grocery run finishes with a clean drive and fewer fumbles with plastic.
  
  
• Home-field advantage: Choose locally grown foods and locally crafted beverages when you can. It's a win for your community and a solid play for the planet.
  
  
• Go for it on reusables: Use reusable plates, cups, utensils, and napkins whenever possible. If disposables are the only option, look for ones made with recycled content.
  
  
• Keep recycling simple: Give guests a quick reminder that recyclables can go in the trash can and will be sorted for you.
  
  
• Draft the leftovers: Send guests home with extra food. It's the ultimate postgame takeaway and keeps good snacks from getting benched in the back of the fridge.

Enjoy the big game! May the plays be clutch, the snack table stay deep, and your drains stay clear from kickoff through the confetti.