Pancake Tuesday is coming up tomorrow (February 21) and you might be trying your hand at creating them from scratch this year.
They can be difficult to master - especially the dreaded flip in the pan - but they always go down a real treat with anyone who gets to enjoy them with their favourite toppings.
And if you have any spare batter left after your pancake-making session, you might think nothing of tipping the remains into the sink. However, experts have warned that you should never do this, as it can clog up your plumbing and create an expensive mistake to fix.
Blocked and clogged drains are some of the most common reasons to call out a plumber - so this Pancake Day, don't make the error of disposing of the batter down the sink.
Plumbing experts at Rated People have said: “Pancake batter contains flour, fat and oil and this is a recipe for disaster when it comes to drains as it can quickly harden in pipes and lead to blockages and burst pipes which can be costly to repair."
It also wreaks havoc in the sewers as well as pouring batter down the sink can cause fatbergs to form. These are a combination of grease and fat as well as unflushable items like cotton pads, and they prevent water from flowing through the pipes.
Depending on how easy it is to access the pipe, it would cost around £150 - £300 to fix the issue - which is far more than the cost of a pancake.
The Rated People plumbing experts also said: “Leaking or fully burst pipes caused by increased pressure from blockages can cause damage to your property and possessions, which means fixing the broken pipework could only be part of the repair cost.
"Whether it’s a plastic or copper pipe, the solution will likely involve replacing the section of the pipe that’s damaged. Fixing a burst water pipe that’s easy to access will cost around £150, but with no visible access, the job is trickier and that can set you back by around £300 on average. Those hard-to-locate leaks are where a plumber’s expertise is even more valuable."
Instead of pouring it down the sink, the experts from Rated People have recommended the following uses for your leftover pancake batter instead.
What to do with leftover pancake mixture
Freeze leftover batter: Portion control can be tricky, and you can only store homemade batter in the fridge for up to two days. So, if you are pancaked out, and don’t fancy going for round two the next day, you can freeze the batter for up to three months. Simply store it in an airtight container or freezer bag and place in your freezer. Make sure you thoroughly defrost the mixture in the fridge before using it, and if the mixture separates a little in the freezing process, this is nothing to worry about - just mix it really well before cooking.
Use it for Yorkshire puddings: Pancake mixture uses the same recipe as Yorkshire puddings, so you can use the remaining batter to create a batch of Sunday roast Yorkies and then just pop them in the freezer until you need to use them.
Fakeaways: If you want to create an at-home version of a traditional fish and chips takeaway, then hold onto your batter. By coating a piece of cod in your pancake mixture and deep frying (or shallow frying it) you can use up that leftover batter to create a delicious evening meal.
Dispose in food waste bin: If your batter didn’t turn out as the recipe promised (we’ve all been there) then wait until it’s cool and then tip it into a food waste bin. Be sure to check that your local authority accepts this type of food in the waste first though.
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