How To Get Rid Of Used Cooking Oil

How to Properly Dispose of Used Cooking Oil

'Cause we all know you never want to send it down the drain.

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Everybody knows that the worst part of deep frying is the clean up. I'm not even talking about wiping down your stove and the grates. I'm talking about disposing of the dirty oil. Why can't it be as simple as pouring it down the drain? If only. Sending this stuff down the kitchen sink (or your toilet, shower drain, dirty sink in the garage, etc.) is going to be bad news for your pipes, and consequently your entire sewer system. It can even pollute surrounding waterways, so you're doing your home and your neighbors a favor by disposing of your oil properly. Keep your home's plumbing healthy and safe and make sure to never dispose of oil down the drain.

The bad news about dirty oil is that it's no good for your compost pile, either. So, if the drain and your compost aren't viable options, then what do you do with it? Here are the safest ways to deal with your used frying oil.

Reuse It

Well, it should go without saying that before you start looking for ways to dispose of it, ask yourself if it can be reused. Straining dirty oil with several layers of cheesecloth or coffee filters is an effective way to get another use out of your cooking oil. However, each time that you cook with oil, it will deteriorate slightly — and that can affect its smoke point. This means that you should only plan to use your cooking oil one to two times before disposing. Combining your used oil with some new oil is a great way to stretch frying oil, as well.

deep frying oil

Credit: jgareri/Getty Images

Let It Cool and Transfer to a Container

After you're done using your oil, always let it cool completely before you start assessing how to dispose of it. Hot oil can be extremely dangerous, so once it's cooled down, you can then transfer it to a disposable (non-recyclable) container. At this point, it's also helpful to get the oil to a solidified state in order to minimize mess. Some oils, like coconut oil, will solidify at room temperature, but for other common frying oils, you'll need to refrigerate or freeze them to get them to a solid state. Once the oil has solidified, you can throw it into your trash. It's always helpful to toss the oil in with other absorbent items that might be in your trash, like food scraps, paper towels, or coffee grounds.

If You Have an Excess of Oil...

Sure, using less oil is a great tactic to cut down on how much oil you'll need to dispose of, but that's also no fun, right? If you're really into deep frying, try deep frying in a deep skillet versus a large Dutch oven in order to cut down on oil without sacrificing flavor. But still, you'll likely end up with a lot of dirty oil. If you have more oil than you're comfortable dumping into a trash bag, you can always look into a grease disposal system which uses large, foil-lined bags to dispose of oil. You should also do some research and see what your city has to offer. Call your local officials to learn about your nearby options. Whatever you decide, just please, keep it far, far away from your pipes.

Fat Trapper System/Grease Storage Container with 12 Disposable Grease Bags

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