You probably don’t think much about how to dispose of oil after frying like most people. After we finish deep-frying, browning ground beef, or cooking bacon, there is often leftover cooking oil. The natural inclination may be to pour it down the kitchen sink, but that can clog and damage plumbing pipes. It can also spell danger for nearby wildlife creatures if poured outside on the ground.
There are easy, safe methods of disposing of your cooking oil if you don’t want to reuse it. It is best to check with local experts on the topic before taking action. In this blog post, we will teach you how to dispose of oil after frying properly, so it does not harm the planet!
How to Dispose of Oil After Frying?
1. Reuse Cooking Oil
If you are going to deep fry soon or frequently fry foods, the cooking oil can be saved and used again. Strain the oil through a coffee filter or several layers of cheesecloth to eliminate any particles and crumbs. Pour it into an airtight container before storing it in a dark place until needed again.
You can reuse oil only once or twice before it starts to wear down. Before using it again, give it a smell test. If it smells bad, get rid of it. Remember that each time you use the same oil, the quality decreases, and the smoke point lowers.
2. Pour Into Disposable Container
The next time you want to get rid of oil, allow the oil to cool completely. Once it has cooled down, pour it into a nonrecyclable container with a lid and throw it away in the garbage.
Some common examples of suitable nonrecyclable containers include cardboard milk cartons and similar wax- or plastic-lined paper containers. Styrofoam takeout containers are another option that works well.
3. Chill Until Solid
If you want to get rid of it, freeze or refrigerate the oil, so it hardens. Pour the oil into an old can and put it in the freezer or fridge. Once the oil is solid enough to come out of the can in one piece, you can throw it away. If you have only a cup or less of oil or grease, follow these steps:
- Pour it into a coffee mug and set it in the fridge.
- Once it solidifies, scoop it out with a spoon and dispose of it in the trash.
- Wipe the mug with a paper towel or use a napkin before washing as usual.
4. Pour Small Amounts Into the Trash
If you have a small amount of oil, follow these steps to dispose of it safely:
- Cool the cooking oil.
- Partially fill a plastic trash bag.
- Add paper towels or other absorbent materials to help contain the oil inside the bag.
This will prevent any leaks from forming at the bottom of the bag.
5. Combine With Other Material
Before you dispose of it, mix the oil with an absorbent material like cat litter, sand, or sawdust. This will easily soak up the liquid. Then, save old oil in a used container until you need to empty the litter box. dump the oil into the litter before tossing it out.
6. Purchase a Grease Disposal System
A grease disposal system kit comes with a plastic receptacle and foil-lined bags holding up to 32 ounces of oil. Those who fry a lot will benefit from this. Place a bag in the container and pour cooled oil into the bag. Once full, seal the bag and dispose of it in the garbage.
7. Recycle Cooking Oil
Biodiesel is an excellent fuel alternative. You can even recycle used cooking oil into it! Check Earth911 to see if there is a recycler near you that will accept your used cooking oil so that it does not go to waste.
8. Cooking Oil Disposal Don’ts
There are a few things you should not do when disposing of used cooking oil. Pouring oil down the drain or in the toilet can clog your pipes and the city sewer mains. You should also not add oil to a septic system, as it can clog pipes and damage your distribution lines and drainage field.
Water contaminated with oil is difficult and sometimes impossible to treat, so it can eventually pollute local waterways. Pouring hot oil into the trash can is not recommended as it may attract insects, rodents, and other pests. It can also cause problems with garbage trucks and solid waste sites. Cooking oil should not be disposed of in compost bins or piles because fats are bad for composting.
9. When to Save Frying Oil for Later
If you want to fry food again in the future, don’t throw away the oil! You can save it for next time. All you need to do is strain the oil through a coffee filter or a few layers of cheesecloth to remove any crumbs or bits of food. Store the remaining oil in a cool, airtight container in a dark area of your kitchen.
Sniff test your oil before use because you can only reuse it several times. If it smells bad, then don’t cook with it. Remember that the oil will break down each time you reuse it and be more likely to burn. With this easy cleanup method, we hope you will make homemade potato chips and other fried snacks more often!
The Bottom Line
Do not pour cooking oil down drains or anywhere else where it could come into contact with water and sewage systems, as this will only attract pests. Compost piles are often inhabited by many animals already. It is best to keep used cooking oil in an airtight container before throwing it away in the trash.
Check if your local recycling center accepts cooking oil beforehand. You can also clean and store it for reuse a couple more times instead of immediately removing it.
FAQs
What do you do with oil after deep frying?
Pouring your used oil down the drain is terrible for your pipes and the environment. Place it back in its original container and dispose of it properly.
Can you put cooking oil down the drain?
Pouring cooking oil down the sink might seem like an easy way to get rid of it, but it can solidify and cause blockages. It’s best to wait for the oil to cool off before disposing of it.
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