Got some used cooking oil on hand but not sure if you can just toss it out? The good news is, you can. However, oil isn’t like other food waste, and there are both right and wrong ways to dispose of cooking oil. Proper disposal is important for avoiding potential plumbing issues, environmental harm, and even health risks. We’ll go over the right way to dispose of it, explain why proper disposal is necessary, and cover some best practices and guidelines for handling used cooking oil.
Safe Disposal Methods
To protect your home and the environment, it’s important to dispose of cooking oil properly. The first step is to let the oil cool down completely. Pouring hot oil in the trash can melt the bag and attract bugs and rodents. Once the oil is cool, it still may not be solid so put it in a container like a metal can, plastic bottle, or anything non-recyclable to prevent leaks. When disposing of larger amounts of oil, mix it with an absorbent material like flour, sand, and get this: kitty litter. For very small amounts, like the bacon grease in your nonstick pan, you can simply wipe it up with a paper towel and throw it away.
If you regularly have large amounts of used oil, check and see if there is a local recycling option. Some areas have recycling centers that accept used cooking oil. Alternatively, you can ask nearby restaurants if you can add your oil to their disposal mix. Restaurants often have regular oil pickups and might be willing to help, you just have to ask. Another option is to use less oil in the first place. Consider cooking methods like air frying or baking in the good old oven, which uses little to no oil.
Why You Shouldn’t Pour Oil Down the Drain
Do not, I repeat, do not pour oil down the drain. It will stick to the sides of the pipes, building up until the pipes are completely plugged. Which leads to no drainage and overflowing sinks. Worse than this, the oil could get into the water supply, contaminating your or neighboring water supplies. This is not only an expensive fix but also a hassle for you and anyone else who might be affected. Avoid wasting time and money by disposing of your oil properly.
Reusing Cooking Oil
The great thing about oil is that it’s reusable, so don’t toss it out after frying your chicken. The oil does tend to taste like what’s been fried in it, so fry the same things in it. Then carefully strain it to remove any leftover food particles, and then store it in its original container or another non-recyclable one. It’s best to use an airtight container to prevent the oil from going bad. Make sure to put it in the fridge, or for longer storage, you can freeze it. This step is crucial because if you don’t store it properly in the fridge or freezer, the oil can oxidize, grow stale, or even lead to health issues like botulism. Beware!
Identifying Rancid Oil
Like I said, if you leave oil out or don’t seal it properly, it can go rancid. Rancid oil is not only unpleasant but can also be harmful. So, how can you tell if your oil has gone bad? First, check the smell. Does it have a funny or stale odor? Fresh oil should have a neutral smell or no smell at all. If it smells off, that’s a clear sign it’s time to toss it.
Next, take a look at the oil. Does it look weird or have foam on top? Fresh oil is typically clear and consistent in texture. If it appears cloudy, discolored or has a strange texture, it’s probably gone bad. If you answered yes to any of these questions, throw it out. Oil is cheap enough, and it’s not worth the risk to your health or the taste of your food. So just learn your lesson, store it correctly, and buy some more.
If you have identified that the oil is rancid, you can leave it in the container it’s in and throw it out with your regular trash. Or if you want to keep the container, transfer the oil to another non-recyclable container before disposal and follow the steps above.
Conclusion
Now you know how to dispose of cooking oil, and it’s not as complicated as you might’ve thought, nor is it expensive. Just let it cool, package it safely, and throw it away. Considering how easy it is to do, it would seem people wouldn’t have trouble doing this, unfortunately, many people don’t realize the effects of pouring oil down the drain. So spread the word, and help others understand the importance of proper disposal to protect our homes and the environment.
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