Frying the morning meal? Adding bacon oil to your vegetables for added flavor? While cooking oil and grease enhance the flavor of any dish, they can create a huge mess in the kitchen. Make sure you know how to dispose of cooking oil, as improper disposal can result in costly consequences, such as an emergency call to your plumber.
Continue reading to learn how to properly dispose of bacon grease and frying oil, including what not to do, as brought to you by dumpster in miami.
How to Dispose of Cooking Oil and Grease
1. Toss It Out
The easiest way to dispose of frying oil and grease is to throw it away. Follow the instructions below to securely dispose of these heated liquids:
- Allow the oil or grease to cool and harden.
- Once the grease has cooled, scoop it into a container that may be discarded.
- When the container is filled, place it in a plastic bag to prevent leakage, then discard it. For environmental reasons, we advocate reusing a large container until it is full.
After removing the majority of the grease, wipe all pots, pans, and dishes that came into contact with the oil with a paper towel before rinsing them in the sink. Even small amounts of leftover grease pose a threat to your plumbing system, as it accumulates over time. For environmental reasons, we advocate reusing a large container until it is full.
2. Reuse, and Recycle Your Cooking Oil
Not quite ready to dispose of your grease? Keep the used cooking oil in storage. Eventually, you can reuse it or recycle it at a local collection station.
How to Reuse Cooking Oil in Your Own Home
As long as you have boiled the oil properly and have not heated it over its smoke point, you can reuse oil and fats. Follow these three easy procedures to recycle cooking oil:
- Using cheesecloth, paper towels, or coffee filters, strain the oil to eliminate food particles.
- Keep in an airtight container in the refrigerator, freezer, or another cool, dark location.
- Ensure that the frying fat is not rancid before using it by smelling it.
It is possible to reuse cooking oil for deep-frying, sautéing, baking, and pan-frying. After a few uses or when it has gone rancid, discard cooking oil in the garbage as described above.
How to Recycle Cooking Oil at a Drop-Off Location
Some localities collect discarded cooking oil and grease for recycling purposes. Use this tool to discover a recycling center near you. This will keep grease out of landfills and convert it into an alternative energy source, such as biodiesel. Follow these three steps to recycle your cooking oil:
- Use a strainer to remove food particles from the oil.
- Keep in an airtight container.
- Deliver it to your nearest drop-off location.
When recycling through a collection center, you can typically combine different oils and fats in one container, unless otherwise instructed. This is a convenient way to dispose of oil after frying, as the container does not need to be refrigerated.
What to Avoid When Reusing Cooking Oil
The best way to dispose of cooking oil is in your garbage can, but many people dispose of grease in ways that are hazardous to the environment or your plumbing system. Follow these key guidelines for grease disposal:
1. Avoid pouring cooking oil down the drain
Never pour cooking oil down the toilet or drain. This causes your plumbing system to become clogged and contributes to larger blockages in municipal lines, which can cause thousands of dollars in damage.
When hot, oil and grease may be liquid, but as they cool inside your pipes, they solidify and collect debris. As the accumulation of grease increases, it impedes the free flow of water. This causes flooding in the kitchen and bathroom.
What You Should Do If You Pour Oil Down a Drain
Accidents can occur when disposing of cooking oil, especially if guests are helping you clean up after a holiday meal.
If grease or cooking oil enters your sink or toilet, take immediate action with these suggestions from Roto-Rooter:
- Pour baking soda and white vinegar into the drain to remove some grease.
- Consider using an enzyme-based drain cleaner, such as Pipe Shield by Roto-Rooter, which helps neutralize grease in both metal and PVC pipes.
Use a plunger to further dislodge the grease clog if your sink or toilet continues to run slowly. Having no success with these solutions? Unfortunately, a plumber will be required.
2. Do not dump cooking oil on the ground
To dispose of oil and bacon grease properly, you cannot spill it outside. The sewer system becomes clogged if cooking oil is thrown on the ground.
Moreover, according to the Environmental Protection Agency of the United States, animal fats and vegetable oils left outside constitute a harm to animals.
2. Avoid adding frying oil to your compost pile
A small amount of vegetable oils in your compost may be acceptable, but an excess can cause ventilation and moisture issues, damaging your fertilizer.
Due to their stench, potential to attract vermin, and other elements that make compost unhealthy, animal fats should also be eliminated from your compost pile. You should never dispose of oil or grease in your compost pile, regardless of the type.
Reducing the Effects on Your Family While Optimizing Flavor
Be sure to dispose of or recycle oil appropriately, whether you’re preparing a large holiday meal or frying bacon for breakfast. You should never pour oil down the drain if you don’t want to invite your neighborhood plumber around for dessert.
