We’ve all been there – you’ve just finished frying up some delicious food, and now you’re left with a pan full of used cooking oil. What do you do with it? My college friend, Josh, had a rather unconventional method: tossing it out the window onto the eave of his house. While his heart was (partially) in the right place – he knew not to pour it down the drain – his execution was, shall we say, flawed. Just to be clear, unless fending off medieval invaders, throwing grease out the window is definitely not the answer.
So, let’s get serious about grease disposal. It’s crucial to understand why improper disposal, like pouring cooking oil down the drain, is a big no-no, and explore the right ways to handle this kitchen byproduct.
Why You Should Never Pour Cooking Oil Down the Drain
You might have encountered news stories or public service announcements warning about the lurking menace beneath our city streets: the fatberg. These monstrous masses, growing steadily in sewer systems, are composed of non-biodegradable waste combined with fats, oils, and grease (FOG). Terms like “gross,” “disgusting,” or “super-freaking gnarly” barely scratch the surface of how unpleasant these fatbergs are.
The science behind fatberg formation involves a process called saponification. Essentially, cooking fats in sewers react with alkaline salts in wastewater. This chemical reaction turns the fats into a soap-like solid. This sewer soap then binds together with flushed non-flushable items like wet wipes (despite any misleading “flushable” claims on their packaging), creating massive, drain-clogging fatbergs.
Think about that last sliver of soap in your shower. You might leave it on the drain, expecting it to dissolve and wash away, only to find it stubbornly lingering for weeks. Now, imagine tons of soap accumulating in sewer pipes – you get the picture.
While fatbergs are a large-scale urban problem, stemming from city-wide waste and commercial kitchen output, your individual contribution of cooking oil down the drain does matter. Beyond the city-wide implications, pouring cooking fats down your sink can wreak havoc on your home plumbing system. Cooking oil congeals as it cools, clinging to the inside of your pipes and creating stubborn clogs that can lead to expensive plumbing bills. Avoid the hassle and the cost by properly disposing of your cooking oil.
How to Save Cooking Oil and Grease for Reuse
Before we delve into disposal methods, let’s consider a more sustainable and economical approach: reusing your cooking oil. If you cook frequently, especially dishes like steak, duck breast, chicken thighs, or fried chicken, you’ll often have leftover grease. The first question to ask yourself is: can this oil be reused, and do I want to reuse it?
Many cooks find value in saving and reusing cooking fats, and for good reason. For deep-frying oil, reuse is almost essential to avoid excessive waste. For a comprehensive guide on reusing frying oil, including how many times it’s safe to reuse, how to identify when it’s spent, and cleaning methods, refer to resources like this article on reusing fry oil.
For other types of cooking fats, assess their reusability based on two main factors: the cooking temperature reached and your intended use for the saved oil.
High heat degrades oil, making it unsuitable for reuse. If you’ve used oil for searing at high temperatures, it’s best discarded, as it has likely begun to break down. However, oil used for lower-heat cooking, like frying shallots, can be a flavorful asset. This aromatic oil can elevate salad dressings (vinaigrettes) or homemade mayonnaise.
Similarly, consider saving the flavorful fat left after browning chicken thighs or duck legs. This rendered poultry fat, infused with the flavors of the meat, is excellent for future cooking. It can be used immediately to sauté vegetables for a sauce or braise, or saved to create flavorful aroma oils for dishes like ramen and noodle soups. Duck fat and bacon fat, rendered at moderate temperatures and not burned, are particularly valuable. Imagine crispy potatoes fried in duck fat – a culinary delight!
:max_bytes(150000):strip_icc()/optaboutcomcoeusresourcescontent_migration__serious_eatsseriouseats.com201903__20190305-dispose-of-cooking-grease-vicky-wasik-1-1500×1125-b9e280735e834551acddd60d06c4da2e.jpg)
Alt text: Straining used cooking oil through a fine-mesh sieve into a labeled container, demonstrating oil reuse preparation.
The process for saving any type of cooking fat is consistent: After allowing the oil to cool slightly (warm enough to remain liquid but not scalding), strain it through a fine-mesh strainer into a heat-safe container to remove any food particles. For particularly dirty oil, line the strainer with cheesecloth or a coffee filter for finer filtration. For deep-frying oil, consider using gelatin clarification for a more thorough cleaning process, as detailed in resources like this guide on clarifying cooking oil with gelatin.
How to Throw Away Cooking Oil and Grease Properly
When reusing isn’t an option, proper disposal is key. Here are a couple of effective and mess-free methods:
One popular method involves freezing the oil. Once the oil has cooled completely, pour it into a disposable plastic container, such as a deli container or yogurt tub. Seal it with a lid and place it in the freezer. Freezing solidifies the oil, typically taking around eight hours. When you’re ready to dispose of it, briefly run warm water around the outside of the container to slightly melt the edges of the frozen oil block. This makes it easier to remove.
:max_bytes(150000):strip_icc()/optaboutcomcoeusresourcescontent_migration__serious_eatsseriouseats.com201811__20181113-homemade-ramen-aroma-oil-vicky-wasik-11-1500×1125-ca3097556be44bd2bd0f5c464196de28.jpg)
Alt text: Using a spoon to remove solidified cooking fat, demonstrating the frozen grease disposal method.
To dispose of the frozen oil, Genevieve, a food expert, recommends waiting until trash day to minimize any potential mess. “When trash day rolls around, I turn the container upside down over my bin, press gently but firmly on the bottom of the container, and the oil block slides right into the trash,” she explains. Alternatively, you can pop the frozen oil block into a plastic produce bag, tie it securely, and then discard it. This method eliminates greasy spills and drippy trash bags. The container can then be washed and reused or recycled.
Another simple method is to pour cooled oil into a sealable, disposable container. Empty plastic oil bottles are ideal for this purpose. Pour the used oil into the bottle, tightly screw on the cap, and throw the sealed bottle in the trash. If using deli containers, it’s wise to wrap them tightly in plastic wrap before disposal, as oil can sometimes leak from under the lids.
It’s important to acknowledge that proper household cooking oil disposal, unfortunately, isn’t always environmentally friendly due to the reliance on disposable plastics. However, it is essential for preventing drain problems and contributing to fatberg formation.
For large-scale food operations, like restaurants and institutional kitchens, oil recycling programs offer a more sustainable solution. These programs collect used fryer oil in drums, which are then processed by waste management companies to produce biodiesel. If you have connections with businesses participating in such programs, consider asking if you can contribute your used cooking oil to their collection.
How to Clean Up an Oil Spill at Home
Accidents happen. If you spill cooking oil on your counter or kitchen floor, quick action is key. Immediately cover the spill with a generous layer of absorbent material like flour, cornstarch, baking soda, or salt. Let it sit for a few minutes to absorb the oil. Then, sweep up the absorbent material and oil mixture with a broom or paper towel. To remove any remaining residue, wipe the area with undiluted distilled white vinegar using a sponge or cloth. Vinegar’s acidity effectively cuts through grease, leaving a clean surface. However, be mindful that vinegar can damage certain surfaces, so after cleaning, wipe the area again with plain water.
Ultimately, whether you choose to reuse your cooking oil or dispose of it, remember the golden rule: don’t feed the fatberg monster. Proper cooking oil disposal protects your home plumbing, your city’s infrastructure, and the environment.
