Although cooking oil is among the ingredients in some of the best dishes in any kitchen, it's hard to clean up the mess it leaves behind. After it cools down, decide whether you want to dispose of it, reuse it, or donate it. Store product in a tightly closed container before doing anything; put it in the trash can for garbage collectors to collect; or hand everything over to a local restaurant or recycling cooperative. Finally, never throw anything in the sink.
Steps
Method 1 of 3: Putting the Oil in the Trash
Step 1. Allow the oil to cool before mixing it
To reduce the risk of burning yourself, allow the oil to cool completely before disposing of it. Never try to pick up hot pans with the product. Depending on the quantity, you may have to wait a few hours.
- If necessary, let the oil cool overnight - until it is at room temperature.
- If there is little oil in the pan, allow it to cool and wipe off the residue with a sheet of paper towel.
Step 2. Choose a container made of strong material and with a tight lid
If you want to reuse the oil, use a clean container to store it. Avoid glass jars, which are fragile and break easily. Always opt for plastic pots, with screw caps - mayonnaise, olives, etc. Also, put some kind of identification on it.
If you don't plan to donate or reuse the oil, cut off the top of a soda can and transfer the product to it
Step 3. Place the container with the oil in the trash
Cover the pot tightly and place it in the trash can. Do not transfer the oil without the container to the can, as this will dirty the place and attract rodents.
Step 4. Freeze the oil and dispose of it in the trash
If you don't have a pot with a reusable lid, store the regular pot in the freezer for a few hours. When it gets hard, use a spoon to transfer everything to the trash can.
You can also use a mug. Just be sure to wash it with soap and water after throwing the oil away
Step 5. Put the oil directly into a plastic garbage bag
Use a bag that already has some litter, such as paper towels, leftover vegetables or the like. Pour the oil directly into it so that other residues absorb the product. Then tie and place the bag in the can.
Step 6. Do not pour oil down the sink drain
Never dispose of cooking oil in the sink as it will end up clogging the pipe. It's no use diluting it with detergent or water - it makes no difference.
The sink and grease trap may overflow if the pipe becomes clogged. Never pour oil down the drain
Step 7. Do not use oil in the compost pile
Do not use the oil you used to fry animal products in a compost pile. It can attract rodents, reduce the passage of oxygen through the materials in the heap, and even slow down the chemical process.
Method 2 of 3: Reusing Oil
Step 1. Store oil in an airtight container at room temperature
If you want to accumulate enough oil before reusing it, transfer the product to an airtight container. Store this pot in the pantry (at room temperature) until the time is right.
Step 2. Pass the oil through a coffee filter before using it again
Place a coffee filter on top of the oil container. Secure it with a rubber and pass the product through it little by little to retain the solid particles.
Food particles can make the oil rancid and encourage mold growth
Step 3. Reuse the oil to fry more food
You can fry more foods - they just have to be the same type, as the oil has absorbed some of the flavor of the products. For example, don't fry rice balls in an oil pan you've already used to fry potatoes. In some situations, it is impossible to extract and separate the flavors from the residues.
The only exception to this rule is to use the oil to fry vegetables, which don't usually change the flavor of the substance
Step 4. Do not use the same oil more than twice
You can reuse the oil if you filter and store it well, but never pass twice. Always inspect and see if the product is cloudy, foamy or has a strong smell. Also, never mix different types of cooking oil.
The oil's smoke point may decrease if you use it more than twice. Thus, the product will burn faster. It also causes the fat to release free radicals and fatty acids with harmful trans and unsaturated fats
Method 3 of 3: Recycling the Oil
Step 1. Contact the city to find out if there is a local recycling program
Visit the website or call the city hall and find out more about the subject. Depending on the case, she may even hand out special collection cans for cooking oil.
Also find out if there are other cooking oil collection programs, even if they are not directly linked to the city
Step 2. Store the oil in a container until it's time to recycle
Transfer the oil to a container with a tight lid. Choose a material that is resistant and does not break easily, such as plastic. Also, leave it at room temperature until it's time to donate or recycle.
Step 3. Donate the cooking oil
Find out if there are local cooperatives that accept cooking oil donations. They can produce biofuel, soap and other products. To find out more, do a Google search.
In some cases, you may even have a tax deduction if you donate cooking oil
Step 4. Recycle any type of cooking oil
Most recycling centers use all types of cooking oil to produce biofuel, soap and the like. Talk to someone responsible for the cooperative before making the donation and do not mix the oil with other products.