The Gelatin Trick To Clean Used Frying Oil

If you're a fan of deep frying food at home, you likely know just how much oil it takes. Of course, once so much oil is used, it can be disappointing to simply toss it out. But leftover oil doesn't have to end up down the drain or tossed in the trash can. Both of those disposal methods are wasteful. The good news is that there's a simple and effective solution. You can easily clean your used frying oil so that it can be reused.

The key to cleaning used frying oil is a simple ingredient that you likely already have in your pantry — gelatin! Gelatin is a protein that is found in animal connective tissues, such as skin, bones, and cartilage. When you mix gelatin with hot water, it forms a gel-like substance. This gel contains molecules called collagen, which can trap impurities in the frying oil so that they can be easily removed.

To clean used frying oil by using gelatin, it's first important to allow the oil enough time to cool down. Hot oil can cause the gelatin to break down and lose its effectiveness, so be patient before adding the gelatin into the used oil. Once the oil has come to room temperature, mix gelatin with water in a separate bowl. You can use one teaspoon of gelatin to a half cup of boiling hot water. Be sure to stir until the gelatin dissolves completely.

Next, slowly pour the gelatin mixture into the pot of used frying oil while stirring with a wooden spoon. Keep stirring to ensure the gelatin has fully mixed in with the oil. Once you've finished stirring, cover the pot and place it in the refrigerator for a few hours or overnight. The gelatin will have solidified, and the impurities in the oil will be trapped in the gelatin. Remove the layer of gelatin from the pot, and you're left with clean frying oil that can be used again.

So, the next time you are frying up your favorite foods, don't toss out the oil. Give this gelatin trick a try and enjoy clean and reusable oil for your future frying needs.