Processed olive oil pouring from a spout
FOOD NEWS
12 Best Ways To Dispose Of Used Cooking Oils
BY SAMANTHA STORMS
A sheet of aluminum foil
Use Foil
Use aluminum foil to contain used cooking oils before disposing. First, line a bowl or a sink drain with the foil to prevent their surface from oil's direct contact.
A person holding an aluminum foil sheet
Next, gently pour the oil onto the foil-lined surface, let it sit until it solidifies, then ball up the foil around it and toss it into the trash can for an easy cleanup.
A person opening the fridge door
Chill The Oil
Pour oil into a container and place it in the fridge until it solidifies, then dump the solidified oil into the trash can. This method helps reduce the risk of spills.
A man opening a freezer drawer
Reuse
Let the oil cool slightly, strain it to remove any food particles, and store it in an airtight container in the freezer for up to three to four weeks before reusing the oil.
A woman pouring oil through a funnel and into a bottle
Use Disposables
When you're short on time, pour used oil into any disposable container, secure it to avoid leaks or spills in the trash bag, and toss it into the trash can.
Oil boiling in a pan
Cool and Scrape
This simple method doesn't need any disposable containers or other tools. Let the used oil naturally solidify in the pan and scrape it into the trash without leaks.
In some circumstances, you can also add certain types of fat while the used cooking oil is still warm so the oil coagulates, enabling you to scrape it off your pan more easily.