How To Properly Dispose Of Used Cooking Oil — And The Mistake To Avoid

Used cooking oil might not be glamorous, but it's a necessary by-product of preparing delicious food. If you want to make the crispiest fried eggs, crunchy fried chicken, or a proper Spanish tortilla, you're going to have to deal with leftover cooking oil. There's simply no way around it. But don't let a little oil scare you off: With the help of a few simple tips, safely and responsibly disposing of used cooking oil can be a painless process.

First of all, let's be absolutely clear about what not to do. Please, if nothing else, do not pour used cooking oil down your sink. It may seem like the most convenient option in the heat of the moment, but it's a terrible idea. The oil will solidify as it cools, causing drain clogs, damage to the entire sewage system, and environmental contamination. Also, don't dump the used cooking oil into your yard — it will end up in the sewage system all the same and can be harmful to animals and plants. The simplest way to dispose of leftover cooking oil is to let it cool, pour it into a sealable container such as a jar, empty detergent bottle, or old milk jug, and toss it in the trash.

Sometimes you end up with just a tiny bit of cooking oil leftover. In these scenarios, it can be especially tempting to dump it down the drain. A little bit can't hurt, right? Unfortunately, it can. Please don't do that. Instead, soak the oil up with paper towels, put them in a sealed plastic bag, and throw it all in the trash. If you don't have any, you can always use paper coffee filters instead of paper towels. You can also mix some vegetable oils into your home compost. However, this only works with small amounts of plant-based oil — one cup at the most. 

Additionally, reusing your frying oil can be a waste-reducing and cost-effective option. However, it's vital to handle and store the oil properly if you are going to reuse it. Once the oil has cooled, strain it through a coffee filter or cheesecloth into a sealed, airtight container. Store it in a cool, dry place and try to use it within a few days. (This is a great excuse to make more fried food.) As a side note, you should also store and reuse bacon grease as it lends a great deal of flavor to any dish it's added to. 

The next time you fry up something in your kitchen, rest assured that there are many simple, safe, and sustainable ways to deal with the leftover oil. We promise your crispy, fried food will taste even better when you're experiencing the self-satisfied feeling of having properly disposed of your used cooking oil.