What's the one condiment you use all the time but never pay attention to? Cooking oil, of course! It wasn't until recently when I started to notice how oily the outside of the bottle would get after every use. Not all oils are in a sealed container. So it was only a matter of time that I began to change my ways and figure out how to not only clean up, but also how to dispose of cooking oil properly.
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Used cooking oil can really be bad for the environment. From sewer backups to plumbing emergencies, grease disposal can be a nightmare for your maintenance. Rancid oil, coffee filters, solid waste, cat litter, canola, and vegetable oil cause blockages all the time in wastewater treatment plants. Here are my top tips for keeping your shelves clean, as well as the sewer system clean of clogs.
Do This:
1. Buy a bottle dish to place your oil bottle in. This should prevent the oil from dripping onto your shelves.
2. After every use (because we literally pick up olive oil every day), grab a paper towel to wipe down the bottle before putting it back.
3. Wipe all pots, pans, and dishware before washing them. At least you won't have to wash them twice to get the food particles and grease off!
4. Recycle oil by pouring it into a plastic bag or sealable container, and then throw it away. This is the most proper disposal. Some recycling centers may have cooking oil recycling stations, so take advantage of these if you can.
5. Food scraps go into the trash and not the sink.
6. Rinse anything that's going into the dishwasher with cold water.
Don't Do This:
1. Garbage disposals in the kitchen sink and food grinders are known to clog up the line, so don't throw food down the drain. Opt for a trash bag or trash can.
2. Cooking oil disposal is just as important. Don't wipe dishes because the oil can go into your sewer system through your washing.
3. Don't pour cooking grease or hot oil directly into the sink.
4. Don't flush any food waste.
5. You don't have to reuse cooking oil.
6. Don't run hot water on the dishes. Room temperature should be fine.
And there you have it, the proper way to dispose of cooking oil. All of this applies to fryers too, of course. Happy cleaning!
