Cooking oil and grease are common ingredients used in many recipes to fry, sauté, or roast food. But once the meal is cooked, how do you properly dispose of the leftover grease? Simply tossing it in the trash or pouring it down the drain can lead to serious environmental and plumbing problems. Let’s explore how to safely dispose of cooking grease.
What Is Cooking Oil or Grease?
Before we review the best way to dispose of cooking grease, it’s important to understand what they are. Cooking oil is a liquid fat derived from plant or animal sources, such as vegetable oils or bacon grease. Grease is a semi-solid, fatty substance typically produced from cooking meat and other foods. Both cooking oil and grease are used to add flavor and texture to dishes, but they can also pose a danger if not disposed of properly.
Why Should You Dispose of Cooking Grease Properly?
When you pour oil down the drain, this can have serious consequences for your plumbing and sewer system down the line. Learn more about the negative effects of disposing of cooking oil improperly with this guide:
The Best Way to Dispose of Cooking Grease
If you want to learn how to safely dispose of cooking grease, you may think that you need to jump through several hoops to find a safe, eco-friendly method. Fortunately, that isn’t the case. There are many straightforward ways to dispose of this residue, so let’s take a closer look at each of them.
- Pour Grease into a Container
If you only have small amounts of cooking oil to dispose of, the process of how to safely dispose of cooking grease is pretty straightforward. All you’ll need is a container. This way, you can seal the container and toss it in the trash, preventing it from solidifying and blocking your pipes. Additionally, many grocery stores and recycling centers accept used cooking oil and grease for recycling purposes, so you can check with their local facility for information.
- Use a Compost Pile
Another way you can dispose of small amounts of cooking oil is by adding it to your compost pile. Vegetable oils, like olive oil, can be beneficial in the composting process, as they can help break down organic matter and add nutrients to the soil. However, it’s important to note that animal-based fats, like bacon grease, should not be added to compost piles, as they can attract rodents and other unwanted pests.
- Use Paper Towels or Coffee Filters
If you have small amounts of residue on your pots and pans, the best way to dispose of cooking grease is to use paper towels or coffee filters to absorb it. Once absorbed, you can toss the towels or filters into the trash without any harmful repercussions.
- Recycle Deep Frying Oils
If you use a deep fryer to cook your food, you can recycle the oil by straining it through a cheesecloth or coffee filter and storing it in an airtight container. The oil can then be reused two to three times, depending on the type of food you’re cooking, before it needs to be disposed of.
Schedule Your Drain Cleaning Services Today
Roasted, sautéd, and fried foods can be exciting to make — but that doesn’t mean you should be lax about how you dispose of the leftover residue. By following the simple steps for how to safely dispose of cooking grease, you can protect yourself, your home, and the environment.
As you can see, there is no best way to dispose of cooking grease, so you can try each method out and find which one works for your needs. When you use these different tips, you can keep your drains working without a hitch and can avoid needing a Phoenix plumber to help remove a blockage of unwanted grease buildup.
Do you need a professional drain cleaning in Glendale, AZ? Don’t worry — Bumble Bee Plumbing is here to help. Contact us today to schedule an appointment!
