Fryer Grease: How Long Does It Last?

Frying oil can be reused several times before it needs to be discarded. The lifespan of frying oil depends on various factors, such as the type of oil, the frequency of use, the food being fried, and the maintenance of the oil. It is important to note that reusing oil for too long can have negative health effects. To ensure the best taste and quality, it is recommended to change the oil regularly and store it properly between uses.

How to store fryer grease

Storing fryer grease correctly is essential to ensure it remains usable and doesn't turn rancid. Here are some detailed instructions on how to store fryer grease:

Allow the Grease to Cool

Before storing or handling fryer grease, it is crucial to let it cool down completely. Unplug the fryer and let it sit for a few hours until it reaches room temperature. This step is important for safety reasons, as hot grease can cause severe burns.

Remove and Strain the Grease

Once the fryer has cooled, carefully remove the grease. Pour it into a plastic bowl or container to separate it from the fryer. It is important to note that you should never pour grease down the sink drain, as it can cause plumbing issues. After removing the grease, use a fine-mesh sieve, cheesecloth, or a strainer to filter it. This step helps remove any leftover food particles, which can affect the taste and quality of the grease during reuse.

Choose a Suitable Container

Select an appropriately sized container for storing the strained grease. It is recommended to use a dark-coloured bottle, a glass jar, or an opaque stainless-steel container. Avoid using metal containers other than stainless steel, as copper and brass can react with the oil. Make sure the container has a tight-fitting lid or cap to prevent oxidation and the entry of contaminants.

Label and Date the Container

Before storing the container, label it with the date of the oil's first use and the type of food fried in it. Cooking oils tend to retain the flavours of the food cooked in them, so labelling is essential to avoid mixing flavours. For example, you wouldn't want to use oil that was previously used for frying fish to fry doughnuts.

Store in a Cool, Dark Place

Store the container of grease in a cool, dry, and dark place, such as a pantry or cupboard. Avoid storing it near heat sources like the stove, oven, or microwave. Heat and light accelerate the oxidation of the oil, leading to rancidity and an unpleasant taste and odour.

Consider Refrigeration or Freezing

For long-term storage, consider storing the grease in the refrigerator or freezer. While a cool, dark cupboard is suitable for short-term storage, the cooler temperatures of a refrigerator or freezer are more effective at slowing oxidation and preventing rancidity. If you plan to store the grease for more than a month, the freezer is your best option to maintain its freshness.

Reuse or Dispose Properly

Fryer grease can be reused a few times, depending on the type of oil and the food fried in it. However, it is important to monitor the quality of the grease. If it becomes dark in colour, changes viscosity, or develops an unpleasant odour, it is time to discard it. Do not pour it down the drain; instead, dispose of it in the trash or, preferably, recycle it responsibly.

How to know if fryer grease has gone bad

Fryer grease or oil can be reused several times, but it's important to know when it has gone bad to protect your health and avoid ruining the taste of your food. Here are some detailed signs to look out for that indicate your fryer grease has gone bad:

Colour and Consistency

Check if the oil has become darker and thicker. Fresh oil should typically be light in colour and have a thin consistency. If your oil appears darker and thicker, it's a sign of rancidity, and it's time to change it.

Smell

Oil that has gone bad will often have an unpleasant smell. It may smell rancid, musty, or even soapy or chemical. If you detect any strange or unpleasant odours coming from your fryer grease, it's best to discard it.

Foaming

If you notice foaming on the surface of the oil when it is hot, this is a sign that the oil has gone bad. Fresh oil should not produce excessive foaming.

Smoke

Keep an eye on the amount of smoke produced by the oil. If it is giving off more smoke than usual, this could indicate that it has surpassed its smoke point and has started to break down, releasing a substance called acrolein.

Taste

If you've fried some food and it tastes burnt or stale, this could be a sign that your oil has gone bad. The acrolein released when oil breaks down its smoke point will give food a bitter taste.

Time and Usage

Even if your oil doesn't display any of the above signs, it's important to keep track of how long you've had it and how many times you've used it. Oil can be reused anywhere from two to eight times, depending on the type of oil and what you're frying. However, it should typically be changed after eight to ten uses and should not be reused if it has been stored for more than one to two months.

Storage

If you haven't been storing your oil correctly, it is more likely to go bad. Oil should be stored in a cool, dark place, preferably in a sealed container, to maximise its longevity.

How to dispose of fryer grease

Used fryer grease should be disposed of responsibly to avoid causing plumbing issues and sewer problems. Here are some ways to dispose of fryer grease:

Pour Grease into a Sealable Container

Allow the grease to cool completely, then pour it into a sealable container. You can use an empty, rinsed aluminium can with a reusable silicone lid, a plastic yogurt tub, or a storage container. Avoid using glass containers as they can shatter and pose a risk to sanitation workers. Absorbent materials such as paper garbage or crumpled paper towels can be placed in the container to solidify the grease. Once the container is full, seal it and dispose of it with your regular trash.

Recycle Used Grease

Large amounts of grease can be recycled at designated facilities. Check with your local waste management or environmental services department to find out about specific drop-off locations or curbside pick-up programs. Some facilities, such as the Regional Water Quality Treatment Plant, may have specific event days for hazardous waste disposal, including used cooking grease.

Reuse Grease for Cooking

Before disposing of the grease, consider reusing it for cooking. Grease such as bacon grease or schmaltz (chicken grease) can be used in place of vegetable oil for roasting vegetables or making cornbread. Solidified grease can be used instead of lard or shortening for biscuits or as a spread for toast.

Composting

A small amount of grease can be added to a home compost bin if done properly. Check your local rules and guidelines before adding grease to your compost, as most municipal compost facilities do not allow grease or oil.

Use Grease for Bird Feeders

As suggested by Elizabeth Balkan, director of food waste for the Natural Resources Defense Council, grease can be used to make bird feeders. Dip a pine cone in melted grease or oil, coat it with seeds, and hang it from a tree branch.

Use Grease for Fire Starters

Pour hot grease over a bin full of crumpled paper towels. Once the grease solidifies, the towels can be used as fire starters for your fireplace or charcoal grill, as fats are highly combustible.

It is important to note that fryer grease should not be poured down the drain, as it can cause plumbing issues and contribute to sewer problems. Always allow the grease to cool before handling and disposing of it, and consider reusing or recycling it whenever possible to reduce waste.

How to clean a fryer

Step 1: Allow Fryer to Cool

It is important to always unplug your fryer and let it cool down completely before you start cleaning it. This can take several hours.

Step 2: Remove Oil and Basket

Before you can start deep cleaning a fryer, you need to remove the oil and the basket. Oil should be carefully lifted and poured into a plastic bowl or container. If the oil is still clean, you can strain it and store it in a cool, dark place to reuse later. If it is cloudy, dark, smelly, or has foam on top, dispose of it in the trash. Do not pour oil down the sink as it can cause plumbing issues.

The basket can be washed in the sink with hot water and dish soap. A cleaning brush can help to loosen bits of food stuck to the basket.

Step 3: Clean the Fryer Interior

Use an abrasive sponge or a straight plastic edge to scrape away any build-up on the sides and bottom of the fryer. Then, fill the fryer with water up to the maximum oil line and add a few drops of dish soap. Plug the fryer in, turn it on, and let the water come to a boil. This will help to break down grease inside the unit. Let the water boil for 5 to 15 minutes, depending on how dirty the fryer is. Once done, turn off the fryer, unplug it, and let the water cool down.

After the water has cooled, dump out the soapy water and rinse the fryer well to ensure there is no soap left inside. Use a cloth to wipe down the inside of the fryer, removing any remaining oil and grease. If more soap is needed, use a small bowl to mix liquid dish soap and hot water to form suds. Dip the cloth in the mixture and scrub.

If there is still oil inside the fryer, make a paste with baking soda and water and work it into the areas with a sticky film or stuck-on residue. If the fryer has a metal reservoir, you can use a steel wool sponge to scour dirty areas.

Step 4: Clean the Fryer Exterior

Once the inside is clean, wipe down the outside of the fryer with a cloth and the same soapy water mixture to remove any oil spots. Also, wipe down the fryer cord with a cloth dampened with soapy water.

Step 5: Dry the Fryer

When your fryer is clean, use a clean, dry cloth to wipe down as much of the fryer as you can. Allow the rest of the fryer to air dry. Once the fryer is totally dry, you can refill it with oil.

How Often to Clean a Fryer

How often you need to clean your fryer depends on how much you use it. If you deep fry at least once a week, it is recommended to clean the fryer every three months. If you use it daily, you can do a thorough wipe-down in between uses and a weekly deep clean.

How to Store Oil

If you are storing oil to reuse later, pour the strained oil into a well-washed and dried one-litre pop bottle. Label the bottle with the date of the oil's first use and add the date of each successive use. Store the bottle in a cool, dark place.

Health risks of using old fryer grease

Old fryer grease can pose several health risks if not handled and disposed of properly. While reusing fryer grease is a common practice, it's important to follow certain guidelines to ensure safety and maintain the quality of fried foods. Here are some key considerations regarding the health risks of using old fryer grease:

Food Quality and Taste

Using old fryer grease can negatively impact the quality and taste of fried foods. With each use, the oil becomes more destabilized until it eventually decomposes. Reusing oil too many times can result in food that tastes acrid and greasy. Additionally, old grease can cause food to have an unpleasant, bitter taste due to the release of a substance called acrolein when oil surpasses its smoke point.

Bacterial Contamination

Improper handling and storage of old fryer grease can lead to bacterial contamination. If used oil is not cooled, filtered, and stored correctly, it can become a breeding ground for bacteria. This contaminated oil can then be transferred to food during the frying process, potentially leading to foodborne illnesses.

Rancidity and Off-Flavors

Old fryer grease is prone to rancidity, which occurs when oil gets oxidized due to age, prolonged exposure to heat, or light. Rancid oil will have a soapy or chemical smell and a dark appearance. Using rancid oil for frying can impart an unpleasant taste and odor to the food, rendering it unsafe for consumption.

Allergenic Reactions

Using old fryer grease that has been used for frying breaded or battered foods can be risky for individuals with allergies. Even after filtering, small traces of allergens, such as gluten or dairy, may remain in the oil. If this oil is then used to fry other foods, it can cause cross-contamination, triggering allergic reactions in susceptible individuals.

Health Hazards of Improper Disposal

Improper disposal of old fryer grease can also pose health risks. Dumping grease down the drain or into trash cans can lead to environmental contamination and affect the health of those in the surrounding areas. Grease hardens and infiltrates local sewer systems, water lines, and waste management facilities, leading to blockages and the overflow of unsanitary bacteria. Additionally, improper disposal can attract insects and vermin, further increasing the risk of health hazards.

To mitigate these health risks, it is crucial to follow best practices for handling, storing, and disposing of fryer grease. This includes regularly changing the oil, proper filtration, and working with reputable fryer oil recycling companies to ensure responsible and eco-friendly disposal.

Frequently asked questions