Dispose Of Pan Grease The Right Way

Cooking grease and oil are by-products of frying, cooking, and even baking. While pouring liquid oils or scraping remnants of shortening into the kitchen sink may seem like the best and easiest way to deal with the smelly, slippery mess, this should be avoided. Drains plagued by oils and grease will clog over time, even if you only pour a few drops into the sink. Fortunately, there are safe and simple ways to dispose of cooking grease without causing an expensive plumbing disaster. The best way to dispose of cooking oil and grease is to throw it in the trash. However, it is important to let the oil or grease cool and solidify before scraping it into a container that can be thrown away.

Let grease cool and solidify before disposal

Allowing grease to cool and solidify is the first step in disposing of it safely and correctly. Pouring grease down the drain, whether hot or cold, will clog your pipes. The grease will solidify inside your pipes, gradually decreasing the diameter of the pipe with a greasy buildup until the pipe stops draining altogether. This will also cause issues in municipal pipes and harm septic systems.

Once the grease has cooled and solidified, it can be safely disposed of in the trash. To do this, scrape the grease into a container that can be thrown away. You can use glass jars, waxy containers like milk cartons, or styrofoam boxes to contain any potential leaks. A simple way to do this is by lining a bowl with parchment paper before pouring in the used grease. Once the grease has cooled, lift the paper out of the bowl and seal it into a bag. This method reduces the number of containers sacrificed and can be more convenient.

When the container is full, place it in a plastic bag to prevent leakage and then throw it into the garbage. For sustainability reasons, it is recommended to use a large container multiple times until it is full. It is important to note that hot grease should not be poured directly into plastic bags, as it will melt the plastic and create a mess.

After disposing of the grease, use a paper towel to wipe down all pots, pans, and dishes that touched the oil before rinsing them in the sink. Even small amounts of leftover grease can be dangerous to your plumbing system, as they will build up over time.

Scrape grease into a sealable container

To dispose of pan grease, it is important to let the grease cool and solidify. Once the grease has cooled, it can be safely scraped into a sealable container. Using a sealable container will prevent leaks and spills. It is also important to use a container that can be thrown away, such as a glass jar, waxy container, or styrofoam box.

There are a few different options for the types of containers that can be used. One option is to line a bowl with parchment paper before pouring in the grease. Once the grease has cooled, it can be lifted out of the bowl by the parchment paper and sealed into a bag. This method reduces the number of containers used and can be more convenient. Another option is to use a plastic bag, such as a Ziploc bag, to contain the grease. The bag can be kept open during the cooking process to collect things like eggshells or small meat packages, which can make the trash smell bad. After scraping the grease into the bag, it can be zipped up and thrown away. It may be necessary to double bag the grease, by placing the sealed bag inside another bag, such as a leftover cereal bag.

It is important to note that hot grease should not be poured into a plastic bag, as it can melt the plastic and create a mess. It is also important to avoid pouring grease down the drain, as it will clog pipes.

Use paper towels to wipe down pots, pans and dishes

Paper towels are a great option for wiping down pots, pans, and dishes after cooking with oil or grease. They are highly absorbent and can help to remove any remaining grease or food residue. This is important because even small amounts of grease can be dangerous to your plumbing system, causing clogs and blockages over time.

When using paper towels to wipe down your cookware, it's important to be gentle and use a light touch. This is especially true if you're using a cast-iron pan, as pressing too hard can cause the paper towel to shred and leave bits of paper behind. Cheap paper towels tend to leave more paper bits behind, so it might be worth investing in a higher-quality brand or opting for a reusable cloth instead.

To effectively wipe down your pots, pans, and dishes, follow these steps:

• Allow the cookware to cool: It's important to let your pots, pans, and dishes cool down before handling them. This will help prevent burns and ensure that any grease or oil has solidified, making it easier to remove.
• Scrape off excess grease: Before wiping down your cookware, use a rubber spatula or a paper towel to scrape off any excess grease. Be careful not to pour the grease down the sink, as it can cause serious clogs. Instead, scrape it into an empty disposable can or container that can be thrown away.
• Use paper towels to wipe: Gently wipe down the surfaces of your pots, pans, and dishes with paper towels. Pay special attention to areas with built-up grease or food residue. You may need to use multiple paper towels to ensure a thorough clean.
• Rinse and wash as usual: Once you've wiped down your cookware with paper towels, rinse it under running water to remove any remaining grease or food particles. From there, you can wash the items as you normally would, using dish soap and a sponge or scrubber.

By following these steps and using paper towels to wipe down your cookware, you can help prevent grease build-up and keep your plumbing system in good working order.

Reuse or recycle grease

If you're not ready to throw away your grease yet, there are several ways to reuse or recycle it.

Reuse

If you've cooked your oil correctly and didn't heat it past its smoke point, you can reuse your oil and fats. To reuse cooking oil, follow these steps:

• Strain the semi-warm oil using a cheesecloth, paper towels, or coffee filters to remove any food particles.
• Store the oil in an airtight container in the fridge, freezer, or another cool, dark place.
• Test the grease before using it again by smelling it to make sure it's not rancid. Good grease will be smooth, while bad grease will be tacky and sticky. You can also rub a bit between your fingers to test it.

You can reuse cooking oil for deep frying, pan-frying, sautéing, and baking. After a few uses or when it goes bad, dispose of the cooking oil in your trash can.

Recycle

Some municipalities collect used kitchen grease and oil for recycling. You can use a recycling locator to find a facility near you, or call your local waste management department to find out if they collect it. By recycling your grease, you can keep it out of landfills and turn it into a form of alternative energy, like biodiesel. To recycle your used cooking oil, follow these steps:

• Strain the oil to remove food particles.
• Store the oil in a sealable container.
• Deliver it to your local collection site.

You can usually mix different oils and fats in one container unless your collection site tells you otherwise. The container doesn't need to be refrigerated, so this is an easy way to get rid of oil after frying.

Don't pour grease down the drain

It is important to remember that grease, fats, and oils should never be poured down the drain. Despite what some may think, hot water and dish soap will not prevent blockages from occurring. Grease, fats, and oils will solidify and congeal in your pipes as they cool, forming a clog that is difficult to remove. This will trap other debris and food particles, leading to plumbing woes and bringing your drains to a standstill.

Even if the grease makes it past your home plumbing system, it will wreak havoc in the municipal sewer system. Grease combines with other oil particles in the pipes, breaking down into fatty acids and glycerol. The fatty acids bind with calcium in the sewers to form soap-like compounds known as "fatbergs", which cling to the sewer ceilings and grow in size, eventually clogging the entire pipe.

In 2019, a fatberg measuring 210 feet blocked a drain in the British seaside town of Sidmouth. It took a sewer team more than eight weeks to remove this massive clump of fat. Thus, pouring grease down the drain can have expensive consequences, such as an emergency call to your plumber.

If you have already accidentally poured grease down the drain, you can try pouring boiling water down the drain to liquefy the grease. Running the hot water tap and using dish soap may help to remove the grease from your pipes, but it will still end up in the sewer system. Alternatively, you can try using an enzyme-based drain cleaner or baking soda and vinegar to clear some of the grease away.

Frequently asked questions