Mastering Oil Hardening In A Pan: A Quick Guide

There are many ways to harden oil in a pan. One way is to pour the oil into a plastic container or glass jar and wait for it to harden before throwing it away. Another method is to use waste cooking oil powder or FryAway, a plant-based powder that turns oil into a solid gel. Alternatively, you can add baking soda to the greasy pan, which will form a thick paste that can be thrown away. Lastly, you can use gelatin to filter the oil by dissolving powdered gelatin in boiling water and then stirring it into the oil.

Use FryAway, a plant-based powder that transforms oil into a solid

FryAway is a 100% plant-based, non-toxic powder that solidifies used cooking oil for safe and easy disposal. It is designed to transform any type of cooking oil into solid, organic waste.

To use FryAway, simply sprinkle and stir the powder into hot oil until it is fully dissolved. Then, let the oil cool down and solidify before tossing it into the trash. FryAway is safe to discard with other organic waste, and it will break down in as little as 30 days.

FryAway is available in three sizes: Pan Fry, Deep Fry, and Super Fry. Pan Fry is suitable for frying with smaller amounts of oil, up to 2 cups. Deep Fry is ideal for frying with larger amounts of oil, up to 8 cups. Super Fry offers flexibility, allowing you to solidify 1 cup of oil per 1 scoop of FryAway, for up to 1.5 gallons of oil.

Using FryAway is a convenient, hassle-free, and responsible way to dispose of used cooking oil. It eliminates the need for paper towels, plastic bags, jars, or pouring oil down the drain, which can cause pipe blockages and sewer overflows. With FryAway, you can enjoy frying without the guilt, knowing that you are contributing to a planet-friendly frying culture.

Pour oil into a plastic container or glass jar and wait for it to harden

Pouring oil down the drain is a major no-no. The oil ends up in sewer systems, where it congeals with other waste, forming blockages called fatbergs. These fat clogs are expensive to clear and can cause sewer overflows that contaminate the surrounding waters.

A common alternative is to pour the oil into a plastic container or glass jar and wait for it to harden before throwing it away. However, this method isn't perfect, as it sends a recyclable container to a landfill. If you opt for this method, make sure the oil has completely cooled before pouring it into the container. You can also pour the oil into a lidded container that you were going to throw out anyway, such as an empty milk carton.

Another option is to use a waste cooking oil powder or flakes, such as FryAway, which transforms the oil into a solid gel or blubbery brick that can be easily removed from the pan and disposed of in the compost or trash. This method is more environmentally friendly, as it doesn't involve sending a plastic container to a landfill.

Mix with baking soda to form a thick paste

If you want to harden oil in a pan, one method is to mix the oil with baking soda to form a thick paste. This is a great way to dispose of cooking oil without pouring it down the drain, which can cause clogs.

To do this, simply add baking soda to the greasy pan. The amount of baking soda needed will depend on the amount of oil in the pan. You want to add enough so that the oil is no longer liquid and forms a thick paste. Once the paste is formed, you can roll it up in a piece of parchment paper and throw it away. Alternatively, you can place the paste in a bowl or jar and dispose of it later.

This method is not only convenient but also safe for your drain. It's important to note that you should always wait for oil to cool down before attempting to dispose of it.

Use gelatin to filter oil

Filtering oil with gelatin is an easy and effective way to clean and reuse frying oil. This method is especially useful for home cooks who don't have access to commercial filtration systems and want to avoid waste. It's also a more affordable option compared to constantly buying new oil.

The process is simple: first, let your oil cool down to room temperature or slightly warmer. This is important for safety reasons and to ensure the gelatin works effectively. For every quart of oil you plan to filter, measure out half a cup of water into a separate pot or container. Sprinkle the water with one teaspoon of powdered gelatin and let it sit for a few minutes to hydrate and form a bloom.

Once the gelatin has bloomed, stir the mixture continuously while bringing it to a simmer. Keep stirring until the gelatin has completely dissolved and you have a homogeneous solution. It's important to use powdered gelatin as other forms may not dissolve properly, affecting the effectiveness of the filtration process.

Now, vigorously stir the gelatin/water mixture into your pot of dirty frying oil. The oil should turn very cloudy at this stage. Cover the pot and place it in the refrigerator, or transfer the mixture to a separate container and refrigerate overnight.

The next day, you'll find that the oil has floated to the top, leaving behind a neat disk of gelatin filled with all the burnt bits and impurities from the oil. Simply pour off the clean oil into a separate pot or container, discard the gelatin disk, and your clarified oil is ready to use!

This method is not only effective but also minimises the cleanup process. Instead of having to clean out a strainer, you can easily dispose of the gelatin disk, making it a convenient and mess-free way to filter and reuse frying oil.

Pour into a bowl lined with foil and wait for it to harden

Pouring oil down the drain is a major no-no. The oil will end up in sewer systems, where it congeals, causing blockages called fatbergs. These cost some cities millions of dollars per year to clean up and can cause sewer overflows that pollute surrounding waters.

One solution is to pour the oil into a bowl lined with foil and wait for it to harden. Then, throw it away. This method will protect your drain, but it's not ideal if you have low tolerance for visible clutter.

If you want to dispose of the oil immediately, you can add baking soda to the greasy pan. The soda will form a thick paste, which you can roll up in a piece of parchment paper and throw away.

Another option is to use a product like FryAway, a plant-based powder that transforms liquid oil into a solid that can be scooped out of the pan and thrown away. Simply sprinkle the powder over the used cooking oil and wait for it to transform into a blubbery brick.

Frequently asked questions