Creative Ways To Reuse Your Fondue Oil

Used fondue oil can be a pain to dispose of, but it's important to do it properly to avoid damaging your plumbing and the environment. Here are some safe ways to get rid of it:

- Let the oil cool completely, then pour it into a disposable container (such as an old milk carton) with a lid, and throw it in the trash.

- Mix the oil with an absorbent material like cat litter, sand, or sawdust, then throw it in the trash.

- Pour small amounts of oil into a coffee mug and place it in the fridge. Once the oil solidifies, scoop it out and throw it away.

- Check if there are any local recycling programs or drop-off spots for used cooking oil. Some cities collect used oil to be recycled into biodiesel.

- Reuse the oil for your next fondue! Just make sure to strain the oil with a coffee filter or cheesecloth to remove any particles, and store it in an airtight container until you need it again. However, it's important to note that oil deteriorates each time it's reused, so only reuse it once or twice, and if it smells rancid, toss it out.

Don't pour it down the drain

It is extremely important not to pour fondue oil down the drain. This is because oil can cause plumbing issues and damage pipes. It can also lead to sewage backup and water backups in your kitchen and bathroom.

Oil poured down the drain will solidify inside the drainpipe, gradually decreasing the diameter of the pipe with a greasy buildup until the pipe stops draining altogether. This can cause clogs not only in your pipes but also in the city sewer mains.

If you pour oil outside on the ground, it can cause problems for wildlife and create issues with the sewer system.

Reuse it

Used fondue oil can be reused in several ways. Here are some suggestions:

Reheat and Reuse for Fondue or Frying

If you plan to reuse the oil for fondue or frying, it is important to first strain the oil through a coffee filter or several layers of cheesecloth to remove any particles and crumbs. Then, pour the oil into an airtight container and store it in a cool, dark place until you need it again. It is recommended that you only reuse oil once or twice as each time it is reused, the oil deteriorates and the smoke point (the temperature at which it will burn) decreases. Before reusing the oil, give it a sniff test; if it smells rancid, it should be discarded.

Make Soap or Herbicide

Used cooking oil can be transformed into homemade soap. To do this, filter and clean the oil by combining it with a 10% saltwater solution for an hour. Then, strain the mixture, stir in some hydrogen peroxide, and add a lye solution. Used cooking oil can also be poured into a spray bottle and used as a herbicide to kill weeds in your garden.

Oil Your Gardening Tools

Soak a clean rag in used cooking oil and rub it over your gardening tools to keep them clean and rust-free. The oil can also be applied to pans, pots, and other metal surfaces such as bike chains.

Use as a Makeup Remover or Hair Treatment

Unused olive or coconut oil can be gently rubbed over makeup to remove it. It can also be used as a hair mask. Apply the oil to your hair, cover with a shower cap, and let it soak for an hour before shampooing. Be sure to check that the oil doesn't smell rancid before using it on your skin or hair.

Freeze it

If you have used fondue oil that you want to get rid of, you can freeze it and then throw it away. Here is a detailed, step-by-step guide on how to do this:

Firstly, let the oil cool down completely. It is important to never try to dispose of oil when it is still hot, as this can be dangerous. Once the oil has cooled, you can begin the process of freezing it.

Next, you will need to choose a suitable container. You can use an old can, or, if you are dealing with a smaller amount of oil, a coffee mug will also work. Pour the oil into your chosen container and place it in the freezer.

Leave the oil in the freezer until it has solidified. This will take several hours, or even a day, depending on the amount of oil you are freezing. Once the oil is solid, you can remove it from the freezer.

If you have used a can to freeze your oil, you can simply take the can out of the freezer and throw it straight into the trash. The oil will stay solid for long enough to dispose of it without making a mess.

If you have used a coffee mug, you will need to use a spoon to scoop the solidified oil out of the mug and into the trash. Then, wash the mug as you usually would.

By freezing your used fondue oil before throwing it away, you can avoid the mess and potential hazards associated with disposing of liquid oil.

Turn it into biodiesel

Used fondue oil can be turned into biodiesel, a combustible fuel that is biodegradable and made from vegetable oil or animal fat. Here is a step-by-step guide on how to turn used fondue oil into biodiesel:

Step 1: Source the Oil

Locate a source of used vegetable oil, such as fondue oil, from restaurants or cafeterias that serve fried foods. Look for oil that is darker in colour than fresh oil and may contain small food particles. Avoid oil that appears milky or cloudy as it may have a high water content which can interfere with the biodiesel production process.

Step 2: Store the Oil

Pour the used oil into clear plastic containers such as transparent plastic jugs from juice or soda. Ensure that the containers are clean, dry, and free of any residue. Label the containers clearly, for example, as "used oil" or "unfiltered oil".

Step 3: Filter the Oil

Heat the oil to 95°F (35°C) in a large, clean cooking pot over an electric burner to make it easier to pour. Use a cooking thermometer to monitor the temperature. Do not use a gas burner at any stage of the biodiesel creation process. Wear protective gear such as long rubber gloves, an apron, and safety goggles.

Place a piece of cheesecloth or a coffee filter into a funnel and place the funnel on top of another clean plastic container labelled "screened oil". Carefully pour the heated oil through the funnel to catch large food particles. For larger amounts of oil, use a screen intended for paint or windows over a clean bucket.

Step 4: Remove Water from the Oil

Pour the screened oil back into the clean cooking pot and reheat it to 140°F (60°C) for 15 minutes to allow any water to separate from the oil. Monitor the temperature closely to avoid the risk of steam explosions.

Step 5: Settle and Transfer the Oil

After cooling, pour the oil into a plastic container and let it sit for at least 24 hours. The water will settle at the bottom of the container and appear cloudy and light tan in colour. Slowly pour the oil into a new, clean container, being careful not to include the settled water.

Step 6: Test the Oil's Acidity (Titration Process)

Dissolve lye into distilled water to create a 0.1% lye solution. Lye is toxic, so handle it with extreme care and wear protective gear. In a separate container, mix 1 ml of filtered oil with 10 ml of isopropyl (rubbing) alcohol and gently warm the mixture. Add phenolphthalein solution, which will turn from clear to pink at a pH level of 8.5, indicating the ideal level for creating biodiesel.

Step 7: Prepare the Biodiesel

Follow reliable and safe instructions for the chemical process of creating biodiesel using the filtered oil, lye, and methanol. This process involves blending the ingredients and allowing them to separate into layers, with the top layer being biodiesel. You can then use or store your homemade biodiesel fuel.

Mix with an absorbent material

If you have a lot of fondue oil to dispose of, you might not have a sealable container that's big enough. In that case, pouring the oil into an absorbent material before throwing it out can be handy.

• Let the oil cool down completely. It is important to never handle hot oil, as it can be dangerous.
• Find an absorbent material such as cat litter, sand, sawdust, or flour.
• Pour small amounts of oil into the absorbent material, mixing the rest of the oil in gradually.
• Continue mixing the oil and the absorbent material until the consistency is thick enough to be easily thrown away.
• Transfer the mixture to a sealable bag and toss it into your trash can.

By mixing the fondue oil with an absorbent material, you can ensure that the oil is contained and does not leak or spill. This method is especially useful if you have a large volume of oil to dispose of.

Frequently asked questions