Fried turkey is a delicious Thanksgiving tradition for many families. But once the feast is over you’re often left with several gallons of used, contaminated frying oil. Improperly disposing of this oil can clog drains, contaminate landfills and even start fires. That’s why it’s so important to know the right techniques for responsible turkey fryer oil disposal.
Why Used Turkey Fryer Oil is Hazardous
Fresh new cooking oil is crucial for successful deep frying. Over time and use, hot oil decomposes, absorbs flavors and contaminants, and becomes rancid. Used turkey fryer oil is especially problematic because it contains:
- Burnt food particles and crumbs
- Moisture from the turkey
- Seasonings, herbs, and breading
- Potential bacteria from the raw turkey
Once contaminated, the oil should never be reused for cooking. Attempting to filter and re-fry with rancid oil can make people sick.
The used oil can also clog pipes and sewer systems. And if poured down a drain and followed by hot water, the oil can congeal into a heavy grease plug.
Refrigerating the Oil Before Disposal
After deep frying the turkey the oil will be around 350°F-400°F. Allow it cool somewhat before moving it. But for easiest disposal, consider refrigerating the oil first. Here’s why
- The cold causes the oil to congeal and solidify, minimizing spills
- Solid oil is easier to scoop out of the pot and into the trash
- The oil takes up less space in a solid form
Be sure to transfer the pot of oil to the refrigerator carefully to prevent dangerous spills and burns It may take several hours for the large quantity to fully solidify
Safe Methods for Disposal
Once the used oil has cooled and congealed, here are a few safe disposal options:
Trash Pickup
This is the easiest and most convenient disposal method for small amounts of oil.
- Scoop the solidified oil into a sealable container like a screw-top plastic jug or zipper bag.
- Make sure the container is heavy duty and won’t leak oil as it warms.
- Place the sealed container in your regular curbside trash pickup.
Never pour free flowing oil directly into a dumpster, as spills are likely.
Waste Oil Recycling
Some municipalities and private waste companies accept used cooking oil for recycling.
- Contact your local waste management department to ask about oil recycling in your area.
- Drain the solid oil into a sturdy sealed jug or bucket for transport.
- Recycling centers typically require appointments or only accept oil on certain days.
Recycling is eco-friendly, but involves planning and logistics.
Conversion to Biodiesel
A few cities have implemented cooking oil recycling programs that convert waste oil into usable biodiesel fuel.
- Seattle has set up “grease collection sites” to create biodiesel for the city’s fleet vehicles. Residents can drop off waste oil for free.
- New York’s subway has collected oil from restaurants to produce biodiesel since 2007.
Check if your region has a biodiesel program – this repurposes the waste oil into usable energy.
Composting in Small Amounts
While too much oil can harm delicate microbial ecosystems, small amounts of oil can enrich compost piles by providing carbon and energy.
- Allow a few cups of used turkey oil to solidify in a container.
- Mix the solid oil chunks into your compost bin. They will break down over time.
- Avoid adding large amounts of oil that could overload the compost.
Composting shouldn’t be the sole disposal method due to potential issues. But integrating some of the oil can provide benefits.
What NOT to Do With Used Turkey Fryer Oil
To prevent damage, injury, and contamination, avoid these common disposal mistakes:
- Pouring down household or storm drains – Clogs pipes and pollutes waterways
- Tossing into vegetation or yards – Oil kills plants and soil microbes
- Leaving oil outside – Can attract pests and animals
- Putting in landfill trash while hot – Could spontaneously combust and cause fires
- Attempting to reuse after frying turkey – Contains bacteria and contaminants
Used turkey fryer oil requires caution and care to handle and dispose of properly. With some foresight and preparation, you can keep your home and community safe this holiday season. Follow these guidelines to get rid of used oil the right way.
How to dispose turkey fryer oil |Part 1
FAQ
How to dispose of oil after deep frying turkey?
What to do with old oil from a deep fryer?
What to do with leftover turkey fryer oil?
How do you dispose of oil if frying a Turkey?
Milk cartons or take out food containers make excellent vessels for oil. Then through the container into the trash can. Some people like to freeze it fist, so that it completely solidified. This helps prevent a mess. When frying a turkey, you need a lot of oil, 3-5 gallons. The best way to dispose of this much oil, is to recycle it.
How do you dispose of oil?
So when you go to dispose of oil, please let it completely cool down first before your try to dispose of it. If you are throwing oil away, let it cool down to a safe temperature. Once it is cool, you can pour it into a disposable container. Milk cartons or take out food containers make excellent vessels for oil.
How do you store oil after frying?
After allowing the oil to cool, strain it through a fine mesh sieve lined with a few layers of cheesecloth (or a coffee filter) to rid it of any leftover food particles. Depending on the type of food you fried, you may need to strain the oil multiple times. Once clean, store the oil in an airtight container in the refrigerator.
Can You reuse cooking oil after frying?
Used cooking oil needn’t be discarded after one use. If you’ve been frying in a skillet and prefer not to waste the leftover oil, simply remove residual bits of food by straining it through a large coffee filter, and then pouring it into a sealable container for storage on a cool, dark shelf.
How do you store fried chicken oil?
Depending on the type of food you fried, you may need to strain the oil multiple times. Once clean, store the oil in an airtight container in the refrigerator. Remember that the oil will have taken on the flavor of whatever was fried in it, so it’s a good idea to label the container with the date and what it was used for.
Can you put cooking oil in a trash receptacle?
As long as it’s in a closed container, you can then put it in your trash receptacle and throw it away with your regular kitchen waste. If you started with liquid cooking oil, however, such as peanut oil or safflower oil, don’t expect it to thicken too much when it cools.