What is the best way to dispose of used cooking oil from home?
Step away from the frying pan for a moment and allow Morieka Johnson to discuss olive oil, composting and food for the birds.
By Morieka JohnsonWed, Mar 03 2010 at 8:14 AM EST
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Q: What is the best way of disposing of used cooking oil from home?— Avril Walley
A: Fried food occupies a spot close to my heart. Unfortunately, all that greasy goodness has an artery-clogging downside. Heart disease is the leading cause of death among men and women in the United States. In honor of the “Reduce, Reuse, Recycle” way of life, I have to start by recommending that you build a list of go-to recipes that require less cooking oil in the first place.
Search food sites for “oven fried” versions of your favorites. I’m partial to oven-fried sweet potatoes, which are lightly coated in a few tablespoons of olive oil. Spread them out on a baking sheet and bake at about 400 until golden brown. This small change will significantly cut the amount of oil and reduce your fat grams by nearly half.
I also recommend heart-healthy options like olive oil, which is rich in polyphenols and monounsaturated fats. Olive oil also is minimally processed compared with corn oil, a cheaper option typically used by the fast food giants. A little bit of this flavorful oil can go a mighty long way. Keep in mind that cooking oil also can be reused multiple times — just strain it to remove bits of food.
As for discarding used cooking oil, start by storing it in a clearly labeled glass jar with a lid. Avoid clogging your drains by pouring used oil into your sink and repurpose that greasy stuff instead. Ehow.com has great tips for turning old oil into compost. It also makes great “glue” for pinecone bird feeders. Trails.com has an easy recipe that could ensure that your backyard is a pit stop for migrating birds this winter. If you have children, creating the feeders could become a fun classroom project.
— Morieka
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Comments
Shannon
03/15/2010 04:08 AM
Most of us with apartments don't have gardens, so there's no need (and frankly, no way) to compost... and certainly nowhere to hang a bird feeder. Some practical advice for us would be helpful, as I've been pouring used oil down the garbage disposal.
Gretta Krech (Cooking Fanatic)
03/08/2010 10:30 AM
Interesting input but I also found some really nice cooking tips at 10bomb.com so you might want to check it out.
Gretta
Sharon H.
03/04/2010 23:39 PM
Pour the oil onto a stack of old newspapers. When it has absorbed you can throw the stack into the trash. It doesn't totally avoid landfill issues, but it does keep your drains clear and keeps the local rodent population from getting into your compost pile.
