However, customers enjoying a good meal will not keep a restaurant alive. Many things play a role in making the whole operation tick. Running a restaurant involves forethought and many logistical tasks, big and small. Owners and managers are responsible for thinking ahead to avoid problems while in service modes.
This foresight applies to ingredient selection and delivery, managing and optimizing food storage, and ensuring proper dining ware is available and set. Waste management is another part of the puzzle; figuring out how to dispose of your used cooking oil is a corner piece.
Even the best quality ingredients cooked in expensive commercial fryers can be ruined when placed into unfiltered oil. It is vital to regularly perform proper oil filtration in order to run a successful operation.
What About a Universal Disposal Method?
Having a universal disposal method is like having one-size-fits-all clothing. It’s good in theory but really only works for a select group of people.
One-size-fits-all attire doesn’t usually fit all body types. It typically appeases a small range of people, while others may not fit in it at all. Others may be able to put it on, but it doesn’t conform properly.
While having one universal way to dispose of oil would be convenient, commercial kitchens can be unique. Like people, their needs vary. The approach to disposing of the spent oil among these different kitchens must also deviate.
How Do You Dispose of Used Cooking Oil?
It can be tricky to dispose of used cooking oil. You absolutely cannot pour it down any drains, and you also want to avoid tossing large amounts of oil in a regular garbage can.
One causes a plumbing nightmare, and the other can cause issues with garbage trucks and facilities, ultimately ending up in landfills. Both are bad for the environment. So, how do you dispose of spent cooking oil properly?
Choosing the Right Provider
Your best option as a restaurant owner or manager is to enlist the help of a reputable service provider specializing in disposing of and recycling oil. This part is universal. All restaurants with a fryer and the cooking oil that goes with it should have a provider to recycle this oil.
Which provider and equipment used for storing and disposing of the used oil will vary from restaurant to restaurant based on their unique needs and space.
A reputable provider should be able to provide you a used cooking oil solution for your restaurant. It is important that this is not a one size fits all approach,it is essential to consider the space, type of cooking oil used, the volume of oil used and where you are located and features of your fryer.
Understanding your Container Needs
They space you have available for cooking oil containment is the first consideration. A service provider should be able to help you evaluate this. Do they offer a container for low ceiling heights, or with remove above for shelving? They may have a tank with a small foot print (2’ x 2’) that can fit into area’s you may not expect. They may be able to help evaluate your shelving usage, a shelf could be removed and replace with a dual purpose tank that offers both used cooking oil and storage. Lastly, if there is just no room inside after a walk through, an outdoor container is still an option.
Second, the type of used cooking oil you use is an important consideration. Does your used cooking oil solidify at temperature? If so, it is important to have a tank that has a heater inside, this will keep your oil liquid and allow the provider to pump your oil without interruption.
The amount of oil you use and where you are located is the third consideration, these two combined determine how much storage capacity you will need. The used cooking oil container you use needs to have enough capacity so that you can be comfortably serviced without interruption to your operation.
The features of your fryer are the last consideration. If your fryer has built in filtration and a bulk discard option, your provider may be able to provide you a solution that allows for your to discard your oil with the push of a button.
Best Containers When Space is Limited
The Space Saver says it all right in the name. It is an excellent option for small and large kitchens because it makes up for the lost space a container would usually cause by coming with adjustable shelves for storing other kitchen equipment or food in addition to the used cooking oil. This capability and its ability to hold 1488 lbs (or 198.5 gallons) of used oil make it a popular choice.
It is also a convenient option as it can connect directly to the fryer and transfer the oil with just the flip of a switch. This container also comes with the ability to view the oil level inside and avoid any overflows. The container connects to an exterior wall allowing the technicians to extract the used oil without ever having to enter the building. This container is the best of both worlds, as it is excellent for small spaces and higher-volume oil producers.
Best for Locations that require a small footprint.
The Fat4Fuel is an indoor storage bin holding 573 kg (1263 lbs). With its compact design, the Fat4Fuel container can fit almost any kitchen, regardless of space and size. It requires only two feet by two feet in floor space in your kitchen.
Along with this container will be a caddy to transport used oil to the container more efficiently and safely than an employee lugging hot oil across the kitchen floor in a bucket.
Best for Kitchens with Height Restrictions
The Cleanstar GRN 1500 is an indoor storage bin with a low profile design, with a height of 64” this tank saves 20” in height over typical containers. This tank has a heater, allowing it to handle mixed oils. It also can connect directly to the fryer, so no one has to trouble themselves pumping or caddying the oil to the container. If direct connection is not an option, a caddy can be used with this container as well. Once the oil is in the conatiner, it is directly plumbed to the outside, where a technician can extract the oil.
This container stores up to 610 KG (1350 lbs), making it an excellent option for kitchens that go through 14 or less jibs of oil per week.
Best for Combined Oils
Last but not least, the Cleanstar 1500 container holds up to 610 kg (1350 lbs). This container is heated and insulated, allowing it to handle liquid oil or solid shortening. It has an automatic dual-level sensor that detects when the container is approaching full, a light will indicate service is needed and full at which point an auto shutoff will prevent the tank from being overfilled.
Best Containers for Outside
When space is an issue inside the kitchen, or your oil volume requires significant storage capacity, you still have options.
Best High-Volume Container
The Cleanstar 2500 is a large used cooking oil storage container that comes in a brown or almond color and holds up to ~1,100 kg or 2475 lbs, of oil. This container is perfect for restaurants that require a large storage capacity – whether theyuse a high volume of used cooking oil, or in a more remote area where service is less frequent
The container is placed outside and is convenient because it has all options available for oil transfer from the fryer to the container. If your fryer and kitchen space allows it, a direct pump can be connected to the container. If your kitchen or fryer does not accommodate this, utilize an oil pump or a caddy to transfer the oil.
This container is heated and insulated to allow to handle shortening based oil or frigid winter conditions. The tank is also equipped with a dual-level full tank sensor to stop any chance of overflow.
Best Space-Saving Container
The Exterior Space Saver is another outside container that holds up to 1,020 kgs (2250 lbs) and comes in multiple colors to match or blend into the restaurant and surroundings. Because it is an outside container, there is zero loss of space inside the kitchen, and it comes with a direct pump or pump station option for transferring the oil.Another feature of the exterior space saver is an alarm and automatic shut-off for when the tank is full..H3 When automated is not an Option
The Outdoor Bin is an outside storage container that most people have probably seen before and not noticed. Considering that we build these containers for the outdoors, they have high durability and can come on wheels to move around.
This container is not automated and comes with few features. However, various sizes are available depending on a restaurant’s needs. These outdoor containers are suitable for all types and sizes of kitchens as they come in a standard size holding 300 gallons, a medium size holding 200 gallons, and an extra-large size that holds up to 400 gallons.
The Process
It may seem overwhelming to go through and choose the best container for you and your space. Don’t worry; we have a team of experts at Darling Ingredients Canada who can help. Our representatives will walk you through the process from start to finish, from choosing a container, installing it, and proper training.
Choosing a Container
No matter your needs, a representative will help you choose the used cooking oil container that best suits your kitchen’s needs.
A Darling Ingredients Canada team member will come to your establishment for a short 30-minute site survey first to determine the space’s needs and limitations.
Installation
Once the proper container is chosen and delivered, we can install the container. This part of the process is the longest, taking about four hours.
Training
After installation, one of our professionals will train your restaurant staff on the features of the container and how to properly and safely use it. Staff training will only take around 20 minutes before the container is good to go.
