Used fryer oil is an unavoidable byproduct of running a commercial kitchen, and how you handle it can make a big difference in the safety and cleanliness of your workplace. Proper oil storage and disposal not only keeps your kitchen cleaner but also helps prevent spills, accidents and bad odors.

Southern Green Industries provides professional fryer oil collection and recycling services that are designed to make used oil disposal and recycling easy, safe and worthwhile for Atlanta businesses.

Best Practices for Draining Fryer Oil Safely

1. Let the Oil Cool – Never attempt to drain fryer oil while it’s still at cooking temperature. Allow it to cool to at least 100–130°F before handling.
   
   
2. Use a Proper Oil Transport System – Many commercial kitchens use a fryer oil disposal caddy or a mobile container with a spout, reducing the risk of spills. If your kitchen doesn’t have one, use a sturdy metal or heat-resistant plastic container with a secure lid.
   
   
3. Avoid Water or Ice Contact – Any contact with water or ice can cause hot oil to splatter dangerously. Ensure the fryer and collection containers are completely dry before transferring oil.
   
   
4. Pour Slowly and Steadily – Rushing the process can lead to splashes and spills. A funnel system or oil transfer pump can help with precision.

By following these steps, you minimize risk and keep your kitchen free from dangerous grease spills.

How to Store Fryer Oil After Closing

If your kitchen reuses fryer oil for multiple days, proper overnight storage is key to maintaining quality and preventing contamination. Here’s the best way to handle fryer oil after closing:

• Filter the Oil – Filter the Oil – Use a filtration system or fine-mesh strainer before storing to remove food particles that degrade oil faster.
  
  
• Store in a Clean, Dry Container – Some kitchens store filtered oil back in its original containers, but this isn’t always ideal since used oil may contain residual moisture. Instead, use a dedicated, food-safe fryer oil container with a tight-fitting lid.
  
  
• Keep at Room Temperature – Fryer oil should not be refrigerated or left in cold environments, as solidification can make it harder to reheat and filter properly the next day.
  
  
• Avoid Cross-Contamination – Ensure the oil storage container is clearly labeled and not mixed with fresh oil or waste oil meant for disposal.
  
  
• Pour Back Carefully in the Morning – When ready to reuse, slowly pour the oil back into the fryer and heat gradually to prevent breakdown.

How to Prevent Spills When Transporting Used Fryer Oil

Spilled fryer oil creates serious slip hazards in a commercial kitchen, making safe transport essential. Using dedicated oil transport containers with tight-sealing lids helps prevent leaks and spills during transfer. Before moving used oil, it’s important to clear a path to the collection bin, ensuring there are no obstacles that could cause a spill.

Kitchen staff should wear non-slip shoes and gloves when handling used oil to reduce the risk of slips or burns. Training employees on proper handling techniques is key—not just for safe transport but also for knowing how to respond quickly in case of a spill. By following these best practices, kitchens can avoid unnecessary messes and safety risks.

Choosing the Right Oil Bin Size for Your Kitchen

Selecting the right-sized oil collection bin ensures efficient storage and pickup. The size you need depends on how much fryer oil your kitchen uses daily:

• Small Kitchens (one to two fryers, low-volume frying) – A 30- or 50-gallon bin is typically sufficient.
  
  
• Medium-Sized Kitchens (three to four fryers, moderate frying needs) – A 100-gallon bin helps avoid overflow while keeping storage manageable.
  
  
• High-Volume Kitchens (fast food, heavy frying operations) – A 200- to 300-gallon bin is best for kitchens that generate large amounts of waste oil daily.

Southern Green Industries provides custom-sized oil collection containers to fit any kitchen’s needs, ensuring used fryer oil is stored securely until pickup. We collect oil on a regular schedule to ensure our customers never run out of space in their container.

Where to Place Your Used Oil Bin for Safety and Convenience

The location of your oil collection bin plays a major role in safety, security, disposal efficiency and ease of pickup.

Your waste oil is a valuable commodity, which is why you should look for a recycling company that pays you a fair price. This is also why waste oil theft is a concern, and you should look for storage solutions that offer some degree of security.

Placing the bin away from high-traffic areas reduces the risk of spills caused by foot traffic or equipment movement. It also reduces the risk of customer or employee injuries if a spill does occur.

Ideally, bins should be stored near the back of the kitchen or an outdoor service area, where staff can easily access them without obstructing daily operations.

For added stability, bins should sit on a level, non-slip surface to prevent tipping or shifting. Placing them in a well-ventilated area also helps reduce unwanted odors.

Additionally, positioning the bin where Southern Green’s collection team can easily access it ensures seamless pickups and avoids delays. Proper bin placement makes the disposal process safer and more efficient for both kitchen staff and waste collection teams.

Make Fryer Oil Disposal Easy with Southern Green

At Southern Green Industries, our goal is to provide dependable service at fair prices. This means arriving regularly for fryer oil pickup and providing transparent invoices so our clients know how much we collect and what they’re getting paid for their waste oil.

If you want to maximize the safety of your kitchen, ask us about our integrated oil management system (iOMS).

This system automatically transfers used fryer oil from your fryer to oil collection containers, significantly reducing the risk of spills and injuries and saving your employees time.

Don’t let used fryer oil become a safety hazard—let Southern Green handle the hard part. Call us at (404) 419-6887 to learn about our prices or schedule a free quote.