Every successful restaurant needs all hands on deck to meet customer demands during the busiest times of the day. When the lunch hour or dinner rush hits, it’s difficult to find time to properly dispose of used cooking oil. However, with a few smart strategies, you can make the process run smoothly and quickly, so it’s possible to efficiently serve customers and meet your sustainability goals for oil recycling. Browse these tips from SeQuential to learn more about removing used cooking oil from restaurants during your busiest times.
Reuse Your Cooking Oil
When there’s no time to take used cooking oil to your collection container during a busy period, reuse it if possible. By doing so, you will not only save the time it takes to move oil to the container but also eliminate the need to refill fryers and other cooking equipment. It’s safe to use cooking oil multiple times in most cases, although you must keep a close eye on it when you do. If the oil becomes cloudy or starts to smell, this indicates it is breaking down and should be replaced. And remember, the smoke point of oil decreases each time you use a batch. Accordingly, you may not be able to reuse oil for high-temperature frying, but it can be repurposed for other, lower-temperature tasks.
Make Cleanliness a Constant Priority
Planning is one of the best ways to save time, especially when it comes to cleaning your oil collection container and the pathway to it. If you plan properly, taking out used oil is a fast job that can be completed when an employee has a spare moment step away from the grill or a prep station. Keep the area between your oil collection container and the kitchen clear of debris and equipment so employees can move efficiently. You should also follow best practices to dispose used cooking oil to make pouring smooth and to help prevent messy backups. At the end of each day, take time to scrape the container’s top grate to prevent clogs. Finally, emphasize that only used oil may be placed in the container. Any food debris or trash can gum up the grates, causing spills that make extra work and take the focus off creating the food your patrons love.
Store it for Later
If you don’t have time for repeated trips outside during a rush, use an intermediate container for temporary storage. Keep the oil in a durable plastic or glass container with an airtight seal to avoid any contamination before disposal. The containers that oil comes in offer great temporary storage until someone on your team has time for a trip to the recycling container. You can even store your intermediate containers in a cool, dark place for a few weeks at a time and reuse their contents if the oil remains in good condition.
Make Your Oil Recycling Process Efficient
Running a restaurant can be hectic and unpredictable, especially when peak hours hit, and customers pour in. But with a plan in place for used cooking oil disposal, your employees can maintain your oil recycling program without missing a beat. If you’re ready to learn more about recycling used cooking oil from restaurants, contact SeQuential today. We provide every customer with a free collection container and regular pickups that accommodate your busy schedule, and you’ll feel good about turning restaurant waste into clean, sustainable renewable fuel that powers the West Coast.