How do I re-use (and clean) oil from a deep-fat fryer?

Question

Hello.

I'd like to re-use the oil from my deep-fat fryer, which I use occasionally, and need to filter it into a jug or something. Do you know of anything in the UK that is on sale (or anything I could improvise with at home) which I can use to filter the oil? Are there any jugs on the market, which have filters in the top, which I can pour the oil into? I've tried to google, but haven't had any luck.

Thank you for any help.

I ended up decanting the oil, thanks to Tom K. Thank you for everyone else's answers too. It was easy to decant by scooping the oil and pouring through a funnel into the bottle.

Oh, and to Roy-somebody. What sort of answer is that in these days and times? We need to ~~~RE-USE~~~. Our environment is falling apart because of the attitude of buying to replace rather than re-using and adapting what we have.

It's nothing to do with being a cheap-skate. If I keep buying oil each time, I am buying a big plastic container, oil which has been produced via methods using lots of energy. It is a total waste of resources.

Answer 1

Found various cooking oil filters at amazon.com (see site below). You can probably find same or similar at www.amazon.com.uk.

Often it is enough to simply avoid the food bits when pouring up the used oil. Pour only the clean oil into the storage container but stop pouring when food bits appear. Like decanting wine, if you will.

Store oil in the refrigerator so it doesn't go rancid.

Also, oil will tend to pick up flavors from some strong foods, especially fish. You can remove some of that flavor from the oil by frying some potatoes.

Answer 2

I use peanut oil for all meats except fish, in which I, in turn, use canola. For other things like donuts (for example), I use vegetable oil. Which is healthier? I know Peanut Oil is better than Vegetable, but I am not sure on the comparison for Canola. You will want to change oil when it gets brown, and/or the food is nasty and bitter flavored. You can reuse oil the next day if no meat or potatoes were fried in it. I wouldn't risk cheese either. Make sure your pan is good and dry before putting oil in it, otherwise as it heats up, it'll pop BIG time. If this happens though, you'll have to let it pop out, it'll take a bit. If you're lucky to catch it before it gets too wild,turn off the fryer and replace with new oil. If you own those old oil lamps, you can recycle your used oil by straining out the "crumbs" and adding it to the lamp just like you would if you were using lamp oil. I wouldn't advise mixing the fuel and oil though.

Answer 3

Try using coffee filter either in and old percolator or in a funnel you can only do so much at a time and you may have to leave it over night

you could try warming the oil slightly to make it less viscose

I havent tried this my self but I believe it works as I saw it being done years ago

Answer 4

I just use coffee filters and a jug to filter the oil and store it in a glass bottle.
That is the oil I will use if I am doing a little frying when I don't really need to use new oil.

Answer 5

Wow great answers. They are also $$ practical.

My idea & what I have done is go to my local resaurant supply store and buy professional cones & filters to filter my oil. This cost me about $45 US.
I place the cone with a filter in it across another pot and pour the warm oil through it. It really keeps it clean & my oil last a long time.

Answer 6

Let the oil settle and pour into jars through a funnel and coffee filter. Store in refrigerator.

Answer 7

Just line a sieve with kitchen towel (2 layers) and pour the oil through it into a suitable container.

Answer 8

A pair of tights stretched over a bowl or some other container should work

Answer 9

All you need is a sieve and a piece of paper towel. Warm it up and then sieve it through. Voila! Lovely clean oil.

Answer 10

Use a sieve and kitchen towl - oil will drain through but nasty bits won't!