Used Cooking Oil Collection And Recycling FAQs

Do I need any equipment to handle used cooking oil?

You will need a container to store the used oil in, and a method to move the oil from your fryer to the storage container. These storage containers can be outdoor bins or indoor tanks, and there are various ways to transfer the used oil. A Grand Natural Inc representative can schedule a time to visit your location and assess the type of fryers you are using, your volume of grease and frequency of pickup, and will suggest the best setup for your location’s needs.

Do I need an indoor or outdoor bin for used oil storage containment?

Every store is different, and every need has more than one possible solution. Most restaurant managers think the easiest way to get started is using an outside bin to store their used oil, usually placed inside a trash area to keep it from public view. But outdoor bins have some disadvantages:

• Reduces curb appeal (the smell may decrease your customers' appetites)
• Employees must hand-carry hot grease from kitchen outside to the outdoor bin, risking injury
• Outdoor bins are open invitations to grease theft; difficult to protect your waste grease
• If grease is stolen, or contaminated by rainwater or trash, it reduces the value of your grease, which could mean lower, or no, rebate from your service provider

All of these issues are solved by moving your used oil storage indoors. Many managers think they don't have room for an indoor tank; this is seldom the case.  While many providers may only have one or two storage tanks available to choose from, other providers offer several options. Advantages of indoor bins:

• Protect your used cooking oil from grease theft and contamination
• Protect your employees from burns, slips and falls (save on workers comp claims)
• Protect your kitchen - no need to open the back door, and kitchen operates more efficiently
• Protect your store's ambiance by not having a smelly bin near customer parking
• Protect your rebate by preserving your used cooking oil's value

Why would we offer more than one type of used cooking oil storage tank?

A store that cooks with large amounts of fryer grease will need a larger capacity tank (or will need more frequent service visits). Some kitchens have limited floor space and need a unit with a small footprint. We offer tank solutions that fit most any need.

I don't have any room in my store for an inside tank. What are my options to keep it safe from growing legs and walking away or theft?

First, let one of our reps visit your store for a site evaluation; many of our customers who thought they didn’t have room for an inside tank were happy to find they did – and often gained extra shelving space! If you do need to use outdoor bins, there are ways to prevent grease theft.

• Make sure to check the grease levels in your tank to detect any fluctuation between service visits.
• You may want to install a security camera to monitor your grease corral and a fence with a lockable gate to hide your tank from view.
• Definitely know the official uniform and vehicles of your grease service provider.

What if I poured too much oil and my indoor tank has overflowed?

Part of the process of bringing on a new customer is to evaluate their store volume and set up a pickup schedule so they will be serviced before their tanks or bins reach full status. But positive spikes in your business may throw this schedule off. If your indoor tank has overflowed, call our Customer Service Center, 855-519-5550. Also follow these immediate suggestions:

• Do not add any more oil to the tank.
• Use a container to collect any dripping oil until service is provided.
• Block off the area to employee or customer access to prevent slipping and injury.
• Put an absorbent material on any spilt grease, such as kitty litter, oil dry or quick dry, to keep it from spreading

What do I do if my used cooking oil bin needs repair or to be swapped out?

Contact us at 855-519-5550 to determine a resolution.

What does your used fryer oil storage equipment cost?

We normally do not charge our customers for our used cooking oil storage equipment, although there may be occasional circumstances where we need to charge a small installation or delivery fee. This would be disclosed prior to entering into a service agreement. Grand Natural Inc maintains ownership through the agreement period. In this way, our customers get their full rebate, rather than having a portion of a rebate applied towards the purchase of the equipment.