'Genius' kitchen foil trick stops you clogging your drain with cooking oil

Cooking oil is one of the most versatile tools in our kitchen. It comes in a variety of types, from olive oil to vegetable oil and even artisan varieties like coconut oil, and most of us use some form of oil every day for frying or roasting. But what do you do with the leftover oil in the pan after cooking?

Sometimes, the amount of oil used is negligible, so you're not left with heaps in your pan and can simply wipe it away with a piece of kitchen towel. But when you've been frying an egg or roasting potatoes, you're likely left with excess oil that needs disposing of before you can clean the dishes.

Because oil is liquid, you might be tempted to simply pour it down your kitchen sink drain. However, most people know this is a big no-no, as oils and fats can cause blockages in your drain, wreaking havoc on your plumbing.

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But there's a solution. According to a cleaning expert on Instagram, all you need to safely dispose of your surplus oils is some kitchen foil and a cup - items most of us already have at home.

In a video shared by a home hacks account, the woman used scraps of aluminium foil and wrapped them around a plastic cup, using the cup to shape the foil. Once the cup was fully covered with no gaps, she gently removed the cup, leaving behind just the cup-shaped foil.

The clever lass then positioned the foil in her sink drain, ensuring that when she poured the oil, it gathered within the foil and didn't seep into her plumbing system. This allowed her to seal the foil at the top and chuck it straight into her bin.

If your foil refuses to stay upright in the sink, you can also employ this trick by moulding the foil around the inside of a cup or mug, allowing the cup itself to keep the foil upright while you pour your oil inside.

Folks who saw the post expressed their gratitude for the woman's ingenious tip. A few also suggested alternative solutions, such as waiting for the fat to cool down before tipping it directly into the bin, or adding it to an empty bottle that you can gradually fill over time and then discard once it's full.

How to safely dispose of cooking oil

1. Let the oil cool completely after use.

2. Pour into a sturdy, sealable container, such as the original bottle, a milk jug, or an empty can.

3. Dispose of the oil properly by following local guidelines, as rules may vary between councils.

• For small amounts of oil, you are usually fine to seal the container and throw the oil in the bin, or to soak up the oil with paper towels and dispose of them in your rubbish bin.
• For larger amounts, however, you may need to take the sealed container to a local recycling facility. Some areas also have collection programmes that convert used oil into biodiesel.

4. Never pour oil down your drain or toilet, as this can cause blockages and environmental damage.

5. If the oil is still clean, you may be able to strain it and reuse it for future cooking.