Draining oil jugs

[rslaback]

I have an oilsaver funnel that I used to use when changing my oil to collect the last drops of oil in a quart bottle of oil which I would then use for miscellaneous lubrication tasks. However, I have found that I am now purchasing oil almost exclusively in 5 quart jugs. For environmental purposes if nothing else I would like to collect the last bits of oil from them before sending them off to the landfill (our recycling won't take plastic oil containers no matter how clean). Currently I have an old fiberglass well pressure tank with a grated table saw dust port that I use to collect my waste oil so I have a surface that I can try to set them on but they almost always fall over and some of the jug designs require them to be held at a funky angle to fully drain.

Before I start prototyping (maybe going with a wire frame that would go up inside the jug or maybe something that uses the threads of the jugs as I think most of them are the same) I figured I would poke the hive mind to see if anyone has already solved this problem. I am not seeing any commercially available options.

 

[Sumboodie]

I use 275 gal totes for my used oil. If someone brings me jugs, I dump in and toss the mostly empty jug in the burn barrel.

Hopefully will have my used oil boiler setup this summer, have close to 3,000 gallons of oil.

 

[rslaback]

I use 275 gal totes for my used oil. If someone brings me jugs, I dump in and toss the mostly empty jug in the burn barrel.

Hopefully will have my used oil boiler setup this summer, have close to 3,000 gallons of oil.

I'd prefer a solution that is less carcinogenic.

 

[Sumboodie]

I'd prefer a solution that is just oil and plastic. Don't cook your supper on the fire, it'll be fine.

 

[vavet]

I was thinking about something like this.

5 Piece, 1 Quart Wall Mount Oil Drain Container MPN:32947

5 Piece, 1 Quart Wall Mount Oil Drain Container

www.govets.com

I don’t think this would accommodate 5 quart jugs. Not sure if there is something equivalent,

 

[Rusted Nut]

Set the jugs upside down in a bucket for a few days, they come out pretty clean. If your not satisfied with that, a quick rinse with a bit of solvent with polish them up.

 

[seber]

How much dust are you collecting with that oil.

 

[AffableCurmudgeon]

Cut off the bottom of the jug and put the bottom upside down over the grate. Also, stand up the top of the on the grate with the cut side down. Every last bit of oil will go in the grate.

 

[matthew]

I turn my jugs on their narrow side for a few hours. Then turn upside down so the oil collects in the cap, held upright by putting it on the shelf between two full bottles. Then pour the cap into my oiler. Then put the used oil in the old jug, and take it to the used oil disposal depot.

I’m surprised your area doesn’t have such a facility - I’m with you that we were put here to be good caretakers.

 

[lolaetype]

I always seem to have a jug of the same oil on hand. I just prop mine up like this for a few hours or overnight. Get the angle right and both jugs are very stable. Quick, cheap, works every time. All you need is a corner to prop the jugs in. I hold onto the drained jugs to full with dirty oil to take back for recycling.

 

[mike93lx]

I'd take the bag out of the box and use a plastic bench scraper to push all the oil to one corner, then cut it and drain it.

Blows my mind that people still burn plastic trash at home

 

[micromind]

I always seem to have a jug of the same oil on hand. I just prop mine up like this for a few hours or overnight. Get the angle right and both jugs are very stable. Quick, cheap, works every time. All you need is a corner to prop the jugs in. I hold onto the drained jugs to full with dirty oil to take back for recycling.

That's a good idea, plus if you pre-purchase for the next oil change, you won't have the old oil drained out and suddenly remember that you have no new oil to put in..........

 

[Jagmandave]

I use the two jug method but I use a funnel in the lower one - that way I can empty a small bucket, filter or other containers. I also put the drained oil into the new oil jug, and I take the used oil to the auto parts store. If I don't need the container they will dispose of it for me. BTW, don't forget to take your old oil filters to them too, don't throw them in the trash.

 

[Leaflessshadetree]

I pour oil until just a few drops are coming out.
How much oil am I wasting by not completely draining them?

 

[danski0224]

our recycling won't take plastic oil containers no matter how clean

Spoiler Alert : 99% of "plastic recycling" is a farce.

 

[lolaetype]

Spoiler Alert : 99% of "plastic recycling" is a farce.

I don't know if it's that high of a percentage, but yeah, a lot of plastic that goes into a recycling bin doesn't really get recycled.

That said, I still consign mine to the recycle bin. If it winds up in a landfill it won't be because I didn't try to recycle it.

 

[lolaetype]

I pour oil until just a few drops are coming out.
How much oil am I wasting by not completely draining them?

Probably a teaspoon to a couple of tablespoons, depending on the temperature of your garage and the oil viscosity. So, not much, but I do it because it seems wasteful not to.

The worst offenders are the plastic laundry detergent bottles with the white plastic pouring spout insert. You think the bottle is empty but when you remove that insert you can drain out about enough detergent for a full load.

 

[mike93lx]

The worst offenders are the plastic laundry detergent bottles with the white plastic pouring spout insert. You think the bottle is empty but when you remove that insert you can drain out about enough detergent for a full load.

Another great reason to use powder, but that for another ketchup-infused thread

 

[paulsomlo]

I'm able to balance mine upside down in my oil drain pan - a few days of that, and they're very clean inside. If you want them cleaner before you send them off to the landfill, take a utility knife and cut the side out of the jug and wipe it out.

 

[Firebrick43]

I don't know if it's that high of a percentage, but yeah, a lot of plastic that goes into a recycling bin doesn't really get recycled.

That said, I still consign mine to the recycle bin. If it winds up in a landfill it won't be because I didn't try to recycle it.

In most recycling streams, if the batch is contaminated the whole batch goes to the landfill.

I am just baffled by the thinking to throw un recyclable material in with recyclables?

Is it virtue signaling?

 

[honcho]

I do a balancing act with the bottles and a funnel to capture the remainder. It works much better in warmer weather.

As for emptying and recycling, for a long time our local jurisdiction didn't want empty oil containers in the single-stream recycling containers. But that's changed in recent years, maybe they just gave up trying to educate the public. Given the huge variety of products packaged in plastic, many of them pollutants and/or toxic, I imagine that a large percentage of containers must be put in the landfill, incinerated or the shredded material must be washed to some acceptable level of cleanliness before reuse.

In most recycling streams, if the batch is contaminated the whole batch goes to the landfill.

I am just baffled by the thinking to throw un recyclable material in with recyclables?

Is it virtue signaling?