Oil Drain Pan - Recommendation

[ddurrett896]

Typically use the Dollar Tree cheap pans that I throw away after every use - considering buying a real one that I can re-use.

Does anyone have a recommendation on a oil drain pan that has a top that open/closes? I don't really want one that is just a pan that will always be dirty and left laying around, a kid can get into. Thanks!

 

[Roert42]

I use the open top ones with the spout on the end. Spout makes it easy to pour the used oil back in the container to be disposed of.

I wipe the pan out after I'm done emptying it with some old newspapers or paper towels. That get's 99% of the old oil out. Then I hang it on the wall to avoid dirt and **** getting in the pan.

 

[BrandonV]

I've had one of these outside for decades in the AZ sun and it still works great. When I'm done I give it a wipe down with a rag and within a few days its dry on the outside.

 

[Fixr]

I use one of these for oil

 

[lolaetype]

Before I got the lift and used a rolling oil drain container I used the black open drain pan sold virtually everywhere. After I drained the oil into it I poured the oil through a large funnel into the empty 5 qt. oil jugs. Then I wiped the pan and funnel clean and put them up. The pan and funnel are tools. No reason to leave dirty tools laying around.

EDIT: I see Roert42 suggests the same thing.

 

[Fixr]

I use one of these for oil

And this for coolant

 

[yatg]

I wipe it out real good, put it in a black garbage bag, then put it on the shelf with my oil change kit.

 

[PoorUB]

I just use an open pan. Pretty sure mine is a galvanized livestock feed pan. I have two of them and have used them for 40 years. When I get done my oil jug has a funnel, and I lean the drain pan over and let it drip dry. After a few days there is just an oil film. I don't even wipe it out.

 

[Pen & Wrench]

Back in about 1985 I bought a galvanized hog pan from the farm store I worked at and I still have it, although it's not covered. I've collected some plastic pans. I personally prefer the open ones but I can see why you would want a covered pan. I stand the pan in a funnel over my 5 gallon COOP Oil bucket and let it drain for several hours and put it away for the next time, exactly the way PoorUB does it.

 

[Jeff C]

For the truck and tractor I use any common five gallon bucket I have laying around. I throw a lid on it and take it to the dump and pour it into the oil recycle tank. Anything else I join those before me in recommending this which then gets poured into a five gallon bucket mentioned above…

 

[scooby074]

I use both the Sceptre and Lisle pans. Usually the Sceptre is my goto. Open top though, I just dump the oil back into the now empty new oil container so I can return it to the Hazmat dropoff.

Clean the pan with some gas/diesel or brakekleen before storage. I always have several litres of stale gas to use up and it makes great parts wash for drain pans and its essentially free.

 

[Fixr]

I use both the Sceptre and Lisle pans. Usually the Sceptre is my goto. Open top though, I just dump the oil back into the now empty new oil container so I can return it to the Hazmat dropoff.

Clean the pan with some gas/diesel or brakekleen before storage. I always have several litres of stale gas to use up and it makes great parts wash for drain pans and its essentially free.

For my purposes, the closed top Lisle works well for engine oil. Between cars and small engine stuff, I can do several oil changes, wipe off the outside and take the whole thing to the recycling center without having to transfer to buckets and clean up the nooks and crannies of the interior. If I had equipment with gallons of oil capacity, I would choose something quite different.

 

[yhprum]

I know you’re not likely to find one locally but I had one of these and loved it. Until I ran it over. Boo

Oil Drainage Dish - 15L

Make oil changes simple with the 15L Oil Drainage Dish – a durable, easy-to-use design that’s Australian made and built to last. This premium oil pan features a convenient pouring spout with a raised lip for spill-free transfer, plus a moulded oil filter stand and sturdy handle for maximum...

sunlandprotection.com.au

Maybe you can find one like it. It was easy to pour, and didn’t spill easily. I’ll get another one when I see one at the auto parts store.

 

[Snapped-off]

Black flo tool pan works well. Has a cap for the pan and the spout.

 

[Stuart in MN]

I just use an open pan. Pretty sure mine is a galvanized livestock feed pan. I have two of them and have used them for 40 years. When I get done my oil jug has a funnel, and I lean the drain pan over and let it drip dry. After a few days there is just an oil film. I don't even wipe it out.

I also have been using the same open galvanized pan for at least that long, but the big disadvantage is you have to carefully pick it up and pour the used oil into a container for disposal. There's a high chance of spillage. If I were to buy one today I'd go for something like the Lisle pan shown above.

 

[Firebrick43]

I use the style that @Fixr showed and it’s pretty good.

But putting Fumoto valves, the kind with the snap on tube has been the best solution. Now you just snap the tube on and put the other end in an empty 5 quart jug, open the valve and go have a cup of coffee. Easy no mess, not even a drip, oil changes.

 

[CraigStu]

Best advancement in decades

https://www.oreillyauto.com/detail/c/john-dow-industries/tools---equipment/oil---lube-tools/oil-accessories/aced1f1ab54f/john-dow-industries-oil-drain-splash-pads/jdi0/jdisp1

It is absolutely amazing how well this works. 15 yrs ago when I was a tech at a Lexus dealer the SnapOn man came in w/ one of these. He walked through the shop looking for an oil drain about to happen. Asked the guy to wait a minute and yelled for all the other techs to watch. Almost every tech bought or ordered one. Next week I had mine and spent the following week trying to make a splash. Couldn't do it.

 

[Fixr]

Best advancement in decades

https://www.oreillyauto.com/detail/c/john-dow-industries/tools---equipment/oil---lube-tools/oil-accessories/aced1f1ab54f/john-dow-industries-oil-drain-splash-pads/jdi0/jdisp1

It is absolutely amazing how well this works. 15 yrs ago when I was a tech at a Lexus dealer the SnapOn man came in w/ one of these. He walked through the shop looking for an oil drain about to happen. Asked the guy to wait a minute and yelled for all the other techs to watch. Almost every tech bought or ordered one. Next week I had mine and spent the following week trying to make a splash. Couldn't do it.

I've never seen those before. Geeze, to have had something like that for automatic transmission service using the big rectangular catch funnel thing...

 

[PWC Repair]

My son and I both use these.........awesome!

Hyper Tough 16 Quart Automotive Drain Pan Container, 420032HTMI, Black - Walmart.com

Buy Hyper Tough 16 Quart Automotive Drain Pan Container, 420032HTMI, Black at Walmart.com

www.walmart.com

 

[mikegt4]

I have one of these and have been using it since sometime in the 20th century. Quality built by Rubbermaid. The lid screws on for leak free transport, also has a spout to pour the oil out into another container. There is a post inside that will hold the filter upside down for drainage. The only problem is that they stopped making them a couple of decades ago.

 

[racecougar]

I use one of these for oil

Me too.

 

[ATC]

I use one of these for oil

I have the open top version of the same thing. I kinda wish I had the closed version, as it would be nice to have a spot to set the oil filter to drain.

 

[Fixr]

I have the open top version of the same thing. I kinda wish I had the closed version, as it would be nice to have a spot to set the oil filter to drain.

That's a large part of why I like it, along with being able to just cap it off until it's full enough to take in for recycling. The open type works better for coolant when I have to pull a hose to drain.

I just recently bought a fluid extractor, so my procedures may change.

 

[loganb]

My son and I both use these.........awesome!

Hyper Tough 16 Quart Automotive Drain Pan Container, 420032HTMI, Black - Walmart.com

Buy Hyper Tough 16 Quart Automotive Drain Pan Container, 420032HTMI, Black at Walmart.com

www.walmart.com

I just picked up one of these as an additional one...couple fluid changes in and really like it

 

[Dixie_Flatline]

Best advancement in decades

https://www.oreillyauto.com/detail/c/john-dow-industries/tools---equipment/oil---lube-tools/oil-accessories/aced1f1ab54f/john-dow-industries-oil-drain-splash-pads/jdi0/jdisp1

It is absolutely amazing how well this works. 15 yrs ago when I was a tech at a Lexus dealer the SnapOn man came in w/ one of these. He walked through the shop looking for an oil drain about to happen. Asked the guy to wait a minute and yelled for all the other techs to watch. Almost every tech bought or ordered one. Next week I had mine and spent the following week trying to make a splash. Couldn't do it.

Wonder if a floor buffer pad would do the same job and cost less, can get pads for less than $10 in one of the box stores.

 

[ATC]

That's a large part of why I like it, along with being able to just cap it off until it's full enough to take in for recycling. The open type works better for coolant when I have to pull a hose to drain.

I just recently bought a fluid extractor, so my procedures may change.

I dump everything into 5-gallon buckets and take them to AdvanceAuto when they get full

I’m just going to make a stand out of a heavy gauge wire that will sit in the pan and hold the filter above the oil.

 

[budget76]

I use one of these for oil

same. it's lasted about 10 years now. I don't usually leave it full anymore. only issue I have had is the pour spout cap cracked, so for a while I just put some plastic over before i threaded teh cap on. i think i finally found a replacement from a random jug of something.

works great. as long as you don't forget to open the center plug

edit: design is great for dropping the old filter onto. and no fishing for the drain plug when you drop it into the pan

 

[Dixie_Flatline]

works great. as long as you don't forget to open the center plug

Nice to know I am not the only one who has done this!

 

[Fixr]

same. it's lasted about 10 years now. I don't usually leave it full anymore. only issue I have had is the pour spout cap cracked, so for a while I just put some plastic over before i threaded teh cap on. i think i finally found a replacement from a random jug of something.

works great. as long as you don't forget to open the center plug

edit: design is great for dropping the old filter onto. and no fishing for the drain plug when you drop it into the pan

I found a cap on some random jug too. Dropping the plug can lead to it partly blocking the center hole. It didn't *quite* cause an overflow.

 

[Vinny]

I used a galvanized pan for a while like others have mentioned, before building a new pan out of scrap wood. For both, I put a drain port on it, so I could put it on a table, put a tube on it to the container, and have it drain. Cleaner than trying to pour a big pan into a funnel.
I went with the wood one as I put some handles on it, had it incline towards the drain port, and threw some spare dolly wheels on it to make it easier to manueveraround.

 

[4x4Pete]

Open top pan like ATC's above. I drain the pan by hand into a bucket, then hang it over the bucket by the bench, placing the filter sitting in the pan upright to drain as well. A day or two later the pan is dry enough to be stored, filter goes in the garbage and the used oil goes to haz mat. They don't take used filters around here.

 

[ATC]

Open top pan like ATC's above. I drain the pan by hand into a bucket, then hang it over the bucket by the bench, placing the filter sitting in the pan upright to drain as well. A day or two later the pan is dry enough to be stored, filter goes in the garbage and the used oil goes to haz mat. They don't take used filters around here.

Yup, I tip mine up on the 5-gal bucket and let it drain for a period of time. When done, I also use the drain pan to hold all my used shop rags & paper towels. They soak up any residual oil in the pan and leave it squeaky clean in a few days. The rags go into the burn barrel when I need to use the drain pan again, then I start the process over again.

 

[DGersic]

Best advancement in decades

https://www.oreillyauto.com/detail/c/john-dow-industries/tools---equipment/oil---lube-tools/oil-accessories/aced1f1ab54f/john-dow-industries-oil-drain-splash-pads/jdi0/jdisp1

It is absolutely amazing how well this works. 15 yrs ago when I was a tech at a Lexus dealer the SnapOn man came in w/ one of these. He walked through the shop looking for an oil drain about to happen. Asked the guy to wait a minute and yelled for all the other techs to watch. Almost every tech bought or ordered one. Next week I had mine and spent the following week trying to make a splash. Couldn't do it.

So once I’ve drained a bunch of oil through it, then what? I’m left with an oil soaked pad that’s going to drip and collect dirt?

I use the closed top Lisle type pan. Had it for 30 or more years now. The drain cap cracked years ago, but a cap from an oil bottle fits well enough. All of my cars now have Fumoto valves with drain tubing to eliminate splashing anyway.

 

[whateg01]

I wipe the pan out after I'm done emptying it with some old newspapers or paper towels. That get's 99% of the old oil out. Then I hang it on the wall to avoid dirt and **** getting in the pan.

If it's for used oil that's going back to the parts store or the local household hazardous waste, why does it need to be clean?

 

[Boogerman]

If it's for used oil that's going back to the parts store or the local household hazardous waste, why does it need to be clean?

Otherwise, when you hang it up, the oil creeps down and eventually drips out onto the floor or shelf or whatever.

I do the same, I wipe with newspaper, wipe with the shop rag that I used doing the oil change, and then throw the rag away. The rag is usually pretty much used up by the time I wipe any drips and splatters, and wipe the oil drain chutes on the vehicle and around the oil drain plug so they don't drip on the floor or driveway and then wipe out the drain pan.

 

[Metal-Marc]

This is what I use and it *****. Works great.

 

[lolaetype]

I just use an open pan. Pretty sure mine is a galvanized livestock feed pan.

I've got one of those that I bought for changing oil in the Jaguar; the one drawback is the lack of a pour lip. The open plastic pans I favor weren't of sufficient size to hold the 9 quarts of oil the Jaguar's sump holds.

 

[whateg01]

I've got one of those that I bought for changing oil in the Jaguar; the one drawback is the lack of a pour lip. The open plastic pans I favor weren't of sufficient size to hold the 9 quarts of oil the Jaguar's sump holds.

I have the bottom of an old 30 gallon drum for my drain pan. I bent the top edge a little to give it a bit of a pour spout.

 

[PoorUB]

Best advancement in decades

https://www.oreillyauto.com/detail/c/john-dow-industries/tools---equipment/oil---lube-tools/oil-accessories/aced1f1ab54f/john-dow-industries-oil-drain-splash-pads/jdi0/jdisp1

It is absolutely amazing how well this works. 15 yrs ago when I was a tech at a Lexus dealer the SnapOn man came in w/ one of these. He walked through the shop looking for an oil drain about to happen. Asked the guy to wait a minute and yelled for all the other techs to watch. Almost every tech bought or ordered one. Next week I had mine and spent the following week trying to make a splash. Couldn't do it.

I can see it for daily use, but many of us an oil change might be twice a year. What do you do with a 2 foot oil soaked fiber Frisbee the rest of the time?

 

[ATC]

I can see it for daily use, but many of us an oil change might be twice a year. What do you do with a 2 foot oil soaked fiber Frisbee the rest of the time?

Leave it sitting on the drain pan until the next use?