Used oil containers...

[quick86]

I am trying to find a way to hold used oil without letting it sit in catch cans until I have empty quarts free.......

Anyways, I'd like to find something plastic I can hold a couple gallons in and store until I take it to get it recycled somewhere, and have looked at all the local auto parts stores and harbor freight with nothing avail except for big metal ones or gas cans...


I've thought about using gas cans but am not sure the oil places would appreciate me walking in there with it and them thinking its contaminated....


Anyone have any suggestions for me?

 

[j2k]

I use a 5 gallon red plastic gas can. It's held up fine for years. I just wrote oil on the side of it in case anyone ever thinks about touching it.

I carry it into the auto parts store when it's full to dump it. They've never seemed confused about what I'm doing. Must not be the only one doing it.

 

[Lotek]

Waste oil should be stored in metal drums if you want to get picky about it, but if you had a gas can labelled waste oil, I don't see how they would have a problem. Gas in oil isn't as big a problem as brake fluid, or chlorinated solvents for them.

 

[Eagle Point]

I save the plastic laundry soap buckets when empty that I get at Costco. With some cars I drain the oil directly into it and cover it with the lid. When it is full just take it to the dumps and they will pour it out for you and give the empty bucket back for reuse. Clean and easy.

 

[rwhite692]

I'd like to find something plastic I can hold a couple gallons in and store until I take it to get it recycled somewhere...

In the days BL (Before Lift), LOL, I had one of these (attached pic).

14 bucks, fulfills your stated needs (holds just over 3 gallons), and works great.

http://www.amazon.com/Wedco-12-1-Quart-Drain-Container/dp/B0002JMA2K

 

[TN_GARAGE]

Maybe using a blue gas can would help (although I'm not sure they'll say anything with a red one)


.........letting it sit in catch cans until I have empty quarts free......

What's the deal with the empty quarts?

 

[airbuff101]

Quick,
Check with Restaurants as they often get their cooking oils in 5-6 gal. tough plastic containers with large screw on caps and a carry handle. I had a couple that lasted at least 10 years.
They just gave them to me as they would just get tossed when empty.
Rob

 

[ImportTuner]

I use a 5 gallon red plastic gas can. It's held up fine for years. I just wrote oil on the side of it in case anyone ever thinks about touching it.

I carry it into the auto parts store when it's full to dump it. They've never seemed confused about what I'm doing. Must not be the only one doing it.

Guess you have not been in a O'Reilly lately .. I have been using a red 5 gallon gasoline container(clearly marked oil) for about 10 years and recently they would not take my oil because it was in a gasoline container even though it was marked oil.

 

[LEVE]

I have the Wedco oil container and really like it for when I change oil on two cars the same day.

I also use laundry detergent containers for transportation, as well as empty 1 gal oil containers. I get my oil at WalMart in the 1gal jugs. Both these containers work well, don't leak and let me transport the oil and let me leave the containers at the recycle center. It really helps keep the mess down... and since I live 30 miles from the recycle center I can stack the containers in the shelving till I go to town.

 

[RustFarmer]

Buy new oil in 5 gal pails from the farm supply store. Once emptied, the pails work well for holding waste motor oil. You never take the lid off the pail, they have a smaller screwtop in the lid for pouring. Get a drain pan with a spout that fits in the pail lid screwtop. Then empty your drain pan into the 5 gal pail.

 

[quick86]

Maybe using a blue gas can would help (although I'm not sure they'll say anything with a red one)


.........letting it sit in catch cans until I have empty quarts free......

What's the deal with the empty quarts?

I buy my oil in 5 quart jugs - and my wifes car and my DD Honda use less than 5 quarts... So I don't like to put waste oil in with the good stuff that I hadn't used yet.

 

[1320stang]

All my vehicles use 5 quarts, I pour the used oil back into the jugs, then once I've drained them at O'Reillys, I toss 'em in their dumpster.

 

[VWingman]

I second the restaurant idea. Also check the local grocery store that has a deli or fries food. Thats where mine come from.
Another would be, most detergents/wax/chemicals for large floor cleaning crews come in 3 or 5 gallon heavy duty containers too.

 

[ajchien]

I also have a preference for 5 qt jugs. However, I use the 1 gallon plastic water bottles often.

 

[Red Green]

I have been using the 5 gallon jugs that car wash concentrate comes in work.

 

[csp]

5 gallon bucket with a lid that has a gasket. Doesn't get any simpler for filling or empyting.

With my F250 I drain from the oilpan directly into the bucket.

 

[Lotek]

Guess you have not been in a O'Reilly lately .. I have been using a red 5 gallon gasoline container(clearly marked oil) for about 10 years and recently they would not take my oil because it was in a gasoline container even though it was marked oil.

They wouldn't have a display of oil recovery containers on sale would they?

This is one of those wtf things, You could mix oil with gas, old pesticide, pcbs, chlorinated hydrocarbons, etc, and as long as it is in an approved container, they will happily contaminate their waste oil with it.

 

[scott37300]

I got some 5 gallon buckets from a friend that worked in a paper mill, think they were ink buckets. They washed them out good and they make excellant waste fluid buckets. They have a large screw on cap and you can pull it up for a spout. They also have a vent cap so they don't splatter. I just took 10 gallons of oil/transmission fluid and about 8 gallons of antifreeze to my local waste dump. These things are super nice.

Something like this, http://www.labsafety.com/Plastic-Pa...11613/Plastic-Pails_24546032/?isredirect=true

 

[Call me the Breeze]

I have used the cat litter jugs that have the screw on tops. Can't remember off hand how much they hold, 3 gallons I think. they are pretty heavy duty

 

[tdkkart]

Over the years I've gotten hold of a couple 15 gallon drums, big enough to last me a couple years between having them emptied, small enough to still be able to lift them.

 

[CarCrafter]

Quick,
Check with Restaurants as they often get there cooking oils in 5-6 gal. tough plastic containers with large screw on caps and a carry handle. I had a couple that lasted at least 10 years.
They just gave them to me as they would just get tossed when empty.
Rob

+1

Most restaurants just throw these out anyways. Just make sure you don't dump HOT oil into these containers. If you wait for your oil to cool down to temp, these containers can last quite a while.

 

[Gary S]

Quick,
Check with Restaurants as they often get there cooking oils in 5-6 gal. tough plastic containers with large screw on caps and a carry handle. I had a couple that lasted at least 10 years.
They just gave them to me as they would just get tossed when empty.
Rob

That is what I've been using for the past 25 years. I have two of those jugs, so when I've collected 10 gallons, it is time to haul it out.

 

[posaune]

5 gallon bucket with a lid that has a gasket. Doesn't get any simpler for filling or empyting.

This.

HD or Lowe's has them for $5 or less. I have one for coolant, one for trans fluid and one for oil. They seem to be the best solution for me.

 

[Charles (in GA)]

Just bring that oil right on over to my place and we'll pour it in the fuel tank for my Lanair waste oil fueled heater.

Charles

 

[Stephenw]

I've been using a 5 gallon gas can, marked "used oil". A fireman emailed me claiming it was illegal to use a gas can for used oil. It looks to me like it is illegal to carry gasoline, diesel, or kerosene in the wrong container. I cannot find a reference stating it is illegal for used oil to go in a gas can.

I think I will paint my used oil can a different color with Krylon Fusion paint for plastics.

I've had milk jugs and cat litter containers split open and dump the contents on the ground.

 

[danski0224]

No oil in gas cans here. Doesn't matter if the fuel container is red, blue or yellow.

I just ordered one of these in clear: http://www.zenithmotorsports.com/scribner5gallon.aspx

 

[BillK]

Quick,
See if your local automotive machine shop has any empty 5 gal jugs that Sunnen honing oil comes in. They are very heavy duty plastic and have a nice large screw on lid. I have one for oil and one for anti freeze in my garage.

 

[D.J.]

Please use the words USED OIL and not Waste Oil, no I'm not being picky but the waste oil indicates a hazardous substance and used oil is just that and not a hazardous substance. The reason I know this is we had the tank at work labeled waste and corporate made us change it to just used oil. I work for a farmers co-op and you might be able to go to one in your area and ask if you could have some of their empty 2.5 gal containers that various products come in that they use in the spring time of the year.

 

[cabman]

I have seen these locally for less, but I would say that it is better than a gas can. Also made in the USA.

http://www.northerntool.com/shop/tools/product_200353421_200353421?cm_ven=Aggregates&cm_cat=Google&cm_pla=Fuel%20Transfer%20%2B%20Lubrication%3EOil%20Drains&cm_ite=1095323?ci_src=14110944&ci_sku=1095323

 

[Stuart in MN]

I've been using old antifreeze gallon jugs for years.

 

[fflintstone]

I store mine in 2 steel 6 gallon former ammonia tanks. The old blueprint machine where I worked used them. Mine are well over 25 years old and still work great.
Hook up with that guy with all the used 5 gal racing fuel containers.

 

[mobetta]

I use the cubies from a restaurant.

and yes, here in the USA it is illegal to put ANYTHING in a Gasoline, Diesel, Kerosene jug EXCEPT for what that container is labeled for. try reading the jug itself.

it may seem silly, but it is to protect first responders and firefighters so that they KNOW what chemicals and hazards they are dealing with.

and at walmart, fleetfarm, menards, TSC, OS, you can usually buy nice 5-7 gal blue water jugs that are as heavy duty as a fuel can for about the same $$. still should be labeled used oil, though.

 

[nuclearlemon]

i buy gear oil in five gallons buckets, they're handy. i also go through a lot of arizona ice tea and their gallon jugs are beefy, so i've got a bunch of those lying around

 

[Stephenw]

I have seen these locally for less, but I would say that it is better than a gas can. Also made in the USA.

http://www.northerntool.com/shop/tools/product_200353421_200353421?cm_ven=Aggregates&cm_cat=Google&cm_pla=Fuel%20Transfer%20%2B%20Lubrication%3EOil%20Drains&cm_ite=1095323?ci_src=14110944&ci_sku=1095323

Someone on here said they bought one of those and the seam split, spilling their oil out.

 

[roofster]

I have used the cat litter jugs that have the screw on tops. Can't remember off hand how much they hold, 3 gallons I think. they are pretty heavy duty

x2 on that, don''t need a funnel if I careful either

 

[Need4racin]

Why don't you just keep the original jug the oil came in? It would be a cold day in hell when I bought a new plastic jug to carry used oil in.

Check with loggers, construction crews, etc. They use 5 gallon buckets of hydraulic oil. You can even use these for redneck gas tanks.

 

[Notch1988]

I got my 5 gallon plastic buckets from the local bakery. They get all their corn syrups and molasses in them.

 

[jamesemery728]

Had one of these for 2 years, no splitting, solid as a rock. Tractor Supply has them for $5.00. Be sure to get the 12 quart one from Blitz. Walmart has a smaller version of the Blitz but I think its only 5 or 6 qts. Has a wide top so you don't spill the oil all over pouring it in or out.

 

[Arne73]

5 gallon pail with a snap on pour top. Mine is actually a 7 gallon pail that used to hold some sort of floor wax.
Only time I had a problem with it was when a guy at Kragen gave me some s#it about having to be a licensed waste hauler to move more than 5 gallons at a time.

 

[bczygan]

I've used the cheap rectangular oil drain pans and the big round plastic screens fall into the tank along with the oil filter and you have to fish it all out. And they are too small to aim the flow at. Now I use one of these. A couple bucks more than the cheap ones but in another league. It is big enough to aim at and with a reservoir big enough to store 3 changes until taking to the store. Easy pour spout to load into store container or other storage. Just have some paper towels to wipe off the top. Don't lose the small green plug and remember to open the small green vent when emptying. I also want to install one of those valve type drain plugs with a plastic hose for neater oil change.

Link: (Also available at your local auto parts store)
http://www.blitzusa.com/products/oil/Oil%20Drains%20and%20Pans/podp15od.htm