Where Do I get my Veggie Oil?

Now for one of the most important pieces of switching to vegetable-based fuels: locating and acquiring the used vegetable oil!  At first thought, you may think this will be very easy.  I just need to go down to my local McDonalds and scoop up some of their oil when I need it.  You better think twice.

Not only do you need to ask permission to take waste vegetable oil, you may need more than just the restaurant manager's permission!  If you look at the oil bin behind a restaurant that is used for dumping waste oil, you will probably see a company name and phone number on the bin.  It will not say McDonald's or Chick-fil-A.  Chances are it will have a grease haulers name and phone number on it.  In order to get one of those bins behind their restaurant, the owner/manager signs a contract with the grease hauler that give the hauler ownership of the waste oil once it is dumped into their bin.  If you get permission from the manager of the restaurant to remove some oil, you could be arrested for theft!  This oil belongs to the grease hauler and I guarantee you they will not give you permission to take their oil!

Finding Good Oil

The first step in the oil acquisition process is to find a source of good oil.  There are two methods you can use to do this

Recon! - Travel to restaurants that are close to your home or the place where you will be processing your oil.  Go in, order a meal and look at the menu.  Notice what types of food are on the menu and which ones you think are deep-fried.  You are looking for a clean source of straight fryer oil that is not contaminated with lots of tallow from frying hamburgers or cooking steaks, etc.  Once you have identified a potential source, you are ready for the next step.

Stealth! - Stake out a few restaurants and go to the back and peek in the bins.  If the oil looks white and thick or a large portion of it looks thick and white, move on.  If it is mostly liquid, you have probably found a good source.  Now, you are ready for the next step.

Making Contact

When you are ready to make contact with the restaurant to get permission for oil, plan a late lunch one day to start negotiations.  Dress neatly but not too nice.  Go there for a late lunch and after ordering, ask to talk to the manager when he has a moment.  You'll want to pick a time that is not during the lunch or dinner rush.  This will be an annoyance for the manager since he will be very busy.  A weekday afternoon is the best option.  Second choice is in the morning before the lunch rush.(some restaurants don't open until 11am though) The manager will still be busy preparing for lunch but less willing to blow you off than during the lunch or dinner rush.

Have a letter and/or business card ready.  Here are some tips on what to tell the manager when you get to meet with them:

• I have modified a diesel car/truck to use waste cooking oil as fuel instead of diesel oil.  Make sure they understand.  If not, slow down and keep explaining until they get this.  You may have to describe what oil you are asking for if they don't speak good english.
   

• I hope to find a restaurant that is willing to let me pick up their oil weekly to process into fuel for my car/truck.
   

• Would you be willing to let me have some oil to test to see if it will work well in my vehicle?

You may get a semi-"no" answer at first just because it is a lot of information to digest.  If they seem hesitant, leave a card and or letter and ask them to think about it and you will be back for lunch soon.  Return within a week to check again.  When you come to visit, make sure you are buying lunch and tipping well.  You are building a relationship with the restaurant manager/owner.

If you get a very strong "no" the second time, move on.  If the manager tells you that the owner or parent company has a policy against giving away oil, move on.  You won't change their mind.

Experience will show you that Asian restaurants are usually a great source of waste oil.  They tend to fry only pieces of chicken, chicken wings and egg rolls/wontons.  They change their oil often and don't fry meats on a griddle.  If you want to skip the "recon" or "stealth" step, just focus on Chinese, Japanese, and Thai restaurants!

You may get several "no's" before you get your first potential source.  For this reason, you should not pick your first choice restaurants first.  Experiment with restaurants that may be a little farther away or not the best choice.  Once you have experience and know the method that gets a "yes," then you are ready to try your first choice restaurants.

Relationship Maintenance

In order to keep good oil source, you need to continue to keep a good relationship with the restaurant.  Here are some tips on keeping them happy:

1. Eat often at the restaurants.  If you can bring friends, do it.  You will be a good customer if you bring new people to their business.  Remember, they are saving you money on fuel... you can afford to buy lunch there at least once a month! (lunches are usually less than $10 in most local restaurants if you drink water)
    

2. Always be friendly but not talkative.  You don't want to chat with the waiters and cooks when they should be working.  You can tell if it is a good time to say "hi" or if you should just quietly, quickly get the oil, wave, smile and go.
    

3. Bring something to the manager and employees during the holidays just to let them know you appreciate them.  If this is an Asian restaurant, learn the holidays for their culture and bring them something on the Chinese New Year or such.  If not, a gift on an American holiday has the same effect
    

4. Keep the waste area clean if they are dumping into a drum for you.  If you notice that the area is starting to smell, clean it as best you can.  Other people in the grease community have suggested pressure washing the area once a year.  This is a very good idea.
    

5. Be reliable.  Don't miss a week.  Set a day and keep to the schedule.  If you have to vary the schedule, make sure you notify them in advance.

Congratulations!  You now have a free source for your fuel!

DRAFT

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