Your UCO System Is Just As Important as Other Equipment
A kitchen’s used cooking oil system needs to be viewed the same way as a fryer. It’s a necessary piece of equipment for running your kitchen. Even if your restaurant doesn’t have a fry-heavy menu, you’re going to produce UCO. North American restaurants, hotels, casinos, and other kitchen operations produce 4.4 billion pounds of used cooking oil. All of that needs to be stored somewhere before it can be collected and recycled. UCO systems are important not just for efficiency, but safety and sanitation.
Most fryers are already equipped with oil disposal, so why not add the container to go with it?
Related Article: Top Things to Know About Purchasing Kitchen Equipment
It’s Easier to Save Space for Something Early on Than Create Space Later
While DAR PRO’s UCO systems are designed to be as low-profile as possible, your container is still a large piece of equipment that can’t be thrown in without any forethought.
Commercial kitchens are designed to be as efficient as possible. The layout you choose makes a difference in how well your cooks execute the menu. The size and placement of cooking equipment, storage space, food preparation areas all affect the speed of the line.
None of this should be on the list to do later on. A UCO container is no different.
Still deciding on a kitchen plan? Check out our article on the Five Best Commercial Kitchen Layouts.
How to Fit a Used Cooking Oil Container in Your Kitchen
When you start to design your kitchen layout, there are a few things to consider in terms of where your equipment will go.
Timing is Key
You should start thinking about your UCO system at the same time you start to think about the rest of your kitchen equipment. We recommend ordering your container at the same time you order your fryer or other large kitchen equipment.
Things that Affect Placement
While you need to ensure you have space for your UCO container, you do have to keep some placement requirements in mind.
Where Your Fryer is Located
You’ll have a few different options to transfer the oil from the fryer to the container. The direct pump system sends the oil directly from the fryer to the container at the flip of a switch. A pump station is also a direct transfer, but the hose and pump are detachable. For either of these options, the container and fryer need to be no more than 75 feet away from each other.
Where DAR PRO Collects Cooking Oil
We’ll also need access to an exterior wall. To get the oil from the container inside the kitchen to the truck outside, we’ll pump it through a valve on the wall that’s connected to a hose coming from your container. This not only makes it easy for us to collect the UCO, it prevents oil theft (yes, it’s a real problem).
Indoor vs Outdoor Containers
We’ve been discussing UCO containers that fit in your kitchen, but there is another option. Outdoor UCO containers may work better depending on the space you have in your kitchen, the layout you choose, or even the space or layout of your exterior. And the best part is, they still use automatic transfer methods to move used oil from the fryer to the container.
Where to Put Your UCO Container
All that being said, where to even begin to create space for your equipment? Our expert sales team will help. Some common indoor UCO container locations that we’ll recommend placement are:
In line with storage shelves
In-between fryer and refrigeration equipment
Next to a utility sink
Back-of-house storage closet
Near the back door
Wall exterior on outside loading dock
There is a possibility that your kitchen doesn’t have the right space for an indoor container. If that’s the case, we’ll recommend talking to your contractor about pouring a concrete pad outside in the back of your restaurant for an exterior container to be placed.
Why You Should Build With DAR PRO
We’re not just going to tell owners of new restaurants that you need to do something—we’ll help make it happen.
DAR PRO has decades of experience building and installing UCO systems, as well as collecting UCO.
Who you partner with to handle your cooking oil is just as important as making sure your kitchen has a UCO container.
We’ll Find the Best Equipment For Your Setup
You don’t have to be intimidated by choosing a UCO system. The experts at DAR PRO will take a look at your schematics and work with you to understand your needs. Then we’ll show you the best UCO system option for your setup. Some restaurants that don’t produce much oil may not qualify for a fully automated system. In which case, they’ll receive just the UCO bin and DAR PRO collection services. However, we’ll determine this on a case-by-case basis.
DAR PRO will work with your contractors to install the equipment, and we'll be there every step of the way to ensure it fits seamlessly and functions perfectly. Once it’s installed, our customer service representatives are available 24/7.
Our Certified Containers are Made with Durable, Food-Safe Materials
We make our automatic equipment in-house with innovative and quality materials and technology. These containers are built to last as long as fryers—up to 20 years with proper maintenance.
Related Article: How to Approach Restaurant Equipment Maintenance
These quality materials mean that the UCO containers are certified to be in your kitchen. There’s a common misconception that as a waste collection appliance, UCO equipment doesn’t belong in the kitchen. However, DAR PRO’s systems are food-safe and sanitary.
We Collect Used Cooking Oil Discretely and Reliably
Once your container is installed and your system is set up, DAR PRO will pick up your used cooking oil on your schedule. As often as it fills, we’ll pump the oil from your container outside of peak business hours.
The advantage of partnering with DAR PRO doesn’t just stop at convenience. We recycle UCO to create renewable green fuel. So not only can you feel good about the easy collection of UCO, but you can feel good about your role in environmental stewardship.
Want to learn more about what happens to UCO when it leaves your restaurant? Have questions about our service? Read our Complete Guide to Used Cooking Oil Service. DAR PRO’s parent company, Darling Ingredients, has been the leader in organic material recycling for almost a century and a half. We have the experience, the expertise, and the dedication to not only help restaurant owners but to a sustainable future.
Contact us today to get started.
Ready to Get Started? Have Questions? Talk to DAR PRO
Building with DAR PRO makes running a kitchen simpler in the end. A used cooking oil collection system should be at the top of your mind when you design your kitchen, and we’re here to make sure you get the best fit.
Our UCO systems are made to work in large kitchens, small kitchens, and everything in between. Check out our UCO systems and transfer options, then reach out today to get started with DAR PRO.
DAR PRO Solutions is a thought leader in the industry for used cooking oil collection and grease trap services. Our innovative equipment solutions, strong customer support, and service expertise will make handling grease a worry free part of your business. Reach out to a DAR PRO representative today and find out how your ghost kitchen or restaurant can benefit from our partnership. Call us 24/7/365 at 855-DAR-PRO1 (855-327-7761).
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For customer service inquiries call our toll free number (855) 327-7761
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12/17/2018