The Search for Waste Oil

One of the most challenging aspects to owning a waste oil boiler is finding oil for it. Not everyone is going to have the luxury of owning a business that generates a lot of waste oil so being creative and resourceful is going to be necessary.

I have actually found that the challenge of finding oil is a fun one to have. That may sound funny but I love the challenge of solving problems. I would suggest looking at this problem the same way.

Here are some ideas on some waste oil fuel sources you will want to look at. I personally supplement my supply (we have 7 month winters where I live) by getting oil from a large local super tire store that also does oil changes. I also went to several aviation shops that work on small aircraft. Its hard at times to pump out that 50 weight oil but it works in the oil boiler just fine.

You can try going to several small but busy restaurants in the area and get a supply of vegetable oil. That fuel source works just fine in any waste oil burner. Its actually cleaner but you want to make sure that you filter it just the same. Its going to have a lot of debris in it that can really clog up your machine.

Transmission shops are another great place to get fuel for your boiler or waste oil furnace. That is actually the best type of fluid you can get. Its like gold! As long as you filtered it you could put transmission fluid in any diesel vehicle you own for fuel.

Any small to large mechanic shop will be more than happy to give you their oil. Its a pain to get rid of if you do not own a machine to burn it. They usually will get it picked up. A lot of companies pay for it but its not a lot. Talk to any foreman and I guarantee he will give you a 55 gallon drum of waste oil for $5 or most likely for nothing to take it off his hands.

There are tons of places to get a good supply. You just have to look for it. The possibilities are endless. All our cars, trucks, generators, construction equipment, and general machines are being lubricated by oil. That oil has to be changed sometime. And its going to be stored somewhere. You just have to find out where it is and get it.