BWCA Frying fish in BWCA - disposing of oil Boundary Waters Trip Planning Forum
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DontPanic
senior member (61)senior membersenior member
  
03/07/2018 03:46PM   (Thread Older Than 3 Years)
What do you do with the used oil? Pack it out? Dump it in the woods away from camp and portages? What do you do?
 
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murphylakejim
distinguished member(552)distinguished memberdistinguished memberdistinguished memberdistinguished member
  
03/07/2018 05:40PM  
pack it out
mastertangler
distinguished member(4432)distinguished memberdistinguished memberdistinguished memberdistinguished memberpower member
  
03/07/2018 05:48PM  
I like to burn my oil in a hot fire.
03/07/2018 06:18PM  
I pack it out.
nooneuno
distinguished member(633)distinguished memberdistinguished memberdistinguished memberdistinguished member
  
03/07/2018 06:18PM  
there is really no need for much oil to fry fish in 1/8 to 1/4 inch in the pan will suffice. after cooking wipe the pan with a paper towel and throw it on the fire, pan is clean, oil is gone.
theBull42
member (5)member
  
03/07/2018 07:43PM  
There shouldn’t be too much excess and don’t forget that if there is, it can go on Ginger’s kibble, bro.
03/07/2018 08:02PM  
Wipe it up with paper towel, burn it
03/07/2018 08:07PM  
We do the same with a paper towel and then pack it out. I became a little paranoid
about burning this and anything else with a food smell. I just thought it would be safer to pack out and not risk attracting any unwanted animals to our campsite -- especially when camping with my family.
03/07/2018 08:16PM  
Why would burning a paper towel with used oil on it smell any different or better to a Bear than the fish you just fried? I’m not trying to be a jerk,just wondering how it’s different.
oth
Guest Paddler
  
03/07/2018 08:30PM  
mastertangler: "I like to burn my oil in a hot fire. "

+1
old_salt
distinguished member(2547)distinguished memberdistinguished memberdistinguished memberdistinguished member
  
03/07/2018 08:42PM  
Not really a concern, since there are no fish to speak of in the bwca.

Hypothetically speaking, if there were any fish to fry, I would pour any excess oil into the fire, then wipe with paper towels and burn in the high heat generated by burning oil. I've never had any bears in camp while cooking fish or anything else. Just keep a clean camp, and don't lose any sleep over it.
03/07/2018 08:59PM  
nooneuno: "there is really no need for much oil to fry fish in 1/8 to 1/4 inch in the pan will suffice. after cooking wipe the pan with a paper towel and throw it on the fire, pan is clean, oil is gone."


We have always done the same and use squeeze Parkay added in small amounts as the fish fry. Very little left to wipe up with a paper towel which is then burned in a hot fire.
03/07/2018 11:58PM  
pour it over your burning wood , wipe with paper towel toss in fire.
thlipsis29
distinguished member(1260)distinguished memberdistinguished memberdistinguished memberdistinguished member
  
03/08/2018 06:02AM  
Burn it as well and any of the paper towel used to wipe out the residual oil.
03/08/2018 06:15AM  
I too am in the use little oil and wipe with paper towel camp. I use butter flavored Crisco after reading about that here. In the past, there has been debate whether burning anything in the fire other than wood is in violation of the rules. So is burning an oil infused paper towel after cooking fish a rule violation. I plead the 5th.
BnD
distinguished member(810)distinguished memberdistinguished memberdistinguished memberdistinguished member
  
03/08/2018 07:45AM  
Short answer, we recycle. We carry our peanut oil (super high smoke point so we don't burn the oil and we can re-use) in wide mouth Nalgene bottles and take a couple paper paint strainers with us. When we are done frying fish we let it cool, pour it back in the Nalgene through the paint strainer to clean oil and wipe up what is left in the bottom of the frying pan with a paper towel(s) for fire starter.

We have tried the minimal oil pan frying and lets just say IMO there's a difference. OK is all I have to say about pan frying. IMO the fish needs to be half depth in the oil at least so that's at least 1/2" in deep in the pan without fish in the oil. We pre-measure ours in our frying pan before we leave plus a little extra.

All that said we don't really like to fuss with a fish fry more than once or twice a trip. Too much prep, mess and time involved verses simple heat, grill, bake or boil and eat food. Whatever is left at the end of the trip is used for camp fire enhancer.
03/08/2018 09:17AM  
I use the bare minimum needed and then wipe out the pan and burn like most of you.

I've never been worried about the smell of burning the oil. The smell from the fried fish and the smell of a oil soaked paper towel in your garbage bag won't have any less smell.

I do avoid dumping the oil directly on the fire though just in case there is a flare up. I'd rather soak the oil up with a paper towel and toss it in from a safe distance.

If for some reason burning a paper towel is against the rules I'll take my chances. Gathering evidence won't be very easy though since paper towel ash looks pretty much the same as all the other ash.
Selfsuffi
distinguished member (276)distinguished memberdistinguished memberdistinguished member
  
03/08/2018 12:20PM  
If you burn it on the fire just be careful. If you pour too much or too quick you may have oil running off into the ash and not getting burnt. That will draw wildlife you don't necessarily want. Or worse have burning oil not in the fire grate. I prefer the use a small amount and paper towel the remains.
schweady
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03/08/2018 12:37PM  
We burn it. But we are not into deep fat frying. By the time we are done frying fish, there isn't all that much oil to pour off and burn.

But, bacon? Now, that's a different story. We save the grease and use it for frying future meals. Excess is burned as long as we know there will be a couple more fires before leaving camp. If not, it's cooled and packed out in a double-ziploc. One of the advantages of basecamping, I guess.
03/08/2018 02:36PM  
Burning trash is illegal in Minnesota as well as in the BW. I believe it states that on the permit. Oil should be packed out. That being said, one time I was wiping the oil out of my frying pan and the paper towel accidentally fell into the fire. Needless to say, It burned rather quickly.
mutz
distinguished member(1267)distinguished memberdistinguished memberdistinguished memberdistinguished member
  
03/08/2018 06:05PM  
We also burn it. If the weather is wet and you are worried about getting damp wood burning, the oil you get on you paper towels tonight then sealed up in a zip lock bag makes excellent fire starter in the morning.
mutz
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03/08/2018 06:05PM  
03/08/2018 06:48PM  
egknuti: "Burning trash is illegal in Minnesota as well as in the BW. I believe it states that on the permit. Oil should be packed out. That being said, one time I was wiping the oil out of my frying pan and the paper towel accidentally fell into the fire. Needless to say, It burned rather quickly."


I'm with you...I would think at that point you are burning a home made fire-starter and not trash, so in my twisted mind we're not breaking any rules.

I'm 100% on board with leave no trace, and I think this qualifies. You're not leaving any, and anything you're burning is already 100% degradable. While some may disagree with me, let me state that I've left every campsite I've been on cleaner than when I arrived.
BnD
distinguished member(810)distinguished memberdistinguished memberdistinguished memberdistinguished member
  
03/08/2018 07:08PM  
I agree. Clothes drier lint with vasoline fire starters and basically any other fire starters are clearly off limits to the LNT police since niether the lint nor the vasoline are indigenous to the region I suppose.
tarnkt
distinguished member (366)distinguished memberdistinguished memberdistinguished member
  
03/08/2018 08:24PM  
Don’t overthink it, just pour it on the fire. If you fry fish on the stove wait until you have a fire to get rid of it. Worst case scenario I suppose you could pack it out in the container you used to pack it in
03/08/2018 09:53PM  
mastertangler: "I like to burn my oil in a hot fire. "


Absolutely right! Don't overthink this problem. Burn it and done.
inspector13
distinguished member(4169)distinguished memberdistinguished memberdistinguished memberdistinguished memberpower member
  
03/09/2018 07:17AM  
johndku: "I'm 100% on board with leave no trace, and I think this qualifies. You're not leaving any, and anything you're burning is already 100% degradable. While some may disagree with me, let me state that I've left every campsite I've been on cleaner than when I arrived."

The reason burning trash is prohibited in Minnesota, is because it produces dioxins. This includes paper towels and paper plates because the wood pulp is bleached in the manufacturing process.

03/09/2018 08:11AM  
Good info, thanks inspector.
boondock
senior member (56)senior membersenior member
  
03/09/2018 11:58AM  
You can get paper products made from unbleached pulp. Seventh Generation is the most common brand I see.
inspector13
distinguished member(4169)distinguished memberdistinguished memberdistinguished memberdistinguished memberpower member
  
03/09/2018 12:28PM  

I doubt the rangers would give you a pass if they caught you burning your trash and you explained to them it is unbleached.

BnD
distinguished member(810)distinguished memberdistinguished memberdistinguished memberdistinguished member
  
03/09/2018 12:46PM  


Last night paper towels and used fish fry oil.
03/09/2018 12:49PM  
inspector13: "
I doubt the rangers would give you a pass if they caught you burning your trash and you explained to them it is unbleached.
"


Yeah, but this is another example of following the spirit of the law vs the letter. I think it is more important to follow the spirit of the law than the letter. The problem is knowing the reasoning behind the laws though. Dioxins are a good example of this where many are likely unaware of why we shouldn't burn trash and just think it is so the fire pits don't turn into trash heaps.

We just don't want to blindly follow rules without understanding them though. Perhaps if unbleached plates and paper become more popular, then the rules might be changed to reflect that. We also don't want to take our limit in fish just because we can so it goes both ways.
inspector13
distinguished member(4169)distinguished memberdistinguished memberdistinguished memberdistinguished memberpower member
  
03/09/2018 01:54PM  

I think unbleached paper products are a good idea. Especially knowing that dioxins are bioaccumulative. I see the reasoning behind bleached writing paper, but bleached napkins, toilet paper, and paper towels? Unbleached paper plates might not appear clean to us however.

OldFingers57
distinguished member(4990)distinguished memberdistinguished memberdistinguished memberdistinguished memberpower member
  
03/09/2018 03:04PM  
In Quetico they encourage you to burn what is burnable and pack out all the rest. so paper towels with oil on them would be allowed to be burned.
03/09/2018 03:25PM  
Dioxin from burning paper would be very minimal as most all bleaching chemicals are washed from the pulp prior to the papermaking process. Burning foam cup and plates, plastic water bottles and food packaging materials would generate harmful smoke and dioxin.
pastorjsackett
distinguished member(1204)distinguished memberdistinguished memberdistinguished memberdistinguished member
  
03/09/2018 06:04PM  
I can't believe I just read with great interest all 34 responses in this thread. Am I really into canoe camping or just crazy?

Probably both.
03/09/2018 06:52PM  
Different opinions, all are well meaning.
03/10/2018 11:59PM  
pastorjsackett: "I can't believe I just read with great interest all 34 responses in this thread. Am I really into canoe camping or just crazy?


Probably both."


I did too. Maybe it's because I just got home from canoecopia and the bwca dinner.
treehorn
distinguished member(715)distinguished memberdistinguished memberdistinguished memberdistinguished member
  
03/12/2018 07:30AM  
Didn't realize so many people burn trash in the BWCA.

Not trying to get on a high horse or pretend I'm the best camper ever, or shame anybody, but always thought throwing any paper products into the fire was a no no.
CrookedPaddler1
distinguished member(1363)distinguished memberdistinguished memberdistinguished memberdistinguished member
  
03/12/2018 09:39AM  
It is a very interesting thread to watch what everyone does to dispose of their extra oil. I use the sticks of Crisco, and can adjust the amount in the pan so that I don't have a ton of extra oil in the pan that I need to dispose. Typically, I will fry my fish and then with the small amount of oil that is left, I will fry potatoes to use the balance of the oil up. Then I just add water and heat up the pan, and pour the water on the side of the fire. no paper to burn and no oil to try and reuse or dispose of.
03/12/2018 12:38PM  
jphares44
senior member (54)senior membersenior member
  
03/12/2018 05:34PM  
walllee: "Wipe it up with paper towel, burn it"


Typically what we do as well.
mastertangler
distinguished member(4432)distinguished memberdistinguished memberdistinguished memberdistinguished memberpower member
  
03/12/2018 08:27PM  
BnD: "

Last night paper towels and used fish fry oil. "


Um hello........this is hilarious! Well at least I thinks so ;-)
03/14/2018 10:32AM  
I pour it over the pig guts from the pig I just butchered and burn the whole mess.
03/14/2018 04:04PM  
nctry: "I pour it over the pig guts from the pig I just butchered and burn the whole mess."
LMAO
GeoFisher
distinguished member(1460)distinguished memberdistinguished memberdistinguished memberdistinguished member
  
03/14/2018 05:08PM  
mastertangler: "I like to burn my oil in a hot fire. "


I usually burn it in the fire...........
ozarkpaddler
distinguished member(5163)distinguished memberdistinguished memberdistinguished memberdistinguished memberpower member
  
03/14/2018 05:43PM  
nctry: "I pour it over the pig guts from the pig I just butchered and burn the whole mess."


Shame on you (LOL)! I hope you burn those paper plates too!
03/15/2018 04:23AM  
pastorjsackett: "I can't believe I just read with great interest all 34 responses in this thread. Am I really into canoe camping or just crazy?


Probably both."


My thought exactly. But it is only March and ice may be around for longer due to the cold winter.
03/15/2018 04:30AM  
BnD: "
Last night paper towels and used fish fry oil. "


I like a really big fish fry.
nmillette
member (32)member
  
03/30/2018 08:25AM  
I quit frying many trips ago. I now bring a sheet of tinfoil, and my refeflector oven.
Butter, parmesan cheese and old bay, and bake with cedar. You won't regret it.
mr.barley
distinguished member(7231)distinguished memberdistinguished memberdistinguished memberdistinguished memberpower member
  
03/30/2018 04:56PM  
I let it cool down and then I drink it. I bring lots of TP.
03/31/2018 01:47AM  
mr.barley: "I let it cool down and then I drink it. I bring lots of TP.
"




Pack that TP out! Haha. Just think of the dioxins after used for intended purpose.
andym
distinguished member(5340)distinguished memberdistinguished memberdistinguished memberdistinguished memberpower member
  
03/31/2018 05:34AM  
I just read the whole thread and I don’t even eat fish.

Just glad someone else brought up the trash burning issues. I got tired of doing that.

We bring a little oil for pancakes but my wife is very good at doing that with very little oil.
Savage Voyageur
distinguished member(14416)distinguished memberdistinguished memberdistinguished memberdistinguished membermaster membermaster member
  
03/31/2018 08:46AM  
We do not bring any oil with on our trips. We fry our fish in buttered flavored Crisco. After cooking we just pour the tiny amount on the fire we have going . Gone in a second.

We pack out all of our foil, plastic, trash, other peoples trash also. If we have a fire going and we have a couple of paper plates or paper towels, they also go into the fire.
smokedwhitefish
distinguished member (147)distinguished memberdistinguished memberdistinguished member
  
03/31/2018 08:58AM  
Burn it, but make sure to clean up any over spill on the fire grate. Old sticky blackened oil is a pain in the ass to clean off of cookware. Especially for the next group at the site your using.






mutz
distinguished member(1267)distinguished memberdistinguished memberdistinguished memberdistinguished member
  
03/31/2018 12:59PM  
Does anyone else find it odd that we have a question about burning used oil from fish frying with pros and cons on burning the oil, paper plates and paper towels in the fire pit. We have also had the question as to the burning of used TP, with pros and cons on that. Personally I think it is fine to burn used oil, paper plates and towels, but find it disgusting to burn used TP in the same fire pit that I cook on. I wonder if anyone burns the used TP and packs out the used oil.
03/31/2018 07:29PM  
mutz: "Does anyone else find it odd that we have a question about burning used oil from fish frying with pros and cons on burning the oil, paper plates and paper towels in the fire pit. We have also had the question as to the burning of used TP, with pros and cons on that. Personally I think it is fine to burn used oil, paper plates and towels, but find it disgusting to burn used TP in the same fire pit that I cook on. I wonder if anyone burns the used TP and packs out the used oil."


God almighty, I hope not........
03/31/2018 08:05PM  
Burned is burned. Unburned or partially burned could be a problem, TP-wise.
04/04/2018 08:14PM  
Deep fry - pack it out
Pan fry - burn what’s left

Please don’t dump it back in the woods!
bwcasolo
distinguished member(1921)distinguished memberdistinguished memberdistinguished memberdistinguished member
  
04/05/2018 05:32AM  
mastertangler: "
BnD: "


Last night paper towels and used fish fry oil. "



Um hello........this is hilarious! Well at least I thinks so ;-)"

+1
 
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