Testing WVO

[Snake]

Anyone know if there's an inexpensive way of testing WVO for cleaners/etc. prior to filling your tank? I know the crackle test and the hot pan test are effective for water.

My concern is someone dumping chemicals into my oil, either while they're cleaning out the fryers or while the oil is sitting in the drums behind the restaurant.

Thanks,

--Snake

[Clay Henry]

There is no easy way that i know of...i have had this problem a couple times and am really interested in finding a way. Its rare that this happens but its just my luck.

[HorseMover]

Clay I thought I rembered you talking about adding warm water to a sample of oil in a sealed bottle and shaking to determine if it was contaminated. Something about it fizzing and popping the top or something? I am making this up?

[Justinlw]

Check the ph of the oil, it should show if any acids are present.

[Clay Henry]

Originally Posted by HorseMover

Clay I thought I rembered you talking about adding warm water to a sample of oil in a sealed bottle and shaking to determine if it was contaminated. Something about it fizzing and popping the top or something? I am making this up?

All that test for is sodium hydroxide and it works really well if there is a large amount of it but if a trace amount were present, i don' know how well it would pick it up. There are other chemicals used for kitchen cleaning also.
Need a way like litmus paper or something.

[HorseMover]

Gotcha. At least I am not making stuff up again. I thought I remembered talking to you or reading about that before.

[Justinlw]

[Clay Henry]

Justin, i understand the scale but what is an easy way to perforn this test on WVO?

[Justinlw]

Well, I'm not sure how good of an indicator it is, but I have a digital PH meter that I use to check mine. I usually only see a PH of around 5, if it goes below that I would worry. I've been meaning to shoot some oven cleaner into a cup of oil and get a worst case reading, but never have.

[triplemoutdoors]

You could use Chlor-D-Tect kits that would identify chlorine (halogens) over 1,000ppm. Here is the company that makes them. DEXSIL - Test kits for detection of contaminants in water, oil, and soil