Oil Pick Up Day

Today is oil collection day. We collect used fryer oil and make bio-diesel to heat our greenhouse. Presently, we use a furnace. A generator is on the way. Once that's set up, we won't need to purchase methanol and lye anymore...we will just get to burn straight oil! We will have all our electric needs for the greenhouse taken care of off grid.

Being dependent on the electric company bothers me. We have a propane generator for short term power outages but that means we are dependent on the propane company. I don't like that, either. Plus, the money I have to send to these companies every month bothers me. Incorporating a generator will reduce our expenses by approximately $400 a month. Helluva motivation to get it together! We don't have lights in the greenhouse because of the bill. Lights mean better growth year round.

Oil collection happens year round. Summer time, though, we collect A LOT. Tourist season combined with the fact that the hibernation is over (I am in Maine) means a lot more cooking at the restaurants and markets.

When we started going to different businesses to ask for their oil I was impressed by the willingness to give it to us. It used to be that the businesses had to pay someone to pick up the oil. Then it gradually changed to companies picking up the oil for free. These restaurants and markets have nothing to gain by giving their oil to us. They just like what we are doing and want to help.