Frequently asked questions
Find answers to common questions about our services for used cooking oil recycling, grease traps and meat waste management, while learning about our sustainable practices and how easy it is to partner with us. If an answer is not available, connect with us and we would be happy to help.
Partnering with DAR PRO Solutions
How to become a DAR PRO customer?
It's simple! Reach out to us to complete the online sign-up process and order a container or a get a grease trap quote. The entire process should take 10 minutes or less.
What information is needed to setup service?
We will need contact information for someone authorized to set up service, and details of the service location, including address and deep fryer or grease trap info. This includes fryer size, disposal volume and frequency as well as any details on size and most recent services of the grease trap. This information will assist us in selecting the appropriate tank type and service schedule.
Is signing a contract required to become a customer?
We require new customers to sign a service agreement to protect both parties. This agreement ensures we are the sole service provider and defines our service commitments to customers. Marking a UCO container as property of DAR PRO Solutions helps prevent and prosecute grease theft.
What service footprint does DAR PRO Solutions operate in?
With 90+ processing facilities operating across the country, we can offer direct services to over 90% of the population of the continental U.S.
How does DAR PRO ensure compliance with local regulations?
DAR PRO customers can rest easy knowing that collected residuals will be handled safely, efficiently, and in full compliance with all relevant environmental, food and feed, and other regulatory codes. Our local service teams work with operators to establish a service schedule that meets regulations in their area.
DAR PRO Solutions provide customers with any reporting for sustainability efforts?
Yes, we provide a report to customers highlighting the positive impact their collected and recycled used cooking oil has on the environment. This helps customers close the loop on another effort to improve sustainability within their operations.
What are DAR PRO’s customer service hours?
Phones are answered by a live agent around the clock, 365 days a year. For email, online form inquiries or equipment support, specialists in our Customer Engagement Center are readily available from 8:00 am eastern until 5:00 pm central, Monday-Friday. Customer can also access our online portal for account information at any time.
Used cooking oil service
What is UCO and is it the same thing as grease?
Grease is the residue that remains after cooking fats (like when frying bacon), whereas cooking oil is often derived from plants and is what is used in your fryers. Grease and used cooking oil are different due to their properties, but they are often mistakenly used interchangeably. Our services include the collection of both UCO and grease.
Does DAR PRO collect all types of oil, including motor oil and residential cooking oil?
No, we exclusively collect used cooking oil from commercial and retail kitchens. We do not collect motor oil or residential cooking oil. Our services are tailored specifically to meet the needs of restaurants, hotels, and other businesses in the foodservice industry.
Does DAR PRO Solutions sell fresh cooking oil?
When it comes to fresh oil management, we step aside completely, giving store managers full control over fresh oil management, including when to purchase and at what cost. We do have programs with food distributors across the U.S. and would be happy to connect a customer with one of our partners.
What happens to used cooking oil after collection?
After a DAR PRO service tech has removed the used cooking oil from a store, we take it to one of our local Darling processing facilities. From there, it is rendered and repurposed into ingredients used in the production of renewable diesel.
Can cooking oil be poured down the drain to the underground grease trap?
Grease should never be poured down a drain, as it will solidify while traveling through the pipe and can cause clogging, backups and overflows.
Used cooking oil equipment
What is the difference between automated collection equipment and traditional collection equipment?
Automated collection equipment (ACE) includes fully enclosed used cooking oil containers that can either be directly plumbed to a fryer or work with a disposal method such as a portable grease caddy. They offer a nearly hands-free option for discarding fryer oil. Traditional collection equipment (TCE) includes metal bins that are not connected to fryers and often placed outside in a parking lot or corral. Though a durable solution, these do require carrying oil to the container manually.
How long does it take to transfer oil from fryer to container?
Our automated systems greatly reduce the time to dispose of used cooking oil. With a system that is connected to the fryer, it will take a matter of minutes to drain and transfer oil.
Does a restaurant need a site visit to qualify for used cooking oil equipment?
For our traditional equipment, we will be able to cover all the details over the phone and order the container. However, automated equipment may require one of our experts to conduct a brief survey to determine the right container and oil transfer method. The process takes 30 minutes or less!
Where will the UCO equipment be installed?
Our expert sales team is here to assist with finding the best spot for installing a UCO container, whether that be inside or outside a store. It is ideal for an indoor, automated container to be placed no more than 50 feet from a fryer, on an exterior wall, where a DAR PRO technician can access it from the outside to extract oil.
Is there equipment available for limited space?
Yes! Our diverse selection of equipment is designed to fit most any footprint and can seamlessly slide in line with back of house storage, next to a utility sink, alongside other equipment and more. We offer dual functioning solutions such as our Space Saver tank with shelves, and our Fat4Fuel system that is no more than 2 feet wide.
Who is responsible for installation of equipment?
We are! We have a team dedicated to coordinating the process from start to finish. We will deliver the container and schedule install with a DAR PRO technician or one of our trusted local partners.
Are there spec sheets and training available for the UCO containers?
Yes! When you partner with DAR PRO we will provide complete training at install. Though the systems are easy to use, our containers are equipped with a quick link to access spec sheets, training videos and operational guides.
What steps to take if the container is not working or needs repairs?
Reach out! Should a store need technical support, our in-house team is knowledgeable on all aspects of our systems and will swiftly guide customers or provide resources to help. To order replacement parts, visit our online parts portal.
Used cooking oil theft
Do restaurants experience theft in the used cooking oil market?
Yes, used cooking oil has monetary value. It is a recyclable component used in several products, including renewable diesel, biodiesel, and animal feed.
What do thieves do with stolen UCO?
It can be sold to companies that process UCO in the area, including local biofuel producers. Unfortunately, not all those companies offer end-to-end traceability like we do.
How is DAR PRO helping combat Grease theft?
Our products and services help protect people, property, the environment and our customers’ bottom lines. We have anti-theft technology today, which we continue to invest more into. Many of our containers have proprietary anti-theft technology that uses hose connections which work with DAR PRO equipment, deterring and often completely preventing theft of grease all together.
Grease trap service
What is a grease trap and why does a commercial kitchen need one?
A grease trap is a container, generally placed underground and usually outdoors. Material that runs through sinks, dishwashers, disposals, floor or other drains ends up in the grease trap. It is required in most commercial kitchens to collect the fats, oils and grease ("FOG") generated from the kitchen during operations.
How often should a grease trap be cleaned?
The frequency of service is determined by the volume of grease produced, the size of the trap, and city regulations. We work with businesses to create a service schedule compliant with applicable regulations. The general recommendation is for grease to be removed every one to three months.
Does DAR PRO sell or repair grease traps?
This is not a service we currently offer. However, we do monitor grease traps at time of service, noting any observations regarding the condition. This helps customers stay informed and plan for necessary maintenance to avoid future problems.
What should a restaurant do if the grease trap is overflowing?
Call a plumber immediately as they will be the ones to help fix an overflow. We are more than happy to remove the contents of the trap, but if a clog is the source of the overflow, a plumber will need to address the issue for the grease trap to function properly.
Why is there an odor after the trap was just cleaned?
There may be several causes for the smell. A worn or corroded gasket around the manhole cover may allow gases from the grease trap to escape and drift into the establishment. There could be a backup in the line, caused by grease and food clogs; customers should contact a plumber to clear any clogs. If the smell occurs right after a trap service visit, it could be due to the method used to clean the grease trap and will soon go away.
Should a grease trap contain water if it was just cleaned?
In some cases, a county will require water be returned to the grease trap, leaving it roughly ¼ full. A grease trap should never be full of water as that could lead to an overflow.
Meat by-product services
What type of by-products does DAR PRO Solutions collect?
Fat trimmings, bones and inedible scraps from food production, as well as expired or excess meat from retail and grocery store shelves.
What should not be put in the storage container?
Please avoid putting any plastic, cardboard or compost materials in the rendering container. Additionally, do not freeze the material in the container as it will make it difficult for DAR PRO technicians to collect.