Cooking oil distribution and grease collection and dispensing apparatus and method

A method of distributing cooking oil to a frying vat in a restaurant or the like and disposing of used cooking oil from the frying vat, comprising the steps of:

• providing a first tank separate and apart from the frying vat for receiving used cooking oil from the frying vat;
• placing the tank in selective fluid communication with the frying vat to remove the used cooking oil from the frying vat into the tank;
• providing a means for directly removing the used cooking oil to a location that is outside the restaurant or the like;
• said step of providing a means for directly removing the used cooking oil to a location outside the restaurant or the like comprising the steps of:
• connecting the tank to a distribution and collection station, and
• connecting a coupling to a conduit at the distribution and collection station so that the end of the conduit may be selectively opened to permit removal of the used cooking oil from the tank or sealed to retain the used cooking oil within the tank;
• providing a dispensing tank, separate and apart from said first tank, at an elevation above the frying vat;
• connecting a piping system between the dispensing tank and the frying vat;
• placing a pump in the piping system;
• placing a valve in the piping system;
• and
• selectively controlling the valve and pump to control the flow of cooking oil from the dispensing tank to the frying vat.