i've been to Dyersburg. This doesn't surprise me.

Apparently oil is inert enough that this doesn't matter, especially once heated to 500 degrees for frying. No germs survive that. But some cooks believe that deep fryer oil gets 'worn out.' I think Jeffrey Steingarten may have written about this - him or some other science-y writer.

This is gross and all, but don't react too much without comparing it to other restaurants. Most places don't throw out their fryer oil and start totally fresh more than a few times a year anyway.

Huh. That's disgusting.

I used to work the deep fryer at a restaurant, and we definitely completely drained the tank and changed the oil every two days. I thought this was standard. Now I don't want to eat out again.

Although apparently it doesn't kill you or anything, so I should probably just get over my mental objection and enjoy the goodness of greasy food.

Ewww.

And they don't throw out old fryer oil, they sell it to cosmetic manufacturers for lipstick - well, the fried chicken shop my friend worked at did anyway. Double ew.

HOMER: Mmmm. Hey, this hot dog tastes different.
APU: Yes, I just cleaned out the machine sir, so the snack you are enjoying has not been soaking in its putrid grease.
HOMER: Yeah ... but without all the grease all you can taste is the hog anus.

sell it to cosmetic manufacturers for lipstic

*furiously wipes lipstick off face* eeeeeeeeew! I thought mine was the traditional crushed lice thing. That I can live with.

WANT.

The burger sounds awesome. I want one with some fresh grease.