First the Welsh were doing it, now we find out that the Americans have been making a business out of it, as the St. Louis Post-Dispatch reports in Fill 'er up, but hold the fries:
To Charles Anderson, success often smells like fried food.Gack! At least the Welsh were using new cooking oil. More than you likely want to know about the technical details by following the link.
A year ago, he launched his company, Greasel, hoping to sell a kit he developed that allows car owners to convert their diesel engines to run on used vegetable oil. With political uncertainties in the Middle East threatening to interfere with fossil fuel supplies, he is confident his business will continue to grow.
"It's better for your engine and the environment," said Anderson, of Drury, Mo., about 200 miles southwest of St. Louis. "And you can run your car on free fuel."
The last selling point has persuaded many customers to order and install his product.
"I last filled up at a Chinese restaurant," said Perry Pillard, a software engineer in Dallas who discovered Anderson's kit through an online search. Pillard regularly fills giant barrels with gallons of used vegetable oil for no charge from fast-food restaurants, which otherwise would have to pay for the removal and disposal by a professional service.
