Abstract:
A counter-top grease collector receptacle that is co-operative with a cooking vessel to collect and dispose of cooking fluids and grease. A cover defines a sloped cooking vessel support. A mechanism or wedge may be provided to control the slope angle. A receptacle has an interior that is adapted to operatively receive and contain fluids drained from the cooking vessel. The receptacle is located beneath the cooking vessel support to enable gravity transfer of fluids from cooking vessel to receptacle. An oil drain stem is adapted to operatively removably couple the cooking vessel to the receptacle. The cover is cooperative with the cooking vessel support and receptacle to enclose and conceal the receptacle interior. An auxiliary funnel inlet may also be provided above the receptacle to receive fluids from cooking vessels not otherwise adapted to couple through the oil drain stem.

Description:
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     This application claims the benefit under 35 USC 119(e) of provisional application 61/714,408 filed on Oct. 16, 2012 and herewith by the same inventor, the contents which are incorporated herein by reference in entirety. 
    
    
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     1. Field of the Invention 
     This invention pertains generally to cooking apparatus having drip segregating, receiving or directing with a subjacent receptacle. 
     2. Description of the Related Art 
     Throughout the ages, mankind has always required food for sustenance. As may be appreciated then, nearly every person who has walked the earth has had the need for food, and the desire to prepare the food in a safe and yet satisfying way. As may also then be expected, an enormous number of recipes and cooking techniques have evolved. The art of food preparation has progressed from meeting basic needs to an art that can both meet the basic need of sustenance and which can provide great pleasure to the senses. There has been a development of many different cuisines and many different food preparation techniques. Along with many different cuisines and techniques, there has been an equally substantial evolution in the cooking appliances and cookware that are used for the preparation. 
     During the cooking of many foods, various liquids may typically be released. Usually, the liquid will be a complex mixture of water, grease and other compounds. In addition, various liquids may also be added, such as oils, wine, gravies and many other compositions. As the liquid is released from the cooking food, it may also pick up seasonings or other ingredients that may be present. 
     The presence or absence of liquid within the cooking vessel will change the way the food cooks, and will also alter the resulting flavors and smells, depending upon a variety of factors, including the cooking temperature, cooking duration, the existence of seasonings or other additives, and so forth. Consequently, a chef will ordinarily want to exert much control over the contents of the cooking vessel, and may wish to vary the amounts of liquid contained therein, even during the cooking of a single food or dish. Once the cooking process is complete, and again depending upon the food or dish prepared, there may also be waste liquid that is generated which will not be served with the food. One common example is the grease-laden residue from the preparation of bacon. This grease is considered to be relatively unhealthy, and it may also carry relatively large quantities of salt and other compounds used to cure the bacon. In many kitchens then, this bacon grease is simply disposed of. 
     Many persons will dispose of the waste liquids by filling an empty container, such as an empty jar, can, juice concentrate container, or other convenient container. Unfortunately, these containers are almost always of relatively small diameter, meaning the cook must very carefully align the cookware with the small opening of the grease receptacle. Further, the grease will often flow along the edge of the pan, leading to an unpredictable and large area over which the grease will run. This means that more often than not, the cook will only get some portion of the waste cooking liquid into the container, and will spill the rest. In addition, when the liquid is being dispensed when hot, this can cause harm to cooking surfaces and floors, and potentially even to the cook. Any liquid that runs along the outer edge of the pan will need to be removed carefully if the cook is still preparing the dish, since the cookware will be immediately returned to the burner or heat source. Also, owing to the common small diameter and relatively greater height of most of these containers, they are easy to knock over and spill. This is particularly likely to happen when the cooking liquids do run along the outer surface of the cookware, because the natural instinct is to quickly lower the cookware onto the container. The cook may then accidentally knock the container over with the cookware. 
     A large number of devastating fires originate from accidental spills of oil and grease during food preparation. In addition, many persons are temporarily inconvenienced and, in some instances, seriously harmed while handling cooking fluids and grease. 
     Recognizing the hazards associated with this old and common way of disposing of waste cooking liquids, various artisans have proposed solutions. One way this problem is diminished is to provide cookware with specially designed pour spouts or surface drains that decrease the likelihood of spills or liquids running along the cookware exterior. Exemplary patents, the teachings and contents which are incorporated herein by reference, include: U.S. Pat. No. 1,447,813 by Patrick, entitled “Frying pan”; U.S. Pat. No. 2,157,303 by Penrose et al, entitled “Draining frying pan”; U.S. Pat. No. 2,175,333 by Wilson, entitled “Grease pan for grills”; U.S. Pat. No. 3,719,507 by Bardeau, entitled “Cooking Appliance”; U.S. Pat. No. 3,797,377 by Lotter et al, entitled “Tiltable Cooking Pan”; U.S. Pat. No. 3,847,068 by Beer et al, entitled “Fatless Frying Pan”; U.S. Pat. No. 3,964,378 by Dunkelman, entitled “Tilting frypan with drain system”; U.S. Pat. No. 4,352,324 by Noh, entitled “Frying pan with a removable grease catcher”; U.S. Pat. No. 5,967,024 by DeMars, entitled “Juice removal frying pan”; and Des 628,851 by Bergne, entitled “Frying pan”. While this cookware is a definite improvement over the prior art cookware, the grease receptacles remain a serious issue. 
     Other artisans have proposed cookware that is open to a drain conduit or other type of bottom drain, that feeds a receptacle. Exemplary patents, the teachings and contents which are incorporated herein by reference, include: U.S. Pat. No. 4,517,886 by Bales, entitled “Grease collection system for range”; U.S. Pat. No. 4,862,791 by Baughey, entitled “Microwave frying system”; U.S. Pat. No. 5,117,747 by Kuechler, entitled “Broiler for meat products and the like”; U.S. Pat. No. 7,059,318 by Cornfield, entitled “Multi-purpose stovetop grilling and cooking device”; and U.S. Pat. No. 7,523,697 by Hedrington, entitled “Tiltable cooking appliance”. These types of cookware work very well for the preparation of particular foods using particular techniques, often for foods such as french toast and bacon. However, since the cookware is continuously drained, the chef has no ability to control the liquid level, and instead is limited to relatively dry food preparation of only particular foods. 
     In a variation of the continuous draining cookware, some artisans have recognized the desirability of allowing the chef control over the timing of the draining of the liquid. One group of these include simple pans or cookware with drain valves. Exemplary patents and published applications, the teachings and contents which are incorporated herein by reference, include: U.S. Pat. No. 3,034,419 by Hillebrand et al, entitled “Combination cooking unit”; U.S. Pat. No. 5,467,696 by Everhart, entitled “Grease free skillet”; U.S. Pat. No. 7,421,942 by Hansen et al, entitled “Grease collection system for oven”; and WO 2005107543 A2 by Crawford et al, entitled “Cooker with latching drip tray for selectively opening and closing grease dispensing apertures in cooking pan”. 
     In a particular variant or extension of this concept, other artisans have proposed the use of tubes coming from a cooking receptacle to guide and funnel the cooking liquid and thereby facilitate the safe and selective draining therefrom. Exemplary patents and published applications, the teachings and contents which are incorporated herein by reference, include: U.S. Pat. No. 5,884,555 by Chang, entitled “Griddle structure”; U.S. Pat. No. 6,085,641 by De&#39;Longhi, entitled “Apparatus for frying food products”; and 2009/0277338 by Palmer, entitled “Cooking pan apparatus and system with integral cooking liquid drain, and method of use”. 
     Other artisans have proposed various improvements to the grease receptacle, providing vastly more safe and effective receptacles. Exemplary patents, the teachings and contents which are incorporated herein by reference, include: U.S. Pat. No. 6,355,168 by White, entitled “Cooking oil storage and filtering system”; U.S. Pat. No. 6,415,710 by Boone, entitled “Grease collection system”; U.S. Pat. No. 7,137,419 by Reeves, entitled “Used cooking oil processing apparatus”; U.S. Pat. No. 7,377,210 by Franco, entitled “Grease receiving and holding system”; U.S. Pat. No. 7,731,846 by Jones, entitled “Grease collection system”; and U.S. Pat. No. 8,016,150 by Bunch et al, entitled “Used cooking grease disposal and storage device”. With the notable exception of the Boone patent, these receptacles do not alleviate the deficiencies of pouring the liquid from the cookware, including the running of liquid along the cookware exterior surface. While Boone solves this, the Boone apparatus is undesirably limited to a single type and construction of cookware. 
     Other patents and published applications that show various liquid draining and handling systems, the teachings and contents which are incorporated herein by reference, include: U.S. Pat. No. 3,750,560 by Holmes, entitled “Deep Fat Fryer”; U.S. Pat. No. 4,230,574 by Whaley et al, entitled “Method for filtering frying oil”; U.S. Pat. No. 4,324,173 by Moore et al, entitled “Filter system for frying apparatus”; U.S. Pat. No. 4,420,006 by Moore et al, entitled “Spray cleaning system for frying apparatus”; U.S. Pat. No. 4,899,649 by Grob et al, entitled “Deep fat frying apparatus having an improved cooking fluid filtration system”; U.S. Pat. No. 4,974,501 by Grob et al, entitled “Deep fat frying apparatus with improved under-fryer cooking liquid pumping and filtration system”; U.S. Pat. No. 5,576,047 by Margolis, entitled “Method to produce a cooked, low fat ground meat product”; U.S. Pat. No. 5,584,236 by Margolis, entitled “Fat removal draining system and method”; U.S. Pat. No. 5,617,777 by Davis et al, entitled “Deep fat frying apparatus with automated oil management”; U.S. Pat. No. 5,652,012 by Margolis, entitled “Method for producing a low fat meat product”; U.S. Pat. No. 5,750,182 by Margolis et al, entitled “Method for producing a low fat meat product”; U.S. Pat. No. 5,837,310 by Margolis et al, entitled “Method to produce a cooked low fat ground meat product”; U.S. Pat. No. 5,942,269 by Casey et al, entitled “Method for manipulating cooking medium during cooking operations”; U.S. Pat. No. 6,009,794 by Casey et al, entitled “Cooking medium management system”; U.S. Pat. No. 6,367,372 by Chikazawa et al, entitled “Valve opening/closing device of a fryer”; U.S. Pat. No. 6,368,648 by Bertram et al, entitled “Adsorbent filtration system for treating used cooking oil or fat in frying operations”; U.S. Pat. No. 6,378,420 by Savage et al, entitled “Filter system for a deep fat fryer”; U.S. Pat. No. 7,311,038 by Savage et al, entitled “Filter system for a deep fat fryer”; Re 36,173 by Margolis, entitled “Method to produce a cooked, low fat ground meat product”; and 2010/0175408 A1 by Korda, entitled “Leak free semi-stackable drain pan”. 
     Other patents for which the teachings and contents are incorporated herein by reference include: U.S. Pat. No. 5,850,779 by Zimmerman, entitled “Pan tilting apparatus”; U.S. Pat. No. 5,927,142 by Mercer, entitled “System and method for determining drain pan fluid level”; and U.S. Pat. No. 6,439,110 by Lin, entitled “Frying pan”. In addition to the foregoing patents, Webster&#39;s New Universal Unabridged Dictionary, Second Edition copyright 1983, is incorporated herein by reference in entirety for the definitions of words and terms used herein. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     In a first manifestation, the invention is a counter-top grease collector receptacle that is co-operative with a cooking vessel to provide a convenient, safe and more effective way of collecting and disposing of cooking fluids and grease. A receptacle has an interior that is adapted to operatively receive and contain fluids drained from the cooking vessel. An oil drain stem is adapted to operatively removably couple the cooking vessel to the receptacle. A cover defines a cooking vessel support and is cooperative with the cooking vessel support and receptacle to enclose and conceal the receptacle interior. The receptacle is located beneath the cooking vessel support to enable gravity transfer of fluids from cooking vessel to receptacle. In further manifestations, a valve may be provided in the oil drain stem, and the oil drain stem may be located adjacent to a bottom of the cooking vessel. A sloped surface may be provided for the cooking vessel to rest upon, and a mechanism or wedge may be provided to control the angle. Two or more posts may extend substantially vertically against which the cooking vessel will rest. The posts may either be fixed, or may be provided with spring arms scissoring the posts such that posts can be spread apart and nestle the cooking vessel when the vessel is coupled with the grease collector receptacle. The posts or ledge may further optionally be provided with a plurality of barbs or other feature to help to retain and secure the cooking vessel against vertical movement when in contact with the posts or vertical ledge. A disposable liner may be provided that withstands hot oils within receptacle. An auxiliary funnel inlet may also be provided above the receptacle. 
     In a second manifestation, the invention is, in combination, a cooking vessel and a grease collector receptacle. The cooking vessel has a fluid drain stem, and the counter-top grease collector receptacle has a cooking fluid receptacle and an oil drain stem inlet for receiving cooking fluid from the cooking vessel into the cooking fluid receptacle. 
     In a third manifestation, the invention is a method of safely and conveniently draining a cooking vessel. According to the method, a food is inserted into the cooking vessel. Heat is applied to the cooking vessel over a cooking burner and responsive thereto, liquid is released from the food. The cooking vessel is removed from the cooking burner, and then coupled from an interior of the cooking vessel through an oil drain stem to an interior of a counter-top grease collector, while simultaneously resting the cooking vessel upon an exterior of the counter-top grease collector. Released liquid is then allowed to drain through the oil drain stem before the cooking vessel is removed. 
     OBJECTS OF THE INVENTION 
     Exemplary embodiments of the present invention solve inadequacies of the prior art by providing a counter-top grease collector receptacle that is co-operative with a variety of cooking apparatus to provide a convenient, safe and more effective way of collecting and disposing of cooking fluids and grease. 
     A first object of the invention is to enable a cooking vessel to be safely and selectively drained of liquids. A second object of the invention is to provide a receptacle for such drained liquids that is safe and secure upon a counter-top or other work surface. Another object of the present invention is to provide a waste receptacle that conceals the waste liquids and yet which is safely and easily emptied. A further object of the invention is to enable a cook to view the level of waste liquid held therein, while not otherwise exposing the waste liquid to view. Yet another object of the present invention is to provide the foregoing in a counter-top grease collector receptacle that is simple to construct, intuitive to use, and which can be readily fashionably decorated. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       The foregoing and other objects, advantages, and novel features of the present invention can be understood and appreciated by reference to the following detailed description of the invention, taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which: 
         FIG. 1  illustrates a preferred embodiment counter-top grease collector receptacle designed in accord with the teachings of the present invention in combination with a preferred cooking vessel from a side elevational view. 
         FIG. 2  illustrates the preferred embodiment counter-top grease collector receptacle in combination with the preferred cooking vessel of  FIG. 1  from a vertical plane sectional view taken along line  2 ′ of  FIG. 1 . 
         FIG. 3  illustrates an alternative embodiment counter-top grease collector receptacle in combination with a preferred cooking vessel from a vertical plane sectional view similar to that of  FIG. 2 . 
         FIG. 4  illustrates the preferred embodiment counter-top grease collector receptacle in combination with the preferred cooking vessel of  FIG. 1  from a top plan view. 
         FIG. 5  illustrates an alternative embodiment counter-top grease collector receptacle in combination with a preferred cooking vessel from a from a partially sectioned top plan view. 
         FIG. 6  illustrates a preferred post used in the alternative embodiment counter-top grease collector receptacle of  FIG. 5  from an enlarged side view. 
     
    
    
     DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT 
     Manifested in the preferred embodiment, the present invention provides a counter-top grease collector receptacle that is co-operative with a variety of cooking apparatus to provide a convenient, safe and more effective way of collecting and disposing of cooking fluids and grease. In a preferred embodiment of the invention illustrated in  FIG. 1 , a most preferred cooking vessel  40 , such as a fry pan or cooking pot, is operatively engaged with a preferred counter-top grease collector receptacle  5 . An oil drain stem  22  is provided to couple between cooking vessel  40  and counter-top grease collector receptacle  5 . While oil drain stem  22  could be located at any desired position, the stem preferably passes through a side wall of cooking vessel  40 . This allows cooking vessel  40  to be tilted for improved liquid drainage, without risking spilling the liquid from cooking vessel  40  when first placing cooking vessel  40  onto counter-top grease collector receptacle  5 . Oil drain stem  22  may be provided as a part of cooking vessel  40 , such as illustrate and incorporated herein above by reference in US patents and published applications U.S. Pat. No. 5,884,555 by Chang; U.S. Pat. No. 6,085,641 by De&#39;Longhi; and 2009/0277338 by Palmer. 
     In an alternative embodiment, oil drain stem  22  can be provided as a part of counter-top grease collector receptacle  5 . Oil drain stem  22  will preferably pass through or alternatively define an inlet into grease collector receptacle  5 . In this alternative, cooking vessel  40  will preferably include a valve or other suitable fitting or closure to which oil drain stem  22  can easily be coupled. A variety of cookware with valves are incorporated herein above by reference in US patents and published applications U.S. Pat. No. 3,034,419 by Hillebrand et al; U.S. Pat. No. 5,467,696 by Everhart; U.S. Pat. No. 7,421,942 by Hansen et; and WO 2005107543 by Crawford et al. While these aforementioned patents are considered exemplary, other suitable valves are known in the more general art of valves, and such knowledge is further considered incorporated herein for the teachings of alternative valves and couplings that may be used for the coupling between grease collector receptacle  5  and cooking vessel  40 . Most preferably, oil drain stem  22  will also preferably engage with so-equipped cooking vessels  40 , and where a valve or drain stem is provided thereon, most preferably the valve or drain stem will open as a result of the engagement. While many such techniques will become apparent after a reading of the present disclosure, for exemplary purposes only and not limiting the present invention solely thereto, a spring-loaded or resilient flap valve and seal may be provided at the vessel drain. When inserted into the oil drain stem inlet, a centrally protruding wire or equivalent may press against the flap valve, overcoming the spring or resilient forces, to thereby open the flap valve to allow the vessel contents to drain. 
     As illustrated in  FIGS. 1-3 , oil drain stem  22  is located adjacent to the bottom of cooking vessel  40 . This allows the most complete draining of cooking vessel  40 . Nevertheless, and as is apparent, without other structure and if oil drain stem  22  is simply an open tube, then liquids within cooking vessel  40  will undesirably drain during cooking. Consequently, to locate oil drain stem  22  adjacent to the bottom of cooking vessel  40 , oil drain stem  22  will preferably have incorporated therein a valve which can be actuated either manually or preferably through engagement with the receptacle. Alternatively, or in further combination with a valve, a sufficient height differential between the outlet from the valve and the bottom of cooking vessel  40  will allow a cook to move cooking vessel  40  into engagement with grease collector receptacle  5  without spilling or splashing hot cooking fluids. This height differential might for exemplary purposes take the form of a tea pot pour spout or the like. 
     Alternatively, oil drain stem  22  might comprise a flexible tube such as illustrated in U.S. Pat. No. 5,884,555 by Chang and U.S. Pat. No. 6,085,641 by De&#39;Longhi incorporated by reference herein above. In such case, the stem might be deformed by the cook to elevate during cooking, and lower for grease removal. 
     In a further alternative, oil drain stem  22  may also be provided as a separate component. As may be apparent then, the present invention offers much flexibility in the coupling and engagement with both prior art cookware and cookware specifically designed to cooperate with grease collector receptacle  5 . 
     In the preferred embodiment, where a coupling occurs between oil drain stem  22 , grease collector receptacle  5  and cooking vessel  40 , this coupling at least to some degree further serves to assist in retaining or securing cooking vessel  40  to grease collector receptacle  5 . This aids in the safe use of the present invention, since accidental bumping or disturbing of a cooking vessel  40  resting upon counter-top grease collector receptacle  5  will normally not result in hazardous spills. 
     To better facilitate draining of cooking vessel  40 , a sloped surface may be provided for the cooking vessel to rest upon. In the preferred embodiment, the particular mechanism to control the angle is not critical to the operation of the present invention, and so may incorporate any of the myriad of apparatus found in the art of joints, supports and couplers. For exemplary purposes only, and not limiting the present invention thereto, one or a few strategically placed vertical-axis screws or bolts  24  are used to tilt cooking vessel  40  relative to underlying counter-top grease collector receptacle  5 . Such screws  24  are contemplated herein to be adjustable and may for exemplary purposes be similar in construction and operation to the well-known leveling bolts found under refrigerators and other large appliances. A hinge  28  may also be provided, to allow vertical ledge  27  to move with adjustment of screws  24 . 
     In an alternative embodiment counter-top grease collector receptacle  6  illustrated in  FIG. 3 , a wedge  26  provides a way to increase or control the slope of a pan or other cooking vessel  40  resting on counter-top grease collector receptacle  6 . 
     As visible in the Figures, cooking vessel  40  may preferably rest against a substantially vertical ledge  27  that serves as a stop into which cooking vessel  40  may nest or rest. This vertical ledge  27  may be a straight ledge as illustrated in  FIGS. 2 and 4 , or may in an alternative embodiment be a continuous ledge having a gentle arc or large diameter radius when viewed from a top view. In another alternative embodiment illustrated in  FIG. 5 , vertical ledge  27  may be replaced by two or more posts  29  that extend substantially vertically against which cooking vessel  40  will rest. The provision of a plurality of posts  29  helps to ensure that, regardless of the diameter of cooking vessel  40 , the cooking vessel nestles securely therein. Posts  29  may either be fixed, or may be provided with arms  35  scissoring through spring  33  such that posts  29  can be spread apart within slots  37  and nestle cooking vessel  40  when the vessel is coupled with grease collector receptacle  5 . 
     These posts or ledge may further optionally be provided with a plurality of “fish scales” or “shingles”, barbs, a sawtooth surface, or other feature  31  to help to retain and secure the cooking vessel against vertical movement when in contact with the posts  29  or vertical ledge  27 . In addition, where vertical ledge  27  is used, it may have a slight undercut  25  adjacent to oil drain stem  22 , such that oil drain stem  22  will slip under this slight undercut  25 . Once again, by providing this undercut ledge, or a suitable strap over oil drain stem  22  in the case of posts  29 , cooking vessel  40  may be further secured against accidental dislodging from counter-top grease collector receptacles  5 ,  6 . As is apparent, any other suitable means may be provided to secure or fasten cooking vessel  40  to counter-top grease collector receptacles  5 ,  6  as may be desired. 
     Beneath cooking vessel  40  is a receptacle  10  that receives and contains fluids drained from cooking vessel  40 . The exact shape and geometry of receptacle  10  is not critical to proper operation of the invention, though receptacle  10  will preferably be of sufficient capacity to receive at least the contents of one cooking vessel, and preferably from many cooking vessels. By sufficiently sizing receptacle  10 , oil and grease can be collected for some time prior to requiring receptacle  10  to be emptied. By allowing for adequate storage capacity, hot cooking fluids may be allowed to stand and cool, and in some cases even congeal or solidify, depending upon the fluid. While not separately illustrated, it will be understood that a filter may be provided between an outlet from oil drain stem  22  and receptacle  10 , and may take any suitable geometry. Suitable filters are illustrated in the patents incorporated herein above and are also known in the art generally. 
     A disposable liner  11  that withstands hot oils is preferably provided, to receive the cooking fluid hot from cooking vessel  40 . Disposable liner  11  may be fabricated from a thin film of heat-resistant plastic capable of withstanding relatively high temperatures such as may be achieved during cooking, which at times may approach or even exceed 400 degrees Fahrenheit. In this case, the hot cooking fluids may be allowed to cool in the counter-top grease collector receptacle, and then the bag may be closed such as with a knot, bag tie or the like to prevent accidental release of the waste fluid. The fluid may then be disposed of by closing disposable liner  11  and removing disposable liner  11  from receptacle  10 . In this way, handling and clean-up is minimized, and a sanitary receptacle  10  is maintained simply by placing a new disposable liner  11  therein. 
     In an alternative embodiment, disposable liner  11  may comprise a treated material such as a paperboard, cardboard, or other fibrous, heat-resistant material. The treatment may be an ordinary plastic such as is commonly used in paper and paperboard manufacture, or may alternatively comprise a high temperature filler and bonding agent including but not limited to clay, silica, various thermosetting resins and glues, and other suitable materials. The purpose of the treatment is to remove or greatly reduce any porosity in the fibrous material. The fibers provide structural integrity even when exposed to temperatures higher than will be found in cooking fluids, while the treatment ensures a fluid holding capacity with minimal or no seepage there through. With the structural integrity provided by the fibrous material such as paper or paperboard, a filler such as plastic or resin that softens at or below the temperature of hot cooking fluids will still prevent fluid seepage. The fibers will maintain structural integrity even if the plastic softens. Where paperboard or the like is used as a liner, it is further contemplated herein that there also be provided a mating cover that can close and most preferably reasonably seal disposable liner  11  in preparation for disposal. Other suitable heat resistant materials may also be used to fabricate disposable liner  11 , including aluminum foil for exemplary purposes, and the present invention is not solely limited to individual particular materials. 
     Latches  14  prevent lid  20  from separating from receptacle  10  accidentally or unintentionally, but allow lid  20  to be intentionally removed. In an alternative embodiment, receptacle  10  may comprise a pull-out drawer rather than an open-topped box. In such case, latches  14  may be unnecessary. 
     As is apparent from the Figures, lid  20  may preferably contain various other apparatus, such as sight glass  32 , oil drain stem  22 , oil level stem  34 , auxiliary funnel  30 , and wedge  26 . While a sight glass  32  and oil level stem  34  each illustrate optional methods for detecting or observing waste oil levels within receptacle  10 , any suitable technique for signaling or alarming a cook of levels is contemplated herein. 
     With lid  20  removed, disposable liner  11  is readily accessible. Once waste fluid is cooled, disposable liner  11  may be safely removed and disposed of through recycling, including re-purposing such as for production of bio-diesel or the like, or appropriate waste disposal. 
     The preferred embodiment counter-top grease collector receptacle provides several ways of receiving cooking fluids and grease, to accommodate the wide assortment of cooking vessels found in most kitchens. In consideration thereof, the preferred embodiment counter-top grease receptacle comprises an auxiliary funnel  30  inlet above receptacle  10 , but displaced horizontally from wedge  26  and vertical ledge  27 . Funnel  30  will preferably be of sufficient size and geometry to readily receive fluids from cooking vessels that are not equipped with drains or valves. These cooking vessels instead must be manually held and tilted to drain the fluids. Funnel  30  as illustrated in the Figures is a basic funnel. However, it will be understood herein that any suitable funnel structure or geometry may be used, including geometries that reduce the potential for splash or geometries that are molded or formed directly into lid  20 . 
     Oil level stem  34  for revealing oil level is also preferably provided, and again may take many forms. This stem may adjacent the exterior of the receptacle, but in the preferred embodiment is more centrally located in the vicinity of oil drain stem  22 . This location allows a cook to view the level prior to draining a cooking vessel  40  and subsequent thereto, without having to look in a different place or direction. To further facilitate viewing the level, a sight glass  32  or the like may be provided that can also facilitate viewing of oil drain stem  22 . 
     To further enhance the safety of grease collector receptacles  5 ,  6 , grease collector receptacles  5 ,  6  will preferably have sufficient mass to stay put upon a counter-top or the like. To further hold grease collector receptacles  5 ,  6  in place, the base  16  may be coated with non-slip coatings or materials, or may be provided with feet having a strong non-slip characteristic. 
     For aesthetic purposes, a plurality of diverse coverings, wrappers, or skins may be provided in conjunction with the preferred and alternative embodiment grease collector receptacles, such that one basic model grease collector receptacle may be manufactured, for exemplary purposes in a most common and preferred finish such as stainless steel, chrome plate, or white. To match a grease collector receptacle  5 ,  6  to a particular kitchen or to provide designer touches, a wrap designed to wrap the grease collector receptacle vertical side walls may then have a different color, pattern or finish. The wrap may be a simple rectangular strip, terminated at each end with mating fasteners such as Velcro™, magnets or any of the other diverse suitable fasteners. Cut-outs may be provided in the wrap to avoid interference with the latches and carrying handles, and any other obstacles. 
     Since in many instances a grease collector receptacle will need to be moved about, at least on occasion, carrying handles  12  or the equivalent are provided in the preferred embodiment. These carrying handles  12  should not be used when waste fluids are hot, but do allow a person to move a grease collector receptacle  5 ,  6  about while avoiding contact with the receptacle  10 , and with less chance of losing grasp and dropping the grease collector receptacle. 
     In accord with a preferred method of safely and conveniently cooking with cooking vessel  40 , including draining cooking vessel  40 , a chef will insert a food into cooking vessel  40 . The chef will then apply heat to cooking vessel  40  over a suitable cooking burner, which may include an electric burner, a gas burner, or any other suitable heat source. Responsive to the heating, liquid will be released from the food which will typically include water, juices, and grease. Next, cooking vessel  40  will be removed from the cooking burner, and then be coupled from an interior of cooking vessel  40  through oil drain stem  22  to interior  10  of counter-top grease collector  5 , while simultaneously resting cooking vessel  40  upon cover  20  of counter-top grease collector  5 . The released liquid is then allowed to drain through oil drain stem  22 . The cooking vessel may then be returned to the cooking burner, or alternatively cleaned or otherwise used or handled. 
     From the foregoing figures and description, several additional features and options become more apparent. First of all, a preferred grease collector receptacle  5 ,  6  in accord may be manufactured in accord with the teachings of the present invention from a variety of materials, including but not limited to wood, metals, resins and plastics, ceramics or cementitious materials, or even laminates, combinations or composites of the above. The specific material used may vary, though special benefits are attainable if several important factors are taken into consideration. First, the materials will preferably withstand both temperature and oils and liquids associated with cooking fluids. Furthermore, it is preferable that all materials are sufficiently tough and durable to not fracture, even when great forces are applied thereto, to prevent accidental spillage of the contents. 
     While the foregoing details what is felt to be the preferred embodiment of the invention, no material limitations to the scope of the claimed invention are intended. Further, features and design alternatives that would be obvious to one of ordinary skill in the art are considered to be incorporated herein. The scope of the invention is set forth and particularly described in the claims herein below.