7 Best Oil Drain Pans for Easy Oil Change Cleanup

It’s not exactly a product on the top of a person’s wish list but a decent oil drain pan makes the oil change process of capturing and recycling or disposing of old oil much easier.

The best oil drain pan will be large enough to tackle the biggest vehicle you own, and is built with a way to easily empty the pan when the oil change is complete.

It has to be rugged enough to handle when full of oil, and durable enough to endure repeated usage (including the cap). Durability is the biggest issue when it comes to most oil change pans so don’t just get the first container you see at Walmart.

Before buying any oil drain pan, check your owner’s manual to make sure you’re ordering a pan that’s large enough. If you plan on changing the oil in more than one vehicle or draining coolant, look for an oil drain container that has extra capacity. 

Related: DIY Oil Change vs Shop/Dealership

Our 7 Favorite Oil Change Pans

	Product	Capacity	Dimensions (L x W x H)	Weight
	Capri Tools CP21023	18 quarts	23 x 19 x 6	2.5 lbs
	FloTool 42003MI	16 quarts	20 x 17 x 6	2.5 lbs
	Neiko 20762A	8 quarts	16 x 13 x 5	1.3 lbs
	Chapin 78005	12 quarts	15 x 15 x 5	4.3 lbs
	FloTool 42008MI	58 quarts	38 x 27 x 10	14 lbs
	Funnel King 32953	16 quarts	18 x 18 x 6	1.7 lbs
	Groz 41966	15 quarts	18 x 16 x 5	2.7 lbs

#2 – FloTool 42003MI (16-Quart) Drain Container

If you are in search of a closed-style drain container that is capable of being stored in a variety of ways, then the FloTool 16-quart oil drain container is likely to be exactly what you’re looking for.

Made in the USA, FloTool’s enclosed drain pan works great in almost any application. Unlike others, it can be stored upright due to its use of “leak-proof” caps.

Though the FloTool 42003MI is advertised to be completely leak-proof, some consumers have reported a slight amount of waste oil leakage, with time. Like other closed-style drain pans, it uses a plastic cap on plastic threads. This unfortunately means the threads will start to strip at some point.

While this might be somewhat aggravating, one can simply place a piece of cardboard beneath their drain pan between uses as simple insurance.

>> Check current price <<

#3 – Neiko 20762A (8-Quart) Oil Drain Pan

The Neiko anti-splash oil drain pan should be ideal for any motorist who drives a vehicle with a moderate oil capacity. This drain pan is capable of holding up to 2-gallons of oil at any one given time, making it perfect for use with a significant percentage of today’s vehicles.

Built very similar to the larger Capri Tools container above (just in a smaller size), the Neiko drain pan features heavy-duty construction, easy-grip handles for increased portability, and an anti-splash lip. But it also has the square-shaped spout which makes transferring fluids into an empty container a bit more difficult that it should be.

While the Neiko pan features a large enough capacity to be quite versatile, it might not be well suited for use in multiple vehicle households or when servicing some diesel-powered vehicles. However, this drain pan will prove more than adequate for use with most any other type of vehicle.

>> Check current price <<

#4 – Chapin 78005 Low Profile (12-Quart) Oil Drain Container

This low-profile drip pan is a reminder that buying American-made isn’t always just a matter of national pride. Made of 80 percent recycled polymer plastic, the tank is perfect for oil, coolant, or other liquids. It takes up a mere 4.625 inches of clearance and is 14.75 inches long, making it easy to work on low-lying frames such as ATVs and motorcycles.

The drain pan has a large target area to reduce spills and splashes, and built-in handles make carrying easy. Meanwhile, the three caps feature secure O-ring seals, making leaks a thing of the past. One of the three caps is for a vent hole, allowing for hassle-free pouring. Best of all, the pan can be stored upright, taking up minimal space.

The low profile is what really sets this pan apart from the competition. It’s sturdy and seals extremely well. Drainage into the container runs at a good pace with the vent cover open, but may be a little slow for some vehicles with a fast drain rate.

Perhaps the only real complaint about this pan is that the handles are at the top instead of along the sides. While this does make transportation easier, it can make pouring into smaller containers a bit more difficult. Also, since the drip pan is on the side of the container, a few have complained about the inevitable wipe-down before storing.

>> Check current price <<

#5 – FloTool 42008MI Hopkins (58-Quart) Drain Pan

The FloTool 42008MI Hopkins drain pan is perfect for the neighborhood mechanic, who often finds themselves changing the oil on multiple vehicles in a given week. Whether working out of a garage, a commercial shop, or as a mobile oil change service, an extra large drain pain like this is invaluable.

This drain pan is capable of holding 58 quarts of oil, making it ideally suited for frequent use, even when repetitive draining is impractical. The FloTool pan is also designed to achieve enhanced structural integrity and includes a total of four molded handles.

As you can imagine, moving around that much oil is no joke. The container itself weighs 14 pounds and then you add 50+ quarts of oil, you’re looking at well over 100 pounds. Fortunately, the built-in wheels make transport a breeze.

Due to its rather large size (38″ x 27″ x 10″), the FloTool 42008MI is not ideally suited to use beneath vehicles with minimal ground clearance. However, when raised via a quality set of garage ramps, these same vehicles can be serviced with ease.

>> Check current price <<

#6 – Funnel King 32953 (16-Quart) Drain Pan

This four gallon capacity drain pan is made from heavy duty polyethylene to ensure high chemical resistance while also being easy to clean. The interior has a diameter of 17 ¾ inches and a depth of 5 ½ inches and includes a splash guard lip to further reduce spills when pouring.

EZ Grip handles and a one-inch diameter spout make emptying the pan easy. Meanwhile, the outer lip makes it easy to grab the pan and move it even when full.

One of the great things about this pan is its bowl-shape, which provides low clearance while also making splashes almost impossible during even fast drains. The material is quite durable and thick enough to remove any flex while still being lightweight.

While the pan generally does a good job, the angle of the spout may prove difficult for some people to fully empty without spillage. This isn’t a huge deal with a little extra time and patience, but may be a dealbreaker for those with less steady hands.

>> Check current price <<

#7 – Groz 41966 (15-Quart) Drain Pan

Made of high density polyethylene, this rugged container is designed for heavy use. A large eight-inch side opening with catch-all basket allows oil to pour splash-free into the reservoir while capturing any screws or other small parts that attempt to escape with the oil. The opening is easily sealed by a screw cap with an O-ring seal.

The top of the container has a handle and spout similar to that of a jerry can, along with a vent cap at the opposite end of the pour cap. Another handle on the bottom allows you to safely lift the container while on its side. A set of wheels round out the mobility features.

For the most part, this is a well-loved drain pan. Its overall design is often touted as addressing every concern one could have. One of the most popular features is the catch-all plastic mesh, which allows one to set the filter down to drain as well as catching any parts that fall onto the pan.

That said, there’s some debate on whether the side opening is large enough, with the opposing camps equally sure of their assessment. Also, there have been several complaints of the side cap leaking, although (once again) there are also plenty who claim it seals perfectly. We’ve noticed no issues, so it’s possible the complaints are due either to user error or a batch of faulty seals.

See Also: What’s That Leak? (Automotive Fluid Colors)

>> Check current price <<

What Capacity Will I Need?

Oil drain pans come in a wide array of capacities. The exact capacity that you will need when purchasing such a product is largely dependent upon the total oil capacity of your particular vehicle, as well as how often you wish to empty the pan itself.

The engine oil capacity of today’s vehicles is extremely wide-ranging. Many compact, four-cylinder cars have oil capacities of as little as 4 quarts. On the other hand, a significant number of truck, heavy-duty, and high-performance gasoline engines hold as much as 8-9 quarts of oil.

At the upper end of the oil capacity spectrum are diesel engines, which quite often feature oil capacities in excess of 10 quarts.

Before purchasing an oil pan of any type, it is important to consider how much capacity is needed to contain the amount of oil that is to be drained from your vehicle during service. 

A 10-quart oil pan will serve as nothing but an aggravation when attempting to change the oil on a Powerstroke-equipped Ford truck, with an oil capacity of 15 quarts. However, an oil pan of this size might prove more than ample for a late model, four-cylinder Toyota Camry, which holds nearly 5 quarts of oil.

Open vs Closed Style (Which is Better?)

Oil drain pans are offered in both open and closed styles, each of which offers its own distinct advantages. The following will explain these advantages, as well as few disadvantages, of each type of drain pan.

Open-Style

Open style drain pans are extremely popular among consumers, largely because of their simplicity. Drain pans of this nature consist of a large dished design, with an attached spout.

Oil is drained directly into the open top of these pans and is later discarded through the assembly’s spout. Open-style drain pans present little splatter while in use and can be cleaned with relative ease.

On the other side of the coin, recovering a drain plug from an open drain pan typically involves dunking your hand in wrist-deep waste oil. Additionally, some spillage can occur when attempting to empty an open-style drain pan, due to the fact that there is nothing to prevent overflow around its edges.

Closed-Style

Closed style drain pans feature a shallow catch basin, with a larger storage reservoir contained below. As oil drains into the pan, it runs through a small centrally located hole, where it is deposited into this reservoir.

Drain pans of this type also feature an attached spout, that can be covered with a threaded cap. Most closed style drain pans also come with a plug that covers the catch basin’s drain hole when not in use. This minimizes the chance of inadvertent spillage.

Some consumers find that closed drain pans present more splatter than their open-style companions, and often overflow if their drain hole becomes clogged. Additionally, the caps and plugs associated with a closed-style drain pan are also prone to stripping, due to their plastic composition.

The Verdict

It is difficult to beat the simplicity of an adequately sized, open-style drain pan. Pans of this nature can be used in almost any application, and will not overflow unless filled past their capacity.

There is also no reason to worry about stripped plugs and caps when using a closed-style drain pan, as few such pans feature apparatuses of this type.

What Should I Do With My Used Motor Oil? 

Used motor oil should always be disposed of in an approved manner. This typically involves taking any oil of this type to an approved disposal center, where it will be discarded in compliance with waste oil laws.

Waste oil can be poured from a catch pan into an empty milk jug or oil container prior to disposal, in a bid to simplify transport. For for information, see: How to Dispose of Used Motor Oil