The Viral Lawn Mower Tip You Need For An Easier Time Pouring Engine Oil

If you already know how to pick the right oil for your lawn mower and where to add it, you would think you're ready to get started. But while you may be able to dump the oil in and get back to your mowing, you might be making a small mistake that makes the process much more tedious than it needs to be. If your oil pouring seems difficult, spills everywhere, or requires a funnel, then you may be pouring your oil incorrectly. The issue is that if you hold your oil container the wrong way while pouring, the oil will come out in a messy, inconsistent stream. Luckily, it is incredibly easy to solve the issue by simply flipping the container around to pour.

Many smaller oil containers, such as those around 32 ounces or less, have a distinctive shape. Rather than being symmetrical, the spout is set to one side, and the other side has a slight angle leading to the spout. For many people, the bulkier side without the spout feels like a handle, so they naturally hold that side and pour with the bulkier side up. However, you will get a smoother pour by holding the container on the spout side so that the bulkier side faces down as you pour and the spout is on top. 

If you're wondering how much of a difference this can really make, then learning the reason it works may reassure you and help you figure out if you can use this hack in other pouring situations around your home.

When you pour oil or any other liquid out of a container, air enters the spout and fills the space where the liquid used to be. Before the air enters, the pressure inside the container changes and a small vacuum is created. When the air travels through the liquid as it enters the container, it causes bubbling and movement within the bottle that can disrupt the pour. Pouring with the bulkier side down creates more space in the opening for air to enter because the liquid is in the larger part of the bottle. The path for the air to fill the container is more direct, giving you a smoother, cleaner pour. 

If you're still doubting the effectiveness, check your oil container. Some containers have small icons showing how to pour the oil using this method. While enjoying implementing this simple and satisfying hack, be careful not to pour too much oil into your engine. If you do find yourself with an overfilled mower, an empty soap bottle might be the easiest fix. 

Now that you know how the hack works, you can also try it out with other containers around your home, such as juice, cooking oil, and anything else that you are tired of spilling as you pour. In particular, you might want to try it out when pouring a cleaning solution so that you can clean your lawn mower from top to bottom and remove all of the oil you previously spilled while pouring incorrectly.