How to Store Cooking Oil?
Cooking oil can last for a long time if it is properly stored. This blog will tell you how to store cooking oil, including information on the kind of containers to use, where and how to keep the oil, and the length of time you can expect the oil to stay good.
In addition to elucidating cooking oil storing tips, this blog will also tell you how to figure out if your cooking oil has gone bad.
1. When you are not using the oil, make sure to keep the cap or lid on the oil bottle. Exposure to too much oxygen is one of the main causes of oil turning fetid. It is advisable to stock the oil in a dark-colored glass bottle with a close-fitting cap. A dark-colored bottle will keep sunlight from degrading the quality of the oil. In order to prevent spillage, use a funnel to guide the oil into a smaller handier bottle.
Since plastic tends to percolate chemicals over time, it is best to avoid using plastic bottles to prevent deterioration in the taste and quality of the oil. It is unsafe to use iron or copper containers to store oils since these metals initiate a chemical reaction in the oil and make it unsafe to use.
When the oil you buy comes in a large and heavy container, it is advisable to transfer some of it into a smaller container, preferably a dark colored glass bottle that makes it easier to pour.
2. It is best to be familiar with the types of oils that can be stored at room temperature. Refined peanut oil lasts for about two years. Vegetable oil, on the other hand, can hold its nutrients together for a year or longer as long as it is tightly covered.
Since frequent temperature changes cause the oil to deteriorate, it is important to store the oil in a cool, dark cupboard or pantry and not anywhere near a stove. It is crucial to know which kinds of oils are best stored in the fridge, since some oils will turn rancid if they are not kept in a cool place.
Refrigeration results in most oils turning thick and cloudy. Owing to this, you would require to fetch the oil a couple of hours before you intend to use it, allow it to remain at room temperature, letting the oil return to its usual evenness.
Certain oils can be stored at either room temperature or in the refrigerator. In most cases, however, refrigeration extends the shelf life of the oil. Even if the oil can be kept at room temperature, it is best to avoid keeping it in the following places: windowsills; the back ledge, cabinet or next to a stove; on the counter; next to a refrigerator; near cooking appliances such as kettles, waffle makers and toasters.
3. It is important to be mindful that oils typically stay usable for a short duration only. There are two types of oil: refined and unrefined. Refined oils are processed oils that have scarcely any taste or nutritive worth and will usually last for 6 to 12 months if stored in a cool place.
Unrefined oils, on the other hand are purer, and full of nutrients, and last for anywhere between 3 to 6 months if stored in a cool, dark cupboard. It is effective to smell or sniff the oil every few months. If it has a slight odor like that of wine, the oil has gone bad. And cannot be used. Consider the taste of the oil. If it has a metallic taste, say a little like wine, or just bad to your reckoning, it has likely turned rancid or oxidized. If an oil goes bad, it could be useful to take note of how it was stored before it went bad.
This would help you figure out the reason, avoid making the same mistake when storing the next bottle of oil. While disposing, do not pour the oil down the drain. This is because if the oil is usually solid at room temperature, it will result in a clogged drain. The best option while getting rid of used oil is to pour it into a leak-proof container, such as a jar or zippered plastic bag, and then to throw the container into the trash can.
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