Cooking oil is one of those indispensable items in the kitchen, used just about everywhere from frying to baking. How often do you ever really think about the ways in which you store your cooking oil? Usually, people would just leave it on the countertop or stuff it into a cabinet without a second thought. This practice is very significant in maintaining the quality, flavour, and safety of the oil. If oil is stored improperly, it becomes rancid and leads to off-flavours that could possibly give way to health issues. If you wish to keep your cooking oil fresh and work efficiently, here are six ways to do so for your cooking oil to be in the best condition possible.
Choose the Right Container
The container where you store your cooking oil plays a major role in the lifespan of the oil. Package the oil in a dark glass bottle or a stainless steel container to block out the light, which can hasten the oxidation process and lead to rancidity. Clear glass bottles may be attractive but they allow light through, which will shorten the shelf life of the oil. If you purchase oil in a clear bottle, transfer it to a darker container once you get home.
Keep It Away from Heat
Heat is another nemesis of cooking oil. Yes, it may be very convenient to keep your oil near the stove or in a cabinet above the oven, but it is not desirable. Heat speeds up the degrading process, and therefore your oil will spoil sooner than it needs to. Store your cooking oil in a cool and dark place, like a pantry or a lower cabinet in the kitchen, where temperature oscillations barely reach.
Seal Tightly After Each Use
Cooking oil will also oxidize and become rancid with exposure to air. Always tightly seal the container after use to minimize further air exposure. Even a small amount of air will cause a breakdown in the oil over a certain period. If your oil bottle has a screw cap, be sure it is fully tightened after use. For larger containers, a vacuum-sealed pump or distribution to smaller containers might come in handy for less air inside.
Store Different Oils Separately
They are not all created equal in regard to storage. Some, like extra virgin olive oil, are sensitive to light and heat, whereas others, like coconut oil, are pretty stable at room temperature. Store them differently, as per their requirement, to maintain their quality. For example, keep olive oil in a cool and dark place and keep the coconut oil in your pantry or refrigerate it during very hot weather.
Use Within Recommended Timeframes
Each type of cooking oil has a recommended shelf life, which is commonly printed on the label. A few oils, like refined vegetable oils, can keep up to one year while flaxseed oil is expected to have an extremely short shelf life. You will want to use them for this length of time to ensure that they remain fresh and healthy to consume. For this reason, you may want to mark the purchase date on the container so you can keep track of how long you've had it.
Refrigerate When Necessary
Some oils, in particular, those containing high amounts of polyunsaturated fats, such as flaxseed or walnut oil, do benefit from being refrigerated. This slows down the process of oxidation, keeping the oil fresh longer. Note, however, that some oils may cloud over or harden in the refrigerator; this is normal and doesn't affect the quality. Simply bring the oil to room temperature before use.