When the oil is completely separated from the solid, remove the solids and get rid of them. This is OK for storage, but for the purposes of diluting essential oils, it is easier to work with coconut oil in its liquid state. If your raw coconut oil is in a solid state, there are many quick and easy ways to liquefy. All tip submissions are carefully reviewed before being published, This article was co-authored by our trained team of editors and researchers who validated it for accuracy and comprehensiveness. This will reduce the amount of oxygen that comes into contact with the oil. None of our tips are complicated. I keep my organic, unrefined and cold pressed coconut oil on the pantry shelf. Remove the lid on coconut oil jar. This method leaves only the oil with its pure coconut taste. Your email address will not be published. Studies show that the type of saturated fat found in coconut oil makes it a healthier choice than other cooking oils. If you do not refrigerate it, keep in a cool, dark place in an airtight container for up to two years. Extending the shelf life of your coconut oil is not difficult as long as you take care when storing it. I go through it pretty quickly, one of my favorite must-haves! Tagged: coconut oil; Comments. Or use the coconut oil in homemade skincare products. Also you can mix essential oils into it too. How To Store Coconut Oil Bought in Bulk Long Term It is important to heat the coconut oil before storage, because all the ingredients in the oil, should be mixed properly before storing it. Similarly, storing it in the refrigerator may also be a good idea because refrigerators are designed to maintain a certain temperature. Using Hot Water Fill up a sink with hot water. Use Clean Utensils. Pour the oil into the small jars and close them tightly. These spots can include a kitchen pantry, kitchen cupboard, with your beauty supplies and more. If you want your coconut oil to be liquid, fill a bowl or the sink with hot water (hot tap water is fine) and then just set your jar of coconut oil in the water until it melts. You can store the smaller container in the bathroom if you know you'll be using the oil quickly (within a week). Perry Administrator, Professional Chemist. This is entirely normal. Learn more... Coconut oil is enjoying popularity as a widely used cooking and beauty oil. Finally, remember to use only very clean utensils when scooping coconut oil out … In case you’re still not sure if coconut oil is the right choice for you, check out this list of the endless ways you can utilize it in your everyday life. While the properties of the oil will not change and it is equally beneficial no matter how it is consumed or applied, the fact is that such fluctuations in its state can render the coconut oil unsuitable for use. Indeed it is so high in saturated fats that it is among the hardest oils in nature. This factor is why storing it in a kitchen pantry may be the best location for your coconut oil. Coconut oil does not require any sort of special storage equipment to keep it fresh for a long time. To figure out how to properly store coconut oil, let’s first examine what it is and how its made. wikiHow's. When stored properly, coconut oil often has the best and longest shelf life of any other oil. Coconut oil has become increasingly popular over the past few years, used as both an edible ingredient and personal care product. I know they sell refined liquid coconut oil which is used for cooking but that would be used as a good heat protectant. When I look up virgin coconut oil it's always in solid form wherever it's sold. This prevents the oil from oxidizing at high temperatures, making it a favorable cooking substitute for other oils like vegetable oil. If you want to learn how to use coconut oil after it's been stored, continue reading the article! In fact, where you keep your oil can be a matter of preference. There are 10 references cited in this article, which can be found at the bottom of the page. Virgin coconut oil retains its natural coconut scent and flavor. Coconut oil will turn to liquid at temperatures above 76 degrees. Melting it is necessary before using. I use a knife to spoon it out. So, when the temperature is higher than this, coconut oil liquefies, and at a few degrees lower, it solidifies. My thermostat is set at 76 degrees and coconut oil begins to get solid at that temperature. Whether in the fridge or in the pantry, extra virgin coconut oil is still the healthier alternative! Thank you. It can be stored unrefrigerated with other pantry products or refrigerated if you prefer it chilled. I don't want to put it in the microwave and destroy its healing properties. Unrefined or virgin coconut oil uses fresh coconut meat, or copra, which is then cold-pressed. If you want it soft or liquid you can keep it in your kitchen cabinet. There are several health benefits that have been attributed to coconut oil, although more research is needed to confirm the efficacy of this tropical substance. You can purchase coconut oil either refined or unrefined. But, when stored improperly, the oil can go rancid very quickly. But heat isn't necessarily a bad thing for coconut oil storage, and if your coconut oil turns into a liquid, that doesn't mean it's gone bad. Kitchn readers, how do you deal with liquid coconut oil? Remember to move the coconut oil container away from the skillet of hot oil or it may melt the rest of your coconut oil. The moisture from the air, as well as the constantly changing temperature, can have a negative effect on the coconut oil’s texture and its ability to stay fresh. Just remember to make sure the container can be sealed. By using our site, you agree to our. By signing up you are agreeing to receive emails according to our privacy policy. Both versions of coconut oil are effective for different purposes. At room temperature (under about 76 degrees), coconut oil starts to solidify. And allow the oil to cool down then pass through a sieve or cheesecloth to remove any leftover solids or particles. Coconut oil does not need to be refrigerated, but it certainly can be. Both processes involve extracting the meat — the white part — of a ripe coconut from its shell. August 2015. Oxygen can also make your coconut oil spoil faster. Thank you for sharing these wonderful tips!". This prevents the oil from oxidizing at high temperatures, making it a favorable cooking substitute for other oils like vegetable oil. It is best to keep coconut oil in a dark or opaque storage container. In addition, keeping the ingredient in a dark glass container will help to keep it fresh for longer because the temperature will be less impacted by light. Coconut oil has a melting point of 75 to 76ºF (around 24ºC). {"smallUrl":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/images\/thumb\/f\/f1\/Store-Coconut-Oil-Step-1.jpg\/v4-460px-Store-Coconut-Oil-Step-1.jpg","bigUrl":"\/images\/thumb\/f\/f1\/Store-Coconut-Oil-Step-1.jpg\/aid9401992-v4-728px-Store-Coconut-Oil-Step-1.jpg","smallWidth":460,"smallHeight":306,"bigWidth":728,"bigHeight":485,"licensing":"
License: Creative Commons<\/a> License: Creative Commons<\/a> License: Creative Commons<\/a> License: Creative Commons<\/a> License: Creative Commons<\/a> License: Creative Commons<\/a> License: Creative Commons<\/a> License: Creative Commons<\/a>
\n<\/p>
\n<\/p><\/div>"}, {"smallUrl":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/images\/thumb\/c\/ca\/Store-Coconut-Oil-Step-2.jpg\/v4-460px-Store-Coconut-Oil-Step-2.jpg","bigUrl":"\/images\/thumb\/c\/ca\/Store-Coconut-Oil-Step-2.jpg\/aid9401992-v4-728px-Store-Coconut-Oil-Step-2.jpg","smallWidth":460,"smallHeight":306,"bigWidth":728,"bigHeight":485,"licensing":"
\n<\/p>
\n<\/p><\/div>"}, {"smallUrl":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/images\/thumb\/9\/93\/Store-Coconut-Oil-Step-3.jpg\/v4-460px-Store-Coconut-Oil-Step-3.jpg","bigUrl":"\/images\/thumb\/9\/93\/Store-Coconut-Oil-Step-3.jpg\/aid9401992-v4-728px-Store-Coconut-Oil-Step-3.jpg","smallWidth":460,"smallHeight":306,"bigWidth":728,"bigHeight":485,"licensing":"
\n<\/p>
\n<\/p><\/div>"}, {"smallUrl":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/images\/thumb\/e\/e1\/Store-Coconut-Oil-Step-4.jpg\/v4-460px-Store-Coconut-Oil-Step-4.jpg","bigUrl":"\/images\/thumb\/e\/e1\/Store-Coconut-Oil-Step-4.jpg\/aid9401992-v4-728px-Store-Coconut-Oil-Step-4.jpg","smallWidth":460,"smallHeight":306,"bigWidth":728,"bigHeight":485,"licensing":"
\n<\/p>
\n<\/p><\/div>"}, {"smallUrl":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/images\/thumb\/d\/dd\/Store-Coconut-Oil-Step-5.jpg\/v4-460px-Store-Coconut-Oil-Step-5.jpg","bigUrl":"\/images\/thumb\/d\/dd\/Store-Coconut-Oil-Step-5.jpg\/aid9401992-v4-728px-Store-Coconut-Oil-Step-5.jpg","smallWidth":460,"smallHeight":301,"bigWidth":728,"bigHeight":476,"licensing":"
\n<\/p>
\n<\/p><\/div>"}, {"smallUrl":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/images\/thumb\/f\/ff\/Store-Coconut-Oil-Step-6.jpg\/v4-460px-Store-Coconut-Oil-Step-6.jpg","bigUrl":"\/images\/thumb\/f\/ff\/Store-Coconut-Oil-Step-6.jpg\/aid9401992-v4-728px-Store-Coconut-Oil-Step-6.jpg","smallWidth":460,"smallHeight":306,"bigWidth":728,"bigHeight":485,"licensing":"
\n<\/p>
\n<\/p><\/div>"}, {"smallUrl":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/images\/thumb\/5\/57\/Store-Coconut-Oil-Step-7.jpg\/v4-460px-Store-Coconut-Oil-Step-7.jpg","bigUrl":"\/images\/thumb\/5\/57\/Store-Coconut-Oil-Step-7.jpg\/aid9401992-v4-728px-Store-Coconut-Oil-Step-7.jpg","smallWidth":460,"smallHeight":306,"bigWidth":728,"bigHeight":485,"licensing":"
\n<\/p>
\n<\/p><\/div>"}, {"smallUrl":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/images\/thumb\/0\/0d\/Store-Coconut-Oil-Step-8.jpg\/v4-460px-Store-Coconut-Oil-Step-8.jpg","bigUrl":"\/images\/thumb\/0\/0d\/Store-Coconut-Oil-Step-8.jpg\/aid9401992-v4-728px-Store-Coconut-Oil-Step-8.jpg","smallWidth":460,"smallHeight":306,"bigWidth":728,"bigHeight":485,"licensing":"
\n<\/p>
\n<\/p><\/div>"}, {"smallUrl":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/images\/thumb\/a\/ab\/Store-Coconut-Oil-Step-9.jpg\/v4-460px-Store-Coconut-Oil-Step-9.jpg","bigUrl":"\/images\/thumb\/a\/ab\/Store-Coconut-Oil-Step-9.jpg\/aid9401992-v4-728px-Store-Coconut-Oil-Step-9.jpg","smallWidth":460,"smallHeight":315,"bigWidth":728,"bigHeight":498,"licensing":"