Coconut oil has a melting point of 75 to 76ºF (around 24ºC). The white coconut-based substance is then gently refined by using steam to neutralize the oil, stripping away the tropical coconut scent and flavor. wikiHow's. On a hot day it may melt. If this is what you bought, make sure to transfer the oil to a darker container. So if you keep your house at that temperature or warmer, it will melt. If you plan to apply your coconut oil as a moisturizer, hair mask or other beauty applications, it’s often better stored at room temperature where the oil will stay liquified or semi-liquified and easier to spread. It is usually solid if not specified. You just have to keep it a room temperature in a sealed, ideally airtight container. If your home is cooler, you might need to heat the coconut oil … If your kitchen is kept under 76 degrees F, coconut oil will always be solid. Purchasing your coconut oil in a glass bottle or jar will help to ensure no chemicals from plastic have leached into the product. It's hard to get down in a solid state. This article was co-authored by our trained team of editors and researchers who validated it for accuracy and comprehensiveness. This prevents the oil from oxidizing at high temperatures, making it a favorable cooking substitute for other oils like vegetable oil. Cover the pot to sauna coconut oil for 10 minutes. 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. When I pour liquid oil, it often drips down the side of the bottle, making a mess. How To Keep Coconut Oil From Going Bad. Step 2. By now, the hard solid coconut oil should have melted and softened a bit. However, the benefits of coconut oil stay the same no matter what form the oil is in. The goal is to gently warm the oil to around 76°F / 24°C without overheating it. Indeed it is so high in saturated fats that it is among the hardest oils in nature. I don't want to put it in the microwave and destroy its healing properties. wikiHow's Content Management Team carefully monitors the work from our editorial staff to ensure that each article is backed by trusted research and meets our high quality standards. Coconut oil above 75 degrees is liquid and hardens at temperatures below that. Meat from fresh coconuts is also used to produce coconut milk, which is commonly used as a dairy substitute and contains fat, protein, and other nutrients. Always use clean utensils when handling the coconut oil and check the oil occasionally to ensure it's still good to use. In fact, where you keep your oil can be a matter of preference. It can be stored unrefrigerated with other pantry products or refrigerated if you prefer it chilled. Under certain circumstances, the oil can react with the metal, causing it to have an unpleasant smell and be potentially harmful to use. 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. "The tip to store the oil jar in a dark place helped a lot. Look for this in the refrigerator section of the grocery store. You could stick it in the fridge until it firms up a little and then store it in the pantry. You might easily end up with a mixture consisting of more than 50% of beeswax. We know ads can be annoying, but they’re what allow us to make all of wikiHow available for free. Or use the coconut oil in homemade skincare products. What temperature does coconut oil melt? When stored properly, it can have a long shelf life of up to two years. I go through it pretty quickly, one of my favorite must-haves! Those bottles of liquefied coconut oil have undergone extra processing, eliminating some of … You can cool and reuse the coconut oil for frying. Wherever you store your coconut oil, make sure you keep the lid on the container so it stays fresh. The coconut oil will give a mild, tropical flavor to your meals. Your email address will not be published. When the oil is completely separated from the solid, remove the solids and get rid of them. We use cookies to make wikiHow great. This is because of its low molecular weight and straight linear chain structure, which reduces the protein loss for both undamaged and damaged hair. By signing up you are agreeing to receive emails according to our privacy policy. I have a jar of organic coconut oil, and the only time it is in a liquid state is in the hot summer months. We only suggest putting the Kelapo Pre-Measured Baking Sticks in the fridge to keep them a solid so you can cut them easier. Virgin coconut oil retains its natural coconut scent and flavor. y coconut has been opened and is now in liquid form…is it safe for me to refridgerate after it has been opened about maybe a month? How To Store Coconut Oil. Then, place it in a darker place of the pantry or kitchen to completely avoid sunlight exposure. When it says 3 tbsp of coconut oil, is that solid or liquid? Remember to move the coconut oil container away from the skillet of hot oil or it may melt the rest of your coconut oil. Make sure to store the coconut oil in a warmer space – perhaps near the stove or an appliance that is frequently switched on. 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. This prevents the oil from oxidizing at high temperatures, making it a favorable cooking substitute for other oils like vegetable oil. Discard the oil after using it a few times. You’ve taken all the right steps, but the time might have come to take a look at your oil and decide if it’s still safe to use. Thank you. To store coconut oil, put it in a cool, dry place like a cupboard or pantry. Nonetheless, refrigerating coconut oil in the fridge instead of placing it in your pantry can be helpful for different purposes. And allow the oil to cool down then pass through a sieve or cheesecloth to remove any leftover solids or particles. Replace cooking oils or butter in your favorite recipes with coconut oil. Personally, I like to keep the coconut oil I use solid. Keep it in dry places where it won’t see much constant change in temperature or light. There are 10 references cited in this article, which can be found at the bottom of the page. Do you have to refrigerate coconut oil? None of our tips are complicated. This article has been viewed 37,941 times. And that light or heat can speed up the process. Refrigerate the oil to firm it up. If you want to learn how to use coconut oil after it's been stored, continue reading the article! Send us your idea for a post and if we publish it, you’ll get $100 cash. If you have a strong blender you can make this yourself by blending up dried (unsweetened) coconut until it forms a paste (like a nut butter). To melt the oil, start by pouring hot water into the large glass bowl. These spots can include a kitchen pantry, kitchen cupboard, with your beauty supplies and more. Finally, remember to use only very clean utensils when scooping coconut oil out … Your email address will not be published. If you live in a particular cool area, then this may be a problem for you as your coconut oil will consistently be in a solid form. To figure out how to properly store coconut oil, let’s first examine what it is and how its made. Health, sustainability and people making an impact. Also you can mix essential oils into it too. You may be able to buy coconut oil in stick form which makes it easy to cut and measure. When I look up virgin coconut oil it's always in solid form wherever it's sold. Its saturated fatty acids keep it stable at high temperatures, making it an ideal cooking oil. Would really like to keep it all natural and organic if possible. Coconut oil does not need to be refrigerated, but it certainly can be. Depending on the temperature of the stored coconut oil, it may be in the liquid, semi-liquid or solid. Common signs to look out for when determining whether your oil has gone bad or not include: If you experience any of the above signs, your oil may have expired. However, be sure to store your coconut oil in an airtight container to help it stay fresh for as long as possible. Tired of feeling trapped by your finances? This property will allow for your coconut oil to stay fresh for as long as possible. Just remember to make sure the container can be sealed. 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