Storing coconut oil

[Arfed]

The (virgin, hard/cold pressed) coconut oil I bought around a month ago seems to have gone stale very quickly; what good ways are there of keeping this stuff preserved?

When I get some more, I'm thinking of just scooping out a small bit (i.e. a weeks worth) and keeping that in a separate jar, to stop the oil in the main jar from oxidizing so quickly (which is what I presume made it go off), but what else could I do?

[chrissy-b]

I keep my large jar in the refrigerator and scoop out enough to last me a couple of weeks. I've had the same jar for over a year now and it is still good.

[Sissy]

I keep my large jar in the refrigerator and scoop out enough to last me a couple of weeks. I've had the same jar for over a year now and it is still good.

That's a good idea. Is that what is recommended? To keep organic cold pressed coconut in the refrigerator?
If so I better move my huge tub from under the counter into the fridge!

[may1em]

Put it in the FRIDGE! Drr! Why didn't I think of that? I had some that went really bad once - I left it in my kitchen cupboards when I went away for a summer and when I came back there was green stuff floating in it.

Now if only there were enough space in the fridge. Ah, housemates.

[Gumball]

I've had mine for months and months just sitting on a shelf and it's kept just fine. It seems like it's the same as the day I got it and first used it.

[manderly]

Fridge. I have abouit an inch worth in a squeezy bottle (it's almost always liquid here!)

It doesn't go bad quickly or anything, I have my squeezy last for months and it's still just fine.

[ktani]

I posted about the storage of honey lightening ingredients.

"Coconut oil's fatty acid profile .... about 92% saturated fat, making it very stable and safe to store at room temperature."
http://www.spectrumorganics.com/?id=247

[Arfed]

Cheers, thanks for the replies :) Keeping it in the fridge is a good idea, I'll do that.

[Sissy]

I posted about the storage of honey lightening ingredients.

"Coconut oil's fatty acid profile .... about 92% saturated fat, making it very stable and safe to store at room temperature."
http://www.spectrumorganics.com/?id=247

Ktani,

are you saying we shouldn't need to refrigerate it? I have a HUGE tube of it. How long will it keep without refrigeration?
Cheers,
Sissy

[ktani]

Ktani,

are you saying we shouldn't need to refrigerate it? I have a HUGE tube of it. How long will it keep without refrigeration?
Cheers,
Sissy

Good question!

More from Spectrum.

"To ideally safeguard the nutritive value and longevity of your oils, keep them in a cool (40° F to 72° F), dark cupboard until opening .... then store them in your refrigerator. Storage under these conditions provides .... shelf life of 10-14 months for unrefined oils, and 14-20 months for refined oils."
http://www.spectrumorganics.com/?id=16

[Oberon88]

Hrm, maybe I'll put mine in the fridge. It's been in a cupboard since I bought it and seems fine.

[rapunzhell13]

I keep mine in the fridge, it's much less messy that way. I keep the tub on a saucer with a teaspoon and just scrape a little to warm up between my hands for a light oiling.

[Sissy]

Good question!

More from Spectrum.

"To ideally safeguard the nutritive value and longevity of your oils, keep them in a cool (40° F to 72° F), dark cupboard until opening .... then store them in your refrigerator. Storage under these conditions provides .... shelf life of 10-14 months for unrefined oils, and 14-20 months for refined oils."
http://www.spectrumorganics.com/?id=16

Thank you... I am going to refrigerate mine for sure now!

[Elphie]

During the winter, my house stays between those temps so I keep it in a cupboard in my bathroom. I also use it as a moisturizer and my last container only lasted about 2 1//2 months, so the turnover is pretty quick. Come summertime, I'll refrigerate it.

[LadyLongLocks]

I store my extra jar in the fridge but leave the one in use in the bathroom.

[Elenna]

Having gone through several jars of coconut oil leads me to ask you, are you using your hands to scoop out the coconut oil or a spoon?

[rapunzhell13]

Having gone through several jars of coconut oil leads me to ask you, are you using your hands to scoop out the coconut oil or a spoon?

I use a teaspoon, my nails aren't long enough to scrape it out.

[lynnala]

I think a lot depends on how often you open the jar, if you are using your fingers, etc. I used to keep my large jar in the bathroom so that I could use it after I showered, and when I got to the last inch or so, I found a bunch of brown yuck at the bottom. It was suggested to me here on LHC (ktani, I'm sure!) that the steam and my fingers were probably introducing contaminants into the oil. So now I do what others above suggested, I scoop out small amounts at a time and keep the rest in the fridge. You have to let it get to room temperature when you need to get more though, it turns rock hard in the fridge.

[rose_in_bloom]

I've never had a problem with mine going bad. I use Nature's Way EfaGold virgin coconut oil. I store it in a cool dry pantry, and use my fingers to scoop it out. Maybe I should be more careful, though!

[Arfed]

Having gone through several jars of coconut oil leads me to ask you, are you using your hands to scoop out the coconut oil or a spoon?
Yep was using my fingers, as well as carelessly keeping the jar above my warm computer screen :o no doubt quickened the speed at which it went off.
Will probably keep taking it out with my fingers since that's easiest, but will do what others have been doing, and scoop out a weeks worth into a separate jar, from the main jar in the fridge.

[Deborah]

This might sound nutty, but it works. I have used up numerous 54 ounce jars of organic coconut oil without the least problem with spoilage or odd smell or anything else. I also just dig in with several fingers - no problems.

I keep the whole jar on top of the tank of my (get ready for it)...toilet. Yep. the ceramic is always cool and the coconut oil does just great. What can I say, it works, I don't have to go downstairs for more oil, and I don't use up needed refrigerator space. :)