Is it safe to re-use cooking oil?
By mooshiVC
@mooshiVC (8)
France
March 13, 2009 6:47am CST
Sometimes when I cook food or fry something for a short time, there is some leftover cooking oil, and I pour it into a container and use it again for making fried rice or what-not. Is this safe? If it is, how long can you keep this before it goes bad?
1 person likes this
4 responses
@xiaoling08 (102)
• Indonesia
21 Mar 09
I think it is ok to reuse it as long as it still have a light colour.If the oil become to dark don't reuse it anymore.
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@fiazio (734)
• India
13 Mar 09
Yes you can, but when you reuse oil, there are some vegetable particles already in it, these turn black, and we know burnt anything is carcinogenic causing cancer, not too much but yes it does a little.
It also makes the taste bad.
@pergammano (7682)
• Canada
13 Mar 09
mooshiVC...First of all, let me welcome you to myLot! And hope you will enjoy your stay here!
Personally, and I know we are all facing frugality...I would NOT reuse cooking oil, as residuals left from the previous use could contaminate the current food that you are cooking....and my other concern would be bacteria residue! The oil cannot be heated enough to destroy the bacteria with burning it and imparting that taste into your food! Have a great weekend! Cheers!
@mooshiVC (8)
• France
16 Mar 09
Thanks so much for your warm welcome! I've only been in myLot for a few days, and I can already see myself getting addicted to it! ;-)
Yes, I can definitely see your point. Like I said in my other comment, I guess it's just me and my issue of not throwing anything away! Of course, health is the number 1 priority, never mind the money saved!
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@pergammano (7682)
• Canada
16 Mar 09
There are times..I think, when we have to let go of "frugality" for health issues, and also weigh the costs! If we are contaminated by something, then have to seek medical help/pay for medicine...then we haven't been so frugal!
Here in B.C., Canada we have collection Depots, and they will take your strained cooking oil & it is recycled into bio-fuels! If you are a restaurant, with a larger supply, they will even pick it up!
Another thought that I had, is that if you are using this oil, in any anti-stick pan, e.g.; Teflon...your oil will be highly contaminated, as these pans release toxins over (don't quote me) but I think that it is 350 degrees, (have to look that up)~~~~~and for deep frying you oil needs to be above 350, that is why commercial establishments use Stainless Steel!
Great discussion...and now you have me wanting to do more research! Cheers!
@mooshiVC (8)
• France
24 Mar 09
That sounds like a great idea (a really good way for oil not to go to waste) -- everybody knows the environment needs a lot of attention nowadays! I'll really try to kick the habit of keeping used cooking oil for future use. And you know what? Just thought of it - why not lessen the use of oil altogether? It's about time we are more conscious of what we put into our bodies, anyway. I just can't help not using oil because my husband always likes fried food! Grilling or broiling is probably the best answer.
Thanks for all your advice! Have fun with the research and tell me what you find out! ;-)
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@ishi23 (71)
• United States
21 Mar 09
In my opinion, its OK to re-use cooked oil for 1-2 more time. If the cooked oil has some food articles , then its a good idea to strain it before storing as the food particle in the oil can deteriorate the quality. Ideally, you should not use the cooked oil because cooking causes generation of free radicals, which are very very bad for the body.
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