Cooking oils like it dark and cool to last a long time. But for some varieties, this is not enough. Which oils belong in the refrigerator?
Kassel – In many households, edible oils go directly into a dark drawer or into the cool pantry next door after opening them for the first time. But is that right? In fact, the storage of oils is not as uncomplicated as one might assume at first. Some varieties are more delicate than others – and should therefore be put in the refrigerator. Did you know that cooking oil also has some useful uses in the home outside of cooking?
"When storing vegetable oil, you should always pay attention to a dark, cool storage in well-closing containers," recommends the consumer advice center for edible oils in general. Refined edible oils generally have a longer shelf life than cold-pressed ones: Refined edible oils usually last up to two years when unopened, and should be consumed within six to eight months when opened. If not, they should be placed in the refrigerator no later than this time to ensure their continued shelf life.
Better to store in a cool place: These cold-pressed oils belong in the refrigerator
In the case of cold-pressed oils, meanwhile, the shelf life looks much shorter: unopened, they usually have a shelf life of about nine to twelve months. After opening, consumption within two months is suggested. Particularly sensitive, cold-pressed oils are linseed oil, walnut oil and pumpkin seed oil. These three varieties should be put in the refrigerator immediately after the first opening, according to the consumer advice center. Stiftung Warentest also advises linseed oil in particular to be stored in the refrigerator and emphasizes that it is very sensitive and thus quickly becomes "rancid".
Did you know which oil is best to put in the fridge? © Alex9500 / IMAGO / agefotostock
Another oil that should be kept in the refrigerator as a precaution is rapeseed oil. This can also be a cold-pressed oil, which is more sensitive than refined oil due to its production. However, rapeseed oil can also be purchased in refined form, so consumers can decide for themselves in which form they prefer cooking oil.
| For these edible oils, a dark and cool place is usually sufficient: | These cooking oils should be stored in the refrigerator: |
|---|---|
| Rapeseed oil (refined) | Linseed oil (cold-pressed) |
| Sunflower oil (refined) | Walnut oil (cold-pressed) |
| Olive oil (refined) | Pumpkin seed oil (cold-pressed) |
| Coconut oil | Rapeseed oil (cold-pressed) |
It is better to store sensitive cooking oils in the refrigerator - what is the best way to dispose of leftovers?
Overall, you should rely on your own senses when it comes to the shelf life of oil. The consumer advice center recommends that cooking oil should always be disposed of better if, for example, it smells strange or tastes rancid. "This does not pose an immediate health risk, but it spoils the taste of the food."
However, caution should be exercised when disposing of waste: "Do not pour fats and oils down the drain or toilet, as they put a strain on sewage treatment plants and make wastewater treatment costs more expensive." In addition, the oil in the drain pipe can cause blockages because it is not water-soluble. It is better to fill smaller amounts of oil into old bottles and dispose of them in the residual waste. According to bussgeldkatalog.org, this type of disposal is even expressly recommended by the Federal Environment Agency. (nz)