Peanut oil is a vegetable oil that is extracted from peanuts. It is popular for its flavor and high smoke point. Peanut oil has a long shelf life and can be stored at room temperature.
How Many Times Can You Use Peanut Oil? Peanut oil can be used multiple times before it needs to be replaced. The number of times peanut oil can be reused depends on the type of peanut oil, how it was used and how it is stored.
In this article, we will explore the number of times peanut oil can be used safely and some tips on re-using it.
Facts About Reusing Peanut Oil
Some things you need to know about re-using peanut oil;
- If you re-use peanut oil from deep frying, then you should re-use it up to three times. After the third time, it starts losing its flavor and may even have a bitter taste from being heated so many times.
- If you re-use the peanut oil from stir-frying or sautéing at lower temperatures, then it can last up to five times.
- Re-used peanut oil will still have a nutty flavor, but won’t be as strong as when it’s fresh.
- You can re-use peanut oil up to several times depending on how you use it and what temperature you use it at.
- Make sure to heat it up to at least 350 degrees Fahrenheit to kill any bacteria that may be present. If the oil smells or tastes bad, discard it immediately and use a fresh batch
LEARN MORE: Can You Use Peanut Oil in Cake Mix?
Reasons for Reusing Peanut Oil
- Re-using peanut oil is a great way to save money and help the environment. When you use fresh peanut oil instead of re-using it, you not only have to re-buy the peanut oil each time but also the enormous amount of packaging that goes with it.
- Re-used peanut oil can be used as a lubricant in industrial applications.
- Re-useable peanut oil is also good for making biodiesel.
- Re-using peanut oil is good for the environment because it reduces greenhouse gas emissions by reducing the demand for fossil fuels.
LEARN MORE: Can You Use Peanut Oil in a Deep Fryer?
Reasons for Not Reusing Peanut Oil
- Re-used peanut oil can become rancid and smell bad, which will ruin your meal. You should re-use it only up to five times before discarding it or re-buying a fresh batch.
- The re-used peanut oil has a lower smoke point than fresh peanut oil. Re-used peanut oil will start to burn at around 350 degrees Fahrenheit, whereas fresh peanut oil can withstand temperatures up to 450 degrees before starting to burn.
- Re-using peanut oil past five times is not recommended because it may cause liver disease and cancer.
- Peanut oil is high in polyunsaturated fats, which are not good for your health when re-used.
- Peanut oil should not be re-used more than five times because it can start to develop an unpleasant aroma after re-using it several times. If the oil smells or tastes bad, discard it immediately and use a fresh batch for cooking.
LEARN MORE: Can You Use Peanut Oil In Brownies?
Ways to Reuse Peanut Oil
There are many ways to reuse peanut oil. Here are some;
- Use it as a cooking oil. Peanut oil has a high smoke point, meaning it can be used for cooking at high temperatures without smoking or burning.
- Use it as a salad dressing.
- You can use it to re-fry foods.
- Peanut oil is also great for seasoning pans. If your pan starts to get a little too blackened, add some peanut oil and re-season it.
LEARN MORE: Can You Use Peanut Oil For Baking?
How to Reuse Peanut Oil
You can re-use peanut oil up to three times from deep frying and five times from sauteing, before it needs to be disposed of. After that, the oil will start to break down and may not be safe for consumption.
To re-use the oil, strain it through a fine-mesh sieve to remove any particles or food residue.
Reheat the oil until it reaches between 350 and 400 degrees Fahrenheit. When re-using peanut oil, be sure to keep a close eye on the temperature to prevent burning; this will ruin the oil and make it unsafe for reuse.
Be sure to allow the oil to cool completely before storing it in a sealed container. Peanut oil can also be stored in the fridge or freezer; just be sure to thaw it before using it.
LEARN MORE: Can You Use Peanut Oil Instead Of Vegetable Oil?
Conclusion
Previously used peanut oil is not an unhealthy choice if you re-use it properly. It can be re-used up to five times, with the right care and attention.
Just make sure you keep it in an airtight container between reuses and change the filter regularly so that your peanut oil remains clear and free from any debris.
Try storing used peanut oil and save some money while saving the environment too!