You may be able to leave cooled oil in a covered deep fryer between uses if its manual allows it. That does not mean the oil will stay usable indefinitely. For longer storage, strain the cooled oil into a suitable sealed container, and clean the fryer as directed.
How Should You Store Used Frying Oil?
Switch off and unplug an electric fryer, and allow the oil and appliance to cool completely before draining or cleaning them. Follow the manufacturer’s instructions for the removable pot and electrical parts.
USDA recommends straining oil that you intend to reuse, keeping it in a sealed, light-proof container and refrigerating it for the best quality. Label the container so that you know when it was used. Storage does not restore oil that has already deteriorated.
How Often Should You Change It?
There is no reliable household rule that every batch lasts three, eight or ten frying sessions. The food, crumbs, temperature, heating time and storage conditions all affect the oil. Follow any shorter limit on the fryer or oil label.
Discard oil that develops an unusual odor, persistent foam or smoke during normal frying. A high original smoke point does not make repeatedly heated oil immune to deterioration. Stop heating oil that is smoking rather than trying to finish the batch.
Does the Date on the Bottle Tell You When Used Oil Is Safe?
A best-before or best-if-used-by label generally concerns quality; it is not a guarantee about oil that has already been heated or stored badly. Follow the product’s storage and use instructions, and do not assume that a date in the future makes deteriorated oil acceptable.
What About Peanut Oil?
The same handling principles apply to peanut oil. Choose a product that the fryer manufacturer permits, and do not assume that its price or smoke point guarantees months of reuse. Strain and store reusable oil properly, but discard it when its condition or the manufacturer’s instructions require it.
Keep cooled waste oil out of the sink. Check local cooking-oil collection options, or use the disposal method your local waste service specifies.
Related Reading
- deep fryers that use little oil
- Selecting the Right Oil for Deep Fryers
- Can You Use Canola Oil In A Deep Fryer? [Or Pure Canola Oil?]
- Is Olive Oil Suitable for Deep Frying?
- Exploring Types, Oils, and Usage of Deep Fryers
- The Debate: Gas vs Induction – What Do Chefs Prefer?
- Avoiding Smoke from Deep Fryers
- Are Deep Fryers Smelly?
- Is a Deep Fryer Prone to Explosion?
