Should I Reheat My Cooking Oil?

February 16, 2022

Reheating cooking oil isn’t always recommended, but there are some types of oil that you can reheat and use for a number of different dishes, whether it be hot or cold. If it’s been stored appropriately and wasn’t overcooked to begin with, then you might well be able to salvage it for one more use. But which oils can you reheat and why is it unsafe to reheat certain types of oil?

Is it safe to reheat cooking oil?

Reheating cooking oil can pose a number of different health risks that you should be aware of. However, it’s important to note that not all oils can pose such a risk, so be sure to do some research in order to find out if the oil you’re cooking with can be reheated safely or not.

Anything that is carcinogenic can be quite harmful to your health as it also increases free radicals in the body which can then lead to inflammation which is often the root cause of several health problems, including:

Obesity
Heart disease
Diabetes

What happens when oil is reheated?

If cooking oil is repeatedly heated and reheated, the physical appearance of the oil itself will start to change. You’ll most likely notice increased viscosity and a darker colour than it was originally. In turn, these changes will alter fatty acid composition of the oil so when it’s reheated, a number of chemical reactions occur such as oxidation, hydrolysis and polymerization.

Which cooking oils can I reheat?

Refined oils are often the best option when wanting to reheat cooking oil. They’re recommended for high-heat cooking and deep-frying certain foods, so refined oils are generally safe to reheat as they’re also high oleic. Safflower oil, sunflower oil and peanut oil are generally ok for reheating as they’re from varieties that are particularly high in monounsaturated fats, hence why they’re suitable for high-heat cooking.

How many times can I reheat cooking oil?

Depending on what it is you’re cooking, refined oils can be reheated the following number of times:

For breaded or battered foods – three to four times
For clean frying, such as making chips or crisps – eight times, although you could reuse it far more than that if you replenish it with fresh oil after the eighth time

What can I do with leftover cooking oil?

Leftover cooking oil should never be poured down the drain, despite the compelling need to do so. It should be transferred to a sealable container and put directly in the household waste bin.

However, if you save up the oil you use or if you have a commercial business that generates copious amounts of waste oil, then it can be collected, for free, by oil collection companies such as Cater Oils.

We’ll collect your used oil for no fee or additional charges and, in some cases, we’ll even pay you for taking away your used cooking oil. We’ll then take your used oil and turn it into biodiesel for eco-friendly, cost-effective and responsible disposal.

If you’d like further information about how Cater Oils can help you to dispose of your used cooking oil today, or if you’d like us to supply you with fresh oil, get in touch with a member of our friendly, knowledgeable team – we’re always happy to hear from you.