HOW MANY TIMES CAN YOU REUSE FRYING OIL?
Typically you can reuse cooking oil MANY times, BUT it depends on what you’re frying! The type of oil can make a difference also. What you’re frying also makes a difference. Just remember that frying oil takes on the flavor of whatever it originally fried. Keep this in mind for future frying. If you used oil to fry fish, it probably won’t be good for frying donuts next, but you can go in reverse — the oil you fried donuts in would be just fine for frying fish or something savory.
Frying oil has a longer lifespan than people realize and it can be used several times before you need to dispose of it. Reusing oil is the best way to reduce not only waste, but also the cost of frying.
Frying things like French fries or chips without breading allows you to reuse oil 8-10 times.
Frying things like fish or chicken with Breading you can only reuse the oil 2-4 times. Items like fish can transfer flavored and particles that will make your oil smell rancid, smoke heavily or just become dark and foamy.
Straining your oil properly and storing it in airtight containers helps. BUT, oil degrades with EACH heating so you need to use your best senses and air on the side of caution.
Signs that it’s time to dispose of your oil:
- Smell: Rancid, musty, or “off” odor.
- Appearance: Dark, cloudy, or foamy.
- Performance: Smokes easily before reaching cooking temperature or food becomes soggy/greasy.
How to reuse frying oil and How to Extend Oil Life:
- Cool & Strain: Let oil cool, then filter out all food bits with cheesecloth or a fine-mesh sieve.
- Store Properly: Keep filtered oil in a sealed, light-proof container away from heat.
- Replenish: Top off used oil with fresh oil to maintain quality.
How to dispose of frying oil:
Eventually, frying oil hits a point at which it can no longer be used. When this happens, it’s time to dispose of it, which can be difficult.
Do not pour it down your sink drain. The oil can congeal and clump, clogging your pipes and leading to a plumbing disaster.
- Solidify it, then trash it:
- Transfer it to a closed container, then toss it: You can pour your oil into a sealed disposable container (like the bottle it originally came in), close tightly, and throw it away.
- Recycle it: Depending on where you live, you may be able to recycle your used oil. Use the handy navigator from Earth 911 to search for recycling drop-offs near you, or check with local services.