Oil and vinegar are two indispensable ingredients in any kitchen, adding flavor, texture, and depth to your dishes. Whether you’re a professional chef or your family’s chief cook, no doubt they are two cooking essentials you always have plenty of on hand.
But how you store these essential items has a lot to do with how long they last, and how fresh they taste when you pull them off the shelf to make salad dressing, fry up some fish – or do a whole host of other cooking tasks that oil and vinegar are such a key part of. Economics is an important factor in a well-run kitchen, it’s key that you don’t waste either oil or vinegar by storing them incorrectly in plastic, glass, or stainless steel containers. Who hasn’t pulled out a bottle of olive oil only to discover that the lid wasn’t sealed properly the last time you used it? It’s infuriating, we know! But everyone has made a mistake like that from time to time. In this post, we offer suggestions for storing oil and vinegar bottles properly, so that you don’t waste a drop of either of these liquids that are such a vital component of many favorite recipes.
Many people prefer having oil and vinegar bottles that are attractive for the dining table. Some folks like to buy large, economy-size containers of these liquids and then transfer them into oil and vinegar bottles that look good and function well. However, if you make any or all of these common mistakes, you might end up with a mess – a spill or (even worse!) improperly stored liquids that cause oil and vinegar to spoil.
Mistake 1: Overfilling the Bottle
At first glance, it may seem smart to fill your oil and vinegar bottles to the brim, but it’s easy to overfill them, which may result in problems you didn’t foresee.
Why is overfilling a big issue?
Simply put, overfilling oil and vinegar bottles can lead to a whole range of problems, including:
- Spills when you’re using the bottle. Liquid can readily spill out if there isn’t enough room for the oil or vinegar in the bottle. If the bottle is too full, just tipping it to begin using it might see a whole whack of liquid gush out, which of course is not what you want. You may also end up with drips and smears on the outside of the attractive oil and vinegar bottles you bought to put out on the table, which isn’t very attractive at all!
- Awkward handling. Let’s say some olive oil drips out onto the bottle’s sides because it is too full. If you pick it up, the bottle then feels greasy and might even slip out of your hands.
- Overfilling may reduce freshness and shelf life. When you overfill oil and vinegar bottles, you inadvertently expose the bottles’ contents to air and light. Doing this speeds up the oxidation process in all types of oils, and negatively affects the quality of your vinegar.
Solution: Leave room to breathe
If you leave a little space at the top of the oil and vinegar bottles, you’re likely to avoid this problem of overfill. This space – we suggest about 20 percent, or so – lets the oil and vinegar stay fresh and also ensures you won’t spill them when pouring them into a bowl or measuring cup. We manufacture dispensers made of acrylic and stainless steel, both of which are designed with clear markings that indicate precisely how full you should fill your oil and vinegar bottles.
Mistake 2: Skipping Regular Cleaning
Oil and vinegar bottles require routine maintenance. If left too long, oil residue will go rancid and vinegar can go flat. Both products taste off when that happens, and germs and other deposits build-up.
Why cleaning is necessary?
Over time, oil and vinegar both leave residue in the bottles. This causes issues, including:
- Rancid oil residues. The buildup of rancid oil affects aroma and flavor.
- Vinegar build-up. Vinegar leaves behind acidity, which can impact flavor and freshness.
- Bacterial growth. Bacteria may grow in both oil and vinegar bottles, and we don’t need to explain why that’s risky, do we?
How to clean your bottles correctly
- Wash them at least once a month. Make sure the water is warm and soapy, but the soap should be mild, like the one you use to wash your hands or dishes.
- Deal with tough stains. Your best bet for getting rid of stubborn stains is a mixture of baking soda and white vinegar.
- Thoroughly dry the bottles. Use a clean tea towel and dry the bottles yourself, or set them out to air dry on the counter. Don’t refill your oil and vinegar bottles until you’re sure they’re completely dry, because you want to prevent bacteria from getting in them.
Mistake 3: Storing Bottles in Unsuitable Conditions
Storing your oil and vinegar bottles properly is vital for keeping their contents fresh and germ-free.
How heat and sunlight impact quality
Where and how you store your oil and vinegar bottles profoundly affects their freshness and taste. Storage mistakes include:
- A spot that’s too warm. Is the oven close to the shelf where you store your oil and vinegar bottles? Big mistake! Or is the shelf getting hit with sunlight during the day? No! The heat from any source negatively impacts oils and changes their flavor. Vinegar loses its tang when exposed to heat.
- Exposing to sunlight. Sunlight breaks down oils, which negates their nutritional impact and alters their taste.
Storing bottles correctly
- Choose a cool, dark spot. Find a dark spot in which to store your oil and vinegar bottles, preferably a cool one, as well.
- Use bottles made of light-resistant materials. Opt for stainless steel bottles, which stop light from penetrating into the liquids. You may find acrylic bottles you like, which is okay because acrylic – some are made of opaque color – blocks like from getting in.
Seal them!
Bottles that aren’t sealed correctly will lead the contents to air, which the oil to go rancid and the vinegar to lose its flavor and zing. Each time you return your oil and vinegar bottles to the shelf, please double-check that the lid has sealed correctly – no matter what kind of lids they have.
Mistake 4: Using the Wrong Type of Dispenser
Not all dispensers are created equal! Choosing the wrong one for your oil and vinegar may cause spoilage and waste – and these things cost money!
Matching the dispenser to the liquid
- Thicker oils: Thick oils (such as olive oil) demand a slim spout, to keep too much oil from pouring out.
- Thinner vinegars: Certain vinegar – such as balsamic – are well suited to a wider spout. This design lets the vinegar pour out easily and smoothly.
How the material affects the dispenser
- Acrylic dispensers. Acrylic dispensers resist breakage, and they’re light and easy to handle. Oil and vinegar bottles made of acrylic are perfect for everyday use
- Stainless steel oil cans. Stainless steel dispensers are long-lasting. Stainless steel oil dispensers protect the liquids from light, and that’s imperative for these essential liquids to last a long time.
Solution: choose wisely
Choose your dispensers carefully, with your needs in mind. Think which liquid will go into which dispenser, and what the material is made of. Choosing the right dispenser for your oil and vinegar ensures the bottle contents will last and always taste fresh.
Mistake 5: Forgetting to Seal the Bottle Properly
If the seals aren’t tight and secure, you might be in for a few problems.
The risks of poor sealing
Those problems include:
- Spilling and dripping. Loose lids easily lead to drips and spills.
- Oxidation. This is just a fancy way of saying that air may penetrate the oil or vinegar, and that quickly impacts the flavor and freshness.
- Contamination. It might be bacteria, or it might be bugs, but either way, you don’t want your oil and vinegar messed with by these things! If the seal isn’t tight and secure, you might be risking the purity of the contents, and that isn’t good.
Best practices for proper sealing
- Double-check the lid. Check the lid, and then check it again before you store the oil and vinegar bottles back on the shelf.
- Choose airtight containers. Buy dispensers with tight-fitting lids. Unsealed bottles allow air to enter, which degrades oils and weakens vinegar.
- Inspect regularly. This is particularly important if you don’t use your oil and vinegar bottles frequently. When you’re tidying up the kitchen shelves each week or putting away groceries, take a moment to check out the lids’ seals, but also take a quick look at the bottles. Make sure there are no drips, cracks or tears.
Why Choose Acrylic Plastic and Stainless Steel Dispensers?
Acrylic and stainless steel dispensers are designed with precisely the problems we’ve outlined here in mind. We know you want to avoid these problems and make sure your oil and vinegar bottles function efficiently and look great – and ours do!
Here’s a quick roundup of the pluses of acrylic plastic dispensers:
- They’re long-lasting and light. They’re ideal for everyday use and aren’t going to shatter if you drop one, or bump one onto the floor with your elbow.
- Their clear design makes it quick and easy to see how much liquid is in the bottle.
- Acrylic doesn’t scratch easily, so your oil and vinegar bottles stand up well over months and even years.
Here’s a roundup of the benefits of stainless steel:
- The design protects the contents from light and heat, which helps preserve freshness and flavor.
- These dispensers come in attractive styles that resist rust and last a long time.
- The secure and safe seals protect the bottles’ contents and help prevent spills and oxidation.
Final Thoughts
It’s important that you avoid these common mistakes when using your oil and vinegar bottles, mistakes like spillage, improper cleaning, and loose lids, among other things we’ve mentioned. Now that you’re well-armed with all the right info for choosing wisely when you buy oil and vinegar bottles, you’re sure to keep these essential cooking liquids in dispensers that work perfectly, look good, and never cause a mess. That’s a win-win-win all the way around!
Make every pour perfect—no spills, no waste, just flawless flavor! Happy cooking!
