Peanut oil is one of the most popular oils for deep-frying. Not only does it have a high smoke point, making it ideal for high-heat cooking, but it also imparts a delicious nutty flavor to fried foods. But how long does used peanut oil last? In this blog post, we’ll dive into the details to answer that very question.
Why Peanut Oil is Ideal for Deep Frying
Peanut oil is an excellent choice for deep frying because it has a high smoke point—the temperature at which the oil starts to break down and produce smoke. This makes it ideal for creating crispy fried chicken or any other deep-fried dish. The high smoke point also prevents the formation of harmful compounds that can be created when oils are heated beyond their smoke points.
The difference in shelf life between fresh and used peanut oil can be explained by several factors. First, when you fry with any type of cooking oil, the temperature causes oxidation which breaks down its molecular structure and decreases its quality over time. Therefore, fried oils will break down faster than their non-fried counterparts as they are exposed to higher temperatures regularly. Additionally, food particles that have been left behind in your reused cooking oil can cause bacteria growth or rancidity if stored for too long at room temperature. This further decreases your used cooking oils' longevity significantly more than a fresh one that hasn't come into contact with food yet.
How Long Does Used Peanut Oil Keep?
The shelf life of used peanut oil depends on how well you store it, as well as how often you use your deep fryer. If you use your fryer frequently and store the oil in an airtight container in a cool, dark place (like a cupboard or pantry), unused peanut oil can last up to 6 months. For best results, discard used peanut oil after 1–4 uses and replace it with fresh oil each time you deep fry. If stored properly, used peanut oil can still be safely consumed up to 8 weeks after use.
However, if you don't use your fryer often or if you don't store the oil properly (for instance, leaving it out in direct sunlight or storing it outside of an airtight container), then you should discard used peanut oil after just one use as it will start to go rancid quickly under those conditions. It's also important not to mix new and used oils when preparing food in your deep fryer; doing so could cause bacteria growth and lead to food poisoning.
Signs of Spoiled Peanut Oil
When it comes to determining if peanut oil has gone bad, there are a few key factors to consider. Generally speaking, you can tell when an oil has spoiled due to its smell, color, and taste.
If the peanut oil smells off - like paint or gasoline - that’s usually a sign it’s no longer good for cooking. Additionally, if the color of the oil is darker than usual or murky then it’s best to discard it as well. The taste test is also important: if cooking with spoiled peanut oil leaves food tasting bitter or too nutty then the oil likely should be thrown out.
When frying chicken batter in particular, you want to look out for signs of oxidation; this could manifest itself as foaming on contact with hot surfaces and reduced flavor retention in foods cooked with oxidized oils (which would have an unpleasant metallic taste). If this occurs while using your peanut oil then that's a sure sign that your supply needs replacing!
Overall, you must pay close attention to ensure your peanut oil stays fresh and fits properly for cooking and frying applications. When done correctly - ensuring bubbly fried chicken and delicious sauces – it's one of the most effective ways around for achieving amazing flavors!
How you Should Store Peanut Oil that is Used
To ensure your used peanut oil remains available for use in future meals and retains its flavor, following these storage tips is key.
First off, it's important to filter the used peanut oil before storage. Skimming off any food particles or sediment with a fine mesh sieve can prevent spoilage caused by bacteria growth or oxidation of fats or other components found in the oil. It's also helpful to strain out any residual moisture to reduce further oxidation and contamination from airborne microorganisms during storage. Additionally, filtering helps remove residue which can cause smoke when heated up again later on for reuse in cooking.
Once filtered through a sieve into an airtight container such as a jar or lidded plastic container; be sure to store at room temperature in a cool dim place away from direct sunlight exposure which can break down polyunsaturated fats contained within oils like peanut oil too rapidly.
Bottom Line:
Using peanut oil for deep frying is a great way to get crispy fried chicken wings and other dishes with minimal effort! While fresh peanut oil can last up to 6 months when stored correctly, used peanut oil should be discarded after just 1–4 uses depending on storage conditions. Be sure to always keep new and used oils separate for safe consumption! With these tips in mind, now get out there and make some delicious southern fried chicken using your favorite recipe!
Bonus: Southern Fried Chicken Recipe
To get the truly authentic southern fried chicken taste and texture, start with a few key ingredients. Start with 4 pounds of chicken parts - these can be wings, breasts, drumsticks, or thighs. You'll also need 2 cups of buttermilk, 1 teaspoon of paprika, and 1 teaspoon of cayenne pepper for marinating the chicken.
For the coating you will need:
- 1 cup all-purpose flour
- ½ cup cornstarch
- ¼ cup finely ground black pepper.
This will provide a crunchy coating on your fried chicken without overpowering its flavor. Make sure to mix this well before getting started!
In addition to those ingredients for frying you'll also want to use Canola oil as it has a higher smoke point than other cooking oils giving your crispy fried chicken an even crispier crust without burning too quickly.
- Heat about 5 inches of Canola oil in a deep pot until it reaches 375°F (190°C) - use a thermometer if possible so that you know when it's ready!
- Once everything is prepped and ready to go start by submerging each piece of marinated chicken into the wet batter mixture made from buttermilk and spices first
- Then transfer into the dry mixture made from flour, cornstarch, and black pepper
- Then transfer back into the wet batter again
- Finally, transfer directly into hot oil for deep frying – this double dip technique works best for getting that perfect golden-brown color along with crunchy flavorful coating on each piece just like what they do at southern restaurants!
- Once they're coated, begin deep frying chicken pieces for 10-15 minutes depending on their size.
- Enjoy your delicious southern crispy fried chicken
