If the coconut oil hardens on the counter, it’s officially the cold season. But does it last longer this way?
If so, maybe it’s even more durable frozen…
According to pro chefs, it is. There are many reasons to freeze coconut oil, and durability is just one of them. (*)
In this article, we will cover all your concerns about freezing coconut oil. Let’s get started!
Can coconut oil Be Frozen?
There are a few types of coconut oil; refined, cold pressed, virgin, and infused. But they all have one thing in common: they all freeze at a relatively high temperature.
By storing the coconut oil in the freezer, you can prevent oxidation and elongate its shelf life for up to 2 years.
There are many cases when solid coconut oil is easier to use. But even so, you shouldn’t just toss it in the freezer.
When your goal is to firm up coconut oil rather than extend its shelf life, putting it in the fridge is enough.
So why would you freeze it when the fridge does the trick as well?
What are the perks of freezing coconut oil?
To extend the shelf life or make it easier to use in pastries or homemade cosmetics, you should freeze coconut oil.
It is also much easier and less messy to measure it in a solid state. There is, however, a difference between properly frozen coconut oil and simply solidified coconut oil in the fridge.
Coconut oil freezes uniformly, but in the fridge its compounds can separate. That is why freezing coconut oil can help you preserve its quality.
Now let’s see how to properly freeze coconut oil.
How to freeze coconut oil
To ensure coconut oil stays fresh for a long time, there are a few steps to follow:
- Start with room-temperature coconut oil.
- Take a silicone ice-cube tray and wash it under warm water.
- Fill the tray with equal amounts of coconut oil.
- Put it in the freezer for 1-2 hours.
- Place the frozen solid cubes into sealable plastic bags.
- Keep the coconut oil in the freezer for up to 2 years.
Finally, you can date the bags so that the older ones are used first. After two years, you should thoroughly check its quality to ensure it has not spoiled.
If there’s a whole process to freeze it, there must be one to properly thaw it…
How to properly thaw frozen coconut oil?
Melting the frozen coconut oil cubes seems like a no-brainer. However, doing it poorly can impair taste and quality.
Let’s see what you have to keep in check:
- Don’t melt it too quickly; otherwise, it can break down.
- Heat it up on medium using a saucepan.
- The best way to thaw it is without cooking the oil first.
- Using a microwave-safe container and heating it up gradually is also convenient. Cover it to prevent splatter.
- If the frozen coconut oil is in a jar, place it in warm water.
When used in cooking, frozen coconut oil serves no purpose other than to make portioning easier.
To help you decide whether you should freeze it or not, we answered the most common questions.
FAQs
Can you refreeze coconut oil?
Refreezing any type of oil is dangerous. It can easily lead to food poisoning without any obvious signs of spoilage.
Although there won’t be any significant change, it could still start degrading when repeatedly thawed and frozen, especially if you cooked with it.
And what about infused olive oils? Are they safe to freeze?
Can you freeze infused coconut oil?
It’s perfectly safe to freeze infused coconut oil, and the method is the same as for regular ones.
That said, the flavor strength can deteriorate rapidly with freezing, especially in the first few months.
For infused coconut oils, it’s best to store them at room temperature, without direct sunlight.
How long can coconut oil be frozen?
Coconut oil stays fresh for quite a long time when frozen, up to 2 years. Refined coconut oil is even more durable; it can be stored in the freezer for up to 5 years.
However, after 2 years, the texture can quickly change or become chunky. That’s natural, and goes away if properly thawed.
Still, if it seems flaky, or you see cracks on the frozen coconut oil, you should throw it away.
So what does properly frozen coconut oil look like?
What happens when you freeze coconut oil?
Coconut oil quickly solidifies in the freezer when placed in a sealed container or plastic bag. The opaque texture darkens and becomes cloudy and dense.
It may still be soft to the touch after a few hours. However, it has to harden after a night in the freezer.
When done correctly, freezing has no effect on the structure or the smell. If it smells funky, something’s not right.
Although freezing coconut oil is probably the easiest of all vegetable oils, knowing the freezing points is still useful.
What is the freezing point of pure coconut oil?
Above 76 degrees Fahrenheit, coconut oil is liquid. Below that, however, it quickly transforms into a solid, dense white block.
It even firms up at a typical winter room temperature, without any freezing.
We recommend that you do not simply place it in the freezer but rather melt it thoroughly beforehand, even submerging the jar in hot water.
The freezing point of coconut oil is the same for all types. But there are a lot of conflicting myths about cold pressed oils and their freezing point. (*)
Does cold pressed coconut oil freeze?
Cold pressed or virgin coconut oil has the same freezing point as refined coconut oil. They start to firm up below 76 degrees Fahrenheit.
But does freezing do any harm?
Does freezing coconut oil damage it?
No, it does not damage unless it’s infused with some kind of aroma, or the storage container is not properly cleaned.
Infused oils tend to lose smell and flavor when frozen for a few months, this is also true for coconut oils.
Because this is a simple process, we’ll wrap up our guide quickly.
Conclusion
So, can you freeze coconut oil? Yes, you can conveniently freeze coconut oil with just a silicone ice cube tray, and nothing else. Rinse it with some warm water, and freeze that brain food into convenient-sized packets. (*)
The only exception is infused oils; those were not meant to be frozen. Furthermore, there are some non freezing coconut oil types sold in supermarkets, so make sure to check the labels.
But one thing is for sure: frozen coconut oil cubes are amazing for your skin and hair and make baking quite the joyride. (*)
Up Next:
