Coconut Oil Storage

[Suanne]

I like using coconut oil on my dry skin.  Once I didn't notice that I had accidently tipped the jar on it's side. The lid was screwed on, but evidently not tight enough; when the weather warmed, the oil liquified and ran all over.

So, I'd love to take it on the road with me, but I'm afraid of spillage in warm weather when the oil changes from a solid to a liquid state.  Also,
I would like to transfer it to a smaller container than the 32 oz. jar that it's currently in.

What container with a tight fitting lid would you suggest?  I'd need something that would hold 16 oz.

 

[Gary68]

the coconut oil i have came in a 14oz glass jar

 

[cyndi]

Mason jar. There's a reason why they've been around so long. And they're available in many sizes

 

[TrainChaser]

I was thinking Mason jar, also. I just set up an experiment for you: one pint jar + 1 metal canning lid + 1 plastic lid (to cap leftovers for fridge). If this works, all parts will be reusable almost indefinitely.

I filled the jar with water, set the metal lid on the jar rim, then screwed the plastic lid down firmly on top of the metal lid. Then I laid the jar on its side in a bowl.

I had been wondering how this would work, and your question was the incentive to try it. BREAKING NEWS AS IT HAPPENS! (Probably tomorrow)

 

[highdesertranger]

x 2 on the mason jars. I even have an adaptor that vacuum seals them. they seal nice and tight. highdesertranger

 

[TrainChaser]

Okay, the experiment worked fine, not a single drop in the bowl!  I used water.  I would assume that it would work with oil, also, due to the flexible seal.

For those who don't know much about canning jars, which come in sizes from 4 oz (1/2 cup) to half-gallon:

* Wide-mouth jars are much easier to clean completely than the smaller regular mouth size.  (About $12 for a box of a dozen, less during sales, check thrift shops for singles.) If you buy used, make sure to run your finger around the top edge to check for chips; chips will ruin the seal.
* Metal canning jar lids (get the size that matches your jar), about $4 for 12.  They are completely reusable if they haven't been used for regular heated canning, as long as the rubber seal is intact and aren't rusted inside.  (photo: http://www.growingagreenerworld.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/11/BPAcanninglids.jpg)
* Plastic lids, about $4 for box of 8 (photo: http://jarspot.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2013/07/mason-jar-canning-lids-560x175.jpg).  Endlessly reuseable until the Rottweiler chews on them.

Pay the extra 50 cents or so to buy the standard Ball brand -- WM's Mainstay brand has a rep for failures.

You do not need the metal rings for this type of application.

 

[Putts]

Trying to stay away from breakables, but Mason jars rock for the intended purpose. You guys find them pretty durable?

 

[Ticklebellly]

I use coconut oil for cooking. Always annoyed me trying to get the solidified oil out of the jar. I now sit the new glass jar in the sun until the contents are in liquid state then pour into ice cube trays. Cubes then store as one use portions in a zip lock bag, in the fridge.

One early attempt at this solution was to put the liquid state oil in a zip lock bag and lay the bag flat in the fridge. Made it easy to break off a small piece at a time.

Partner sometimes uses the oil on dry skin. I break off a small shard at a time for her. The warmth of her skin liquified it in short time. I one time tried a re used toothpaste tube to hold about 30ml. Partner would put the container in her pocket for 10 minutes or so before using the contents.

 

[Suanne]

Thanks for the ideas. Like Putts, my concern about Mason jars is breakage. The smaller pint jars seem thicker, more durable; I wonder if that's true. Also, I could wrap them in duct tape to try to minimize dings from another jar or something else hard/sharp. Up until now, I've avoided glass anything.

And thanks for the test TrainChaser. Why did you chose the platic ring over the traditional metal ring?

Ticklebelly, unfortunately I don't have any refrigeration (by choice). But love the clever ice cube tray idea anyways.

 

[TrainChaser]

Suanne: "Why did you chose the platic ring over the traditional metal ring?"

They're complete plastic lids, not rings.  The way they're built, the metal lid with the rubber gasket sits on the glass rim, and the plastic lid sits right on top, pressing the metal lid down to form a tight seal.

JAR SOCKS:  Got some old socks?  Cut off the toe straight across, then cut out the heel, and you've got two knitted tubes to slide over the glass jars so they don't bang against each other.  Trim length to fit, as they only need to be on the sides.  Should be safe enough unless you roll the van; in that case, you've got bigger problems than some broken jars.

Jar Socks Tutorial (I've never worried about sewing them, you may be pickier): http://webloomhere.blogspot.com/2014/12/another-mason-jar-cozy-tutorial.html

 

[Photogal39Travels]

After I open the jar, I double ply and put wax or parchment paper under the lid. If you dont like the extra paper sticking out from the lid you can cut around the jar and voila.

 

[XFILE36]

You can buy organic coconut oil from Trader Joe's already in a glass jar.

 

[XFILE36]

JAR SOCKS:  Got some old socks?  Cut off the toe straight across, then cut out the heel, and you've got two knitted tubes to slide over the glass jars so they don't bang against each other.  Trim length to fit, as they only need to be on the sides.  Should be safe enough unless you roll the van; in that case, you've got bigger problems than some broken jars.

Trainchaiser, that's an awesome idea.  I have a bunch of socks and some leg warmers that I thought I would have to donate, but now they have a purpose.

 

[Suanne]

Here's a pic of how I decided to store my coconut oil.



I took one of my socks, uncut, and put a pint Mason jar into it. Then, I folded down the top of the sock so that the lid was accessible and the jar was double covered.  I had one of those rubber bracelets to put around the jar to keep the sock in place, like a thick rubber band.  Finally, after firmly screwing on the lid, I store it all in a zip lock gallon bag.  I try to make sure that it always rides in the upright position.

Thank you all for the ideas and suggestions!