Peanut oil, how long does it stay good?

[catman71]

I have a big jug of peanut oil I opened about a year ago and used half of it. I put the cover back on and keep it in the cellar. How long will it stay good to use? How can I tell if it is bad?

[New Yankee]

Catman - I kept looking to see if you'd get a response from an expert, but doesn't seem like there is much activity, so I'll give you my two cents.

I've read that the shelf life of oils vary, but 60-90 days seems to be a consistent report. However, I've used peanut oil up to 4-5 months with out any problem (Turkey fry in fall, strain, then spring fish frys. We don't use alot of vegatble oil at home and I suspect the 1/2 gal I have in the pantry is 6 months old. If you've keep the oil out of the sunlight and in a cool spot, you've got a shot.

If the oil is really cloudly a/o gives off a rancid smell, it's bad. If it's fairly clear and doesn't smell like much, I'd give it a go.

I think the most 'correct' answer is that it should be tossed, but I'd give it the smell and look test first.

[catman71]

thanks Yankee, I went ahead and used it this weekend for a fish fry. Everything tasted fine and nobody had any digestive problems that were not alcohol induced....

[Tom Linderholm]

Good Advice New Yankee!

I've been just buried with getting 2 restaurants up for Memorial weekend so I apoligize for my timeliness.

Oils are very dependent on storage techniques. Sun and heat can give peanut oil a off smell very quick. Color variation is a good way to tell but half the time oil is off before it even gets to the shelf, depending on the way that it was pressed moisture can retain in a oil to give it a cloudy effect before it has had time to go bad. I always just take a smell and a taste and let that be my determining factor. If I wouldn't eat it than neither shall my guests.