Melting Coconut Oil

by Tammy Aguilar
(Newburgh, Indiana)

Hi Misty!

I buy my coconut oil in a gallon container. I take a quart size glass jar and fill it to easily scoop my daily servings out of.

I prefer to melt my oil for daily consumption. It's MUCH easier on my taste buds. I don't use the microwave to melt the coconut oil. I set the glass jar of coconut oil in a bowl and fill the bowl with hot or boiling water and let it melt that way.

OK, this is my question. Is it perfectly OK to keep melting the whole quart sized jar of oil over and over without damaging the quality of the coconut oil? Or would it be better to measure out my tablespoon serving each time and only melt that amount?

I have been melting the whole jar for a few months now and haven't had a problem until now. But it seems like lately the oil is turning more of a yellowish color on me and not quite as clear. The oil expiration date is February 24, 2011 so it's not supposed to be expired yet. But the container has been open for a very long time so maybe it expired before it should have.

So anyway.....I am just wondering if it's better to measure out my single serving of oil each time in order to avoid damaging my coconut oil. Or does the heat absolutely not affect the oil no matter how many times you melt it over and over?

And also, is there another easier way to melt my coconut oil than what I am doing?