Does Grape Seed Oil Go Bad? How Long Its Lasts, Storage Methods and Spoilage Signs!

Does Grape Seed Oil Go Bad?

Grape seed oil might not be everybody’s preferred choice, but once you try it, you might not want to switch back to your regular option. This is because grapeseed oil has a neutral taste that does not affect the overall taste and aroma of the dish.

However, many people don’t know the oil’s shelf life, whether it can go bad, and the best storage practices to extend its shelf life. This is because it is not widely used. It is difficult for average homemakers to know if their Grape Seed Oil has gone off and if it is healthy to cook food using old Grape Seed Oil.

If you plan to use grapeseed oil for all your cooking needs, the following article can help you get the necessary answers.

What is the Shelf-Life of Grape Seed Oil?

What is the Shelf-Life of Grape Seed Oil

Like other cooking oils, Grape Seed Oil tends to go rancid over time, especially when it is exposed to air or oxygen. The oxidative process causes the chemicals to go bad quickly. So, before buying a bottle of Grape Seed Oil, you must learn the shelf life of the cooking oil.

Every bottle of Grape Seed Oil comes with a use-by date mentioned on its label. The date is only the estimate of how long it keeps its quality and freshness and must not be confused with the expiry date.

If proper storage protocols are followed, the oil can keep its quality for a couple of months more than its use-by date. After opening the bottle, the oil comes into contact with fresh air and oxygen, accelerating the oxidative process. The oxidation process causes the cooking oil to go rancid quickly. It can be delayed by opening the bottle rarely and securing the cap tightly after cooking.

However, according to a Grape Seed Oil Brand, you can expect the cooking oil to sustain its freshness for up to six months in the pantry and 12 months in a fridge.

Items Pantry Fridge
Grape Seed Oil Unopened Use-By Date plus Three to Six Months Use-By Date Plus Six to Twelve Months
Grape Seed Oil Opened Six Months Two Months

 

These periods are only the estimates for the best quality and not the expiry date.

What are the Spoilage Signs of Grape Seed Oil?

What is the Shelf-Life of Grape Seed Oil

As your Grape Seed Oil goes off or horrid, there are a couple of clues that can provide you with the present status of the cooking oil. Certain characteristics of the oil will let you know when the oil has gone bad and is not edible for cooking.

But, you must know the difference between these characteristics to prevent using rancid oil or throwing the good and edible oil.

The odor of the Cooking Oil

The only way to check if your Grape Seed Oil is still edible or gone bad is to check its taste and smell. As mentioned, the oxidation process ruins the cooking oil quickly, but you won’t see any change in its appearance after oxidizing. But, the aroma and taste of the oil will go off.

So, when you notice any unpleasant or awful smell in the cooking oil, it means the Grape Seed Oil has gone off, and it is not safe for consumption.

Solid Chunks

If the bottle of Grape Seed Oil has frozen, it is time to discard it. But, if there are only a few solid chunks or flecks in the oil, consuming it is fine, especially if it is stored in a fridge.

The solid chunks can be the part of the oil that separates or solidifies more rapidly than other components, and they are harmless.

Milky Color

The milky color of the oil is the obvious sign of spoilage, and if you see such color in the oil, avoid using it further and discard it. When the oil is placed in a cold environment, it cools faster, and the ingredients start settling and separating, creating opaque and milky streaks. It may look like rot, but they are harmless to your health.

Pro Tip!

If the oil doesn’t rot or mold in the conventional sense, you must watch the signs of discoloration, mold, and change in taste and smell. If you notice any of these changes, discard them.

What Happens If you Eat Bad Grape Seed Oil?

What Happens If you Eat Bad Grape Seed Oil

Grape Seed Oil is a cooking oil that tends to go bad like other cooking oils. However, there is less chance of bacterial or mold growth in the oil. It can still go rancid from the oxidation process. The rancid oil loses all the health benefits and can adversely affect health when consumed for an extended period.

There is no harm in using Grape Seed Oil after expiry for cooking, provided that the bottle is not damaged or leaking during storage and is stored according to set protocols. If the oxidation process has caused any damage to the oil, it can be harmful for consumption.

So, you must always look for the spoilage signs before using the Grape Seed Oil after the use-by date. Consuming such oil can cause stomach upset, diarrhea, vomiting, bloating, and other disorders, especially when consumed for a long duration.

Can You Freeze Grape Seed Oil? Refrigerated Vs. Shelf-Stable

Can You Freeze Grape Seed Oil Refrigerated Vs. Shelf-Stable

Unfortunately, freezing is not recommended for Grape Seed Oil for many good reasons. Freezing the Grape Seed Oil will never prevent the oil from going rancid; instead, it makes it unstable when you bring it to room temperature. So, it is pointless to store the leftovers of Grape Seed Oil in a freezer.

When you bring out the oil from a freezer after a prolonged period of freezing, it gets unstable at room temperature because the chemicals fail to react suitably at the extremely cold temperatures inside a freezer.

Since freezing won’t guarantee to extend the shelf-life of Grape Seed Oil, it makes no sense to store it in a freezer, and it can be dangerous to freeze the oil for a long time in a freezer.

Refrigerated

The undamaged, unopened, tightly sealed Grape Seed Oil bottle can last longer in a fridge. Refrigerating the Grape Seed Oil will heighten its lifespan but is less helpful for the opened bottle of Grape Seed Oil.

Refrigerating the unopened bottle of Grape Seed Oil can extend its shelf-life for up to a year after its use-by date. It means the unopened bottle of Grape Seed Oil can last a year after its best-by date.

However, the shelf-life of an opened bottle of Grape Seed Oil is less when stored in a fridge. It only lasts for six months when properly refrigerated after opening.

Shelf Stable

The Grape Seed Oil is shelf-stable as it can be stored in your pantry to last up to a year, especially when unopened. Since the unopened bottle is properly sealed, there is less chance of oxidation, so it won’t go off when stored in your pantry. But it is only applicable for the sealed and unopened bottles of Grape Seed Oil.

After opening, the bottle of Grape Seed Oil lasts only for six months, whether refrigerated or stored in your pantry. However, the shelf-life lessens when you store it in your pantry after opening. Refrigeration is always best for an opened bottle of Grape Seed Oil to extend its shelf-life.

What are the Best Storage Methods for Grape Seed Oil?

The shelf life of Grape Seed Oil reduces significantly when it is not stored as recommended. It is necessary to store the cooking oil as prescribed to enjoy its aroma and quality for years to come. The storage method of Grape Seed Oil is the same as other cooking oils. Here are a few storage methods for you.

Store in Cool Dark Places

The chemicals that go into making Grape Seed Oil react negatively when exposed to moisture, light, and heat. So, the bottle of Grape Seed Oil must be stored aptly in cool, dry places in your pantry when unopened.

When it is opened for cooking, you may choose to store it in your pantry or a fridge. However, ensure that the place is free from heat sources and extreme temperature and heat. The ideal storage temperature is between 20 degrees Celsius and 25 degrees Celsius.

Store in Airtight Container

Whether you store it in a pantry or fridge, you must ensure that the bottle’s cap is tightly secured before storing. The bottle cap must be tightly secured to prevent the chemicals from reacting with the air and triggering the oxidation process.

So, you must always store the bottle tightly when not in use. It will help sustain its quality for years.

Alternatives for Grape Seed Oil if it Goes Bad 

If you are in dire need of grapeseed oil but the one in your kitchen pantry has gone bad, you can try using the following alternatives:

  • Canola oil
  • Avocado oil
  • Sunflower oil
  • Safflower oil
  • Walnut oil

Frequently Asked Questions

Do Grape Seed Oil Expire?

Grape Seed Oil doesn’t expire, but the aroma and taste of the oil change post use-by date mentioned on the label. It is necessary to follow a proper storage method to ensure that the oil’s shelf life is prolonged. It will help extend the oil’s shelf-life up to six months post expiry date.

How can Expired Grape Seed Oil be Used?

After the use-by date of the Grape Seed Oil, you can use it for a couple of months as it won’t make you sick. However, after that, you can use it in the recipe of your skin oil or directly skin oil. There is no other use for the Grape Seed Oil, and you can’t use them in cooking.

How Long does an Unopened Grape Seed Oil Bottle Last?

The properly bottled and sealed bottle of Grape Seed Oil can last up to 18 months. The commercially prepared Grape Seed Oil comprises preservatives and chemicals that can sustain its quality for up to 18 months, provided that it is stored properly.

The Bottom Line

Grape Seed Oil is the versatile cooking oil found in most modern kitchens. However, the cooking oil can go bad, especially if you are unaware of the storage methods.

At the right temperature, the cooking oil can last up to six months in the pantry and one year in the refrigerator. You have to look for spoilage signs before using them for cooking.

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