Wax-like coconut oil?

ttw1211
ttw1211 Posts: 91 Member
Ok so I got a jar of coconut oil and it's so hard. Like candle wax. Is that normal?
I know I can microwave it but I just want to make sure that's normal lol

Replies

  • bluefish86
    bluefish86 Posts: 842 Member
    Yep. Unrefined coconut oil is solid at anything under 74 degrees. If I let mine sit in the sun, it usually melts on it's own.
  • Sunny_Bunny_
    Sunny_Bunny_ Posts: 7,140 Member
    That's definitely normal. I wouldn't microwave it. I had some in a small bottle that I left by my stove for quick adding while cooking. In the past it always had vegetable oil in it...
    When I first put the CO in there it was summer and my warmer home kept it liquid, but then it became solid one day and I microwaved it to be able to pour it.
    Well, it stayed liquid for at least a full day even after the rest that was in the original container had solidified. I felt like the microwave changed it somehow. Kinda weirded me out. Lol
  • aSearch4Me
    aSearch4Me Posts: 397 Member
    edited November 2015
    If you warm a metal spoon in hot water (i.e. boil water in the microwave in a coffee mug, & then dip the spoon in), you can scoop out solidified oil pretty easily. Sometimes this works with just running the spoon under the hottest setting of water from the faucet, too.

    Editing to Add: I wouldn't microwave the jar of oil (even if it's not plastic). Sometimes you can get an "exploding" affect with warming things in the microwave, and that wouldn't be fun with coconut oil. If it's plastic, you could potentially leach chemicals from the jar into the oil.
  • KarlaYP
    KarlaYP Posts: 4,436 Member
    So.glad you got you some though! It's a step in the right direction, I promise! That stuff can change ones life!
  • KnitOrMiss
    KnitOrMiss Posts: 10,103 Member
    I only warm up/melt exactly the amount I'm going to blend into my shakes.... I would never intentionally melt the whole container, but 30 seconds is about the amount of time to melt 3-6 TBSP in a glass dish for me. I melt it slowly and gently, then stir to melt any last remnants, dump it in the blender (I generally make 3 days of shakes at once), and blend away. Even after 3 days in the fridge, it stays well blended and suspended in the shake. When I'm using it to cook, I just let the pan melt it as I do with butter.
  • SlimSonic
    SlimSonic Posts: 127 Member
    I finally got some today too. It's very expensive in Sainsburys for such a small jar....can anyone suggest where I can buy it cheaper here in the UK?
  • Dragonwolf
    Dragonwolf Posts: 5,600 Member
    SlimSonic wrote: »
    I finally got some today too. It's very expensive in Sainsburys for such a small jar....can anyone suggest where I can buy it cheaper here in the UK?

    Tropical Traditions should ship to you. They're one of the cheaper options for high quality tropical oils. Keep an eye out for sales. They will sometimes have their top varieties on sale for half off.
  • ttw1211
    ttw1211 Posts: 91 Member
    Thanks everyone. Tried it today with some butter to add to my protein shake after I microwaved a serving, and it was the biggest fail ever. There was a million clumps of stuff. The top layer got hard and goopy and fuzzy. I had to dump it all out and use my other protein shake. I'm so annoyed.
  • KnitOrMiss
    KnitOrMiss Posts: 10,103 Member
    ttw1211 wrote: »
    Thanks everyone. Tried it today with some butter to add to my protein shake after I microwaved a serving, and it was the biggest fail ever. There was a million clumps of stuff. The top layer got hard and goopy and fuzzy. I had to dump it all out and use my other protein shake. I'm so annoyed.

    You just microwaved the coconut oil and butter - not the whole shake, right? For 15 seconds at a time, stirring as you go??
  • KetoGirl83
    KetoGirl83 Posts: 546 Member
    Why microwave it? It just melts as soon as it is in contact on near something hot. I use a spoon in hot coffee and then blend it, it makes no difference if the oil is liquid or solid. It's trickier if you want a cold beverage but in Summer I did it by blending/diluting the oil in a bit of hot water and then blending all of it in cold tea. Only thing is, either hot or cold you'll have to drink it straight away.
  • SarahKat81
    SarahKat81 Posts: 35 Member
    I've been debating getting some...I just don't drink coffee and need to figure out another way to use it!! Good luck!
  • SarahKat81
    SarahKat81 Posts: 35 Member
    SlimSonic wrote: »
    I finally got some today too. It's very expensive in Sainsburys for such a small jar....can anyone suggest where I can buy it cheaper here in the UK?

    What about Amazon?
  • ettaterrell
    ettaterrell Posts: 887 Member
    Mine is like wax too but melts fine when added to hot coffee and blended so it doesn't all sit on top.
  • nicsflyingcircus
    nicsflyingcircus Posts: 2,855 Member
    aSearch4Me wrote: »
    If you warm a metal spoon in hot water (i.e. boil water in the microwave in a coffee mug, & then dip the spoon in), you can scoop out solidified oil pretty easily. Sometimes this works with just running the spoon under the hottest setting of water from the faucet, too.

    Editing to Add: I wouldn't microwave the jar of oil (even if it's not plastic). Sometimes you can get an "exploding" affect with warming things in the microwave, and that wouldn't be fun with coconut oil. If it's plastic, you could potentially leach chemicals from the jar into the oil.

    I did this with butter today. Needed a stick for my crockpot recipe and all I had was frozen. Into the microwave and *pop*. Made a friggin' mess.

  • Bob314159
    Bob314159 Posts: 1,178 Member
    It seems to depend on brand. I mainly use Cosco Canada tubs - at my kitchen temperature - it's perfect, soft enough to spoon out without becoming liquid. I have another brand that ends up as hard lumps mixed with liquid - messy to use.
  • KenSmith108
    KenSmith108 Posts: 1,967 Member
    SarahKat81 wrote: »
    I've been debating getting some...I just don't drink coffee and need to figure out another way to use it!! Good luck!

    Works great on cast iron. We use it in place of veggie oil.

    >:) OR o:)

  • KarlaYP
    KarlaYP Posts: 4,436 Member
    I agree with @KenSmith108, use the coconut oil to cook veggies, or cook eggs with. There are other ways to use it where you won't be so annoyed from wasted efforts. It's was hard for me to look at the stuff, for a while! Now, I don't even stop to consider what it looks like!
  • ttw1211
    ttw1211 Posts: 91 Member
    I think it would've been fine in coffee or something hot like a lot of you are saying but like I said I use it in a protein shake..which is cold.
    I ordered MCT oil, should come this week, I'll just use that.
    Thanks everyone!
  • ttw1211
    ttw1211 Posts: 91 Member
    KnitOrMiss wrote: »
    ttw1211 wrote: »
    Thanks everyone. Tried it today with some butter to add to my protein shake after I microwaved a serving, and it was the biggest fail ever. There was a million clumps of stuff. The top layer got hard and goopy and fuzzy. I had to dump it all out and use my other protein shake. I'm so annoyed.

    You just microwaved the coconut oil and butter - not the whole shake, right? For 15 seconds at a time, stirring as you go??

    Yea just the coconut oil and butter. It was probably about 20 seconds and then it was all liquid so I dumped it and and it was awful.
  • KarlaYP
    KarlaYP Posts: 4,436 Member
    I drink my coffee (decaf and hwc) cold and decided early on not to even try it in my coffee. I'm sure when its hot, and blended, is much better.
  • KnitOrMiss
    KnitOrMiss Posts: 10,103 Member
    ttw1211 wrote: »
    KnitOrMiss wrote: »
    ttw1211 wrote: »
    Thanks everyone. Tried it today with some butter to add to my protein shake after I microwaved a serving, and it was the biggest fail ever. There was a million clumps of stuff. The top layer got hard and goopy and fuzzy. I had to dump it all out and use my other protein shake. I'm so annoyed.

    You just microwaved the coconut oil and butter - not the whole shake, right? For 15 seconds at a time, stirring as you go??

    Yea just the coconut oil and butter. It was probably about 20 seconds and then it was all liquid so I dumped it and and it was awful.

    You need it to be liquid, then you blend it in to the shake. My emulsifies flawlessly... How odd.... I don't use butter though. I don't like it in things, just on veggies and meats. LOL
  • ttw1211
    ttw1211 Posts: 91 Member
    KnitOrMiss wrote: »
    ttw1211 wrote: »
    KnitOrMiss wrote: »
    ttw1211 wrote: »
    Thanks everyone. Tried it today with some butter to add to my protein shake after I microwaved a serving, and it was the biggest fail ever. There was a million clumps of stuff. The top layer got hard and goopy and fuzzy. I had to dump it all out and use my other protein shake. I'm so annoyed.

    You just microwaved the coconut oil and butter - not the whole shake, right? For 15 seconds at a time, stirring as you go??

    Yea just the coconut oil and butter. It was probably about 20 seconds and then it was all liquid so I dumped it and and it was awful.

    You need it to be liquid, then you blend it in to the shake. My emulsifies flawlessly... How odd.... I don't use butter though. I don't like it in things, just on veggies and meats. LOL

    Lol!
    Okay I will try again another time. Maybe it was the butter that messed it up. Or just a fluke. Who knows
  • sweetteadrinker2
    sweetteadrinker2 Posts: 1,026 Member
    ttw1211 wrote: »
    KnitOrMiss wrote: »
    ttw1211 wrote: »
    KnitOrMiss wrote: »
    ttw1211 wrote: »
    Thanks everyone. Tried it today with some butter to add to my protein shake after I microwaved a serving, and it was the biggest fail ever. There was a million clumps of stuff. The top layer got hard and goopy and fuzzy. I had to dump it all out and use my other protein shake. I'm so annoyed.

    You just microwaved the coconut oil and butter - not the whole shake, right? For 15 seconds at a time, stirring as you go??

    Yea just the coconut oil and butter. It was probably about 20 seconds and then it was all liquid so I dumped it and and it was awful.

    You need it to be liquid, then you blend it in to the shake. My emulsifies flawlessly... How odd.... I don't use butter though. I don't like it in things, just on veggies and meats. LOL

    Lol!
    Okay I will try again another time. Maybe it was the butter that messed it up. Or just a fluke. Who knows

    Brand of protein shake, or powder vs liquid shake. It works fine for me in liquids, not so much with the powder/water combo.
  • KnitOrMiss
    KnitOrMiss Posts: 10,103 Member
    edited November 2015
    ttw1211 wrote: »
    KnitOrMiss wrote: »
    ttw1211 wrote: »
    KnitOrMiss wrote: »
    ttw1211 wrote: »
    Thanks everyone. Tried it today with some butter to add to my protein shake after I microwaved a serving, and it was the biggest fail ever. There was a million clumps of stuff. The top layer got hard and goopy and fuzzy. I had to dump it all out and use my other protein shake. I'm so annoyed.

    You just microwaved the coconut oil and butter - not the whole shake, right? For 15 seconds at a time, stirring as you go??

    Yea just the coconut oil and butter. It was probably about 20 seconds and then it was all liquid so I dumped it and and it was awful.

    You need it to be liquid, then you blend it in to the shake. My emulsifies flawlessly... How odd.... I don't use butter though. I don't like it in things, just on veggies and meats. LOL

    Lol!
    Okay I will try again another time. Maybe it was the butter that messed it up. Or just a fluke. Who knows

    Brand of protein shake, or powder vs liquid shake. It works fine for me in liquids, not so much with the powder/water combo.

    I do a shake with almond milk (right now I'm trying a blend of coconut and almond milks), hulled hemp seeds, LivFit's superfood protein powder, cocoa powder, cinnamon or turmeric, sweetener, and a splash of heavy cream - plus the liquid coconut oil. I do not add ice or anything. I blend it up in batches of three, pour them into bottles, and leave them in the fridge. It stays overnight for the first night and for subsequent nights until I've had the three days worth. I've never had a problem with it separating back out.

    Oh, and the butter will show "solids" in the melted form sometimes, but when you blend it in, it should emulsify as well. Since I use heavy cream, I don't do the butter. Just a little more whey in mine due to the difference in form....
  • ttw1211
    ttw1211 Posts: 91 Member
    KnitOrMiss wrote: »
    ttw1211 wrote: »
    KnitOrMiss wrote: »
    ttw1211 wrote: »
    KnitOrMiss wrote: »
    ttw1211 wrote: »
    Thanks everyone. Tried it today with some butter to add to my protein shake after I microwaved a serving, and it was the biggest fail ever. There was a million clumps of stuff. The top layer got hard and goopy and fuzzy. I had to dump it all out and use my other protein shake. I'm so annoyed.

    You just microwaved the coconut oil and butter - not the whole shake, right? For 15 seconds at a time, stirring as you go??

    Yea just the coconut oil and butter. It was probably about 20 seconds and then it was all liquid so I dumped it and and it was awful.

    You need it to be liquid, then you blend it in to the shake. My emulsifies flawlessly... How odd.... I don't use butter though. I don't like it in things, just on veggies and meats. LOL

    Lol!
    Okay I will try again another time. Maybe it was the butter that messed it up. Or just a fluke. Who knows

    Brand of protein shake, or powder vs liquid shake. It works fine for me in liquids, not so much with the powder/water combo.

    I do a shake with almond milk (right now I'm trying a blend of coconut and almond milks), hulled hemp seeds, LivFit's superfood protein powder, cocoa powder, cinnamon or turmeric, sweetener, and a splash of heavy cream - plus the liquid coconut oil. I do not add ice or anything. I blend it up in batches of three, pour them into bottles, and leave them in the fridge. It stays overnight for the first night and for subsequent nights until I've had the three days worth. I've never had a problem with it separating back out.

    Oh, and the butter will show "solids" in the melted form sometimes, but when you blend it in, it should emulsify as well. Since I use heavy cream, I don't do the butter. Just a little more whey in mine due to the difference in form....

    That shake sounds amazing!!!!!! Yum!
    Maybe the problem is that I didn't "blend" it...I just have a mixer cup that I shake.
    The liquid coconut oil shipped today and so did the MCT oil so I'll be good to go in a few days lol. Can't wait to try it
  • KnitOrMiss
    KnitOrMiss Posts: 10,103 Member
    ttw1211 wrote: »
    KnitOrMiss wrote: »
    ttw1211 wrote: »
    KnitOrMiss wrote: »
    ttw1211 wrote: »
    KnitOrMiss wrote: »
    ttw1211 wrote: »
    Thanks everyone. Tried it today with some butter to add to my protein shake after I microwaved a serving, and it was the biggest fail ever. There was a million clumps of stuff. The top layer got hard and goopy and fuzzy. I had to dump it all out and use my other protein shake. I'm so annoyed.

    You just microwaved the coconut oil and butter - not the whole shake, right? For 15 seconds at a time, stirring as you go??

    Yea just the coconut oil and butter. It was probably about 20 seconds and then it was all liquid so I dumped it and and it was awful.

    You need it to be liquid, then you blend it in to the shake. My emulsifies flawlessly... How odd.... I don't use butter though. I don't like it in things, just on veggies and meats. LOL

    Lol!
    Okay I will try again another time. Maybe it was the butter that messed it up. Or just a fluke. Who knows

    Brand of protein shake, or powder vs liquid shake. It works fine for me in liquids, not so much with the powder/water combo.

    I do a shake with almond milk (right now I'm trying a blend of coconut and almond milks), hulled hemp seeds, LivFit's superfood protein powder, cocoa powder, cinnamon or turmeric, sweetener, and a splash of heavy cream - plus the liquid coconut oil. I do not add ice or anything. I blend it up in batches of three, pour them into bottles, and leave them in the fridge. It stays overnight for the first night and for subsequent nights until I've had the three days worth. I've never had a problem with it separating back out.

    Oh, and the butter will show "solids" in the melted form sometimes, but when you blend it in, it should emulsify as well. Since I use heavy cream, I don't do the butter. Just a little more whey in mine due to the difference in form....

    That shake sounds amazing!!!!!! Yum!
    Maybe the problem is that I didn't "blend" it...I just have a mixer cup that I shake.
    The liquid coconut oil shipped today and so did the MCT oil so I'll be good to go in a few days lol. Can't wait to try it

    Yeah, it can be incorporated that way, but you literally have to shake it up enough to be like a paint can shaker! LOL I used to joke with my bestie that it was a workout just shaking up my shake each day! LOL
  • Dragonwolf
    Dragonwolf Posts: 5,600 Member
    SarahKat81 wrote: »
    I've been debating getting some...I just don't drink coffee and need to figure out another way to use it!! Good luck!

    Coconut oil is hugely versatile. Even if you find you don't like cooking with it (I find it goes great with red meats, but I'm not a fan of it in other places), you can use it for all sorts of other things, like hair conditioner, make-up remover, lotion, deodorant, candles (mixed with beeswax to bring down the temperature, since beeswax burns really hot). The list goes on and on. It's also insanely shelf-stable, so even if you don't go through it very fast, it will last for forever.
  • Lillith32
    Lillith32 Posts: 483 Member
    MCT oil will solve those issues. I've also seen liquid coconut oil in Whole Foods, but didn't read the label so I don't know what's in it. I use MCT oil for BPC, salad dressings and to fry my cream cheese pancakes. I use normal coconut oil for frying meat.