We first read this tip in Real Simple magazine but never actually implemented it in our kitchen. Then we noticed the oily rings on the counter top...
We're pretty neat, but still: Olive oil tends to drip down the sides of the bottle, even if you are a careful pourer. And since we buy pretty big bottles, it has a long time to get slick and messy. When we finally finished the last drop the other night, we noticed barely visible rings on the countertop that aren't exactly wiping up so easily.
Last night we got some extra large (about 6 inches across), absorbent clay coasters as a gift, and we immediately thought about our olive oil. Yes, the coaster we use may have to end up being THE olive oil coaster, but we'll probably see and admire that coaster more than any other in the house. Why not use a good one?
Real Simple also recommends coasters for jars of jam and honey that tend to make your pantry shelves sticky. Read the tip here: Use Coasters to Catch Drips in Pantry.
Buy the coasters above: Meadow coasters, $14.95 from Etsy seller Funky Chicken Design.
Anyone else have a tip for keeping olive oil bottles (and the counters) clean?
Related: Good Product: Teabag Storage Caddy
(Images: Fairway; Funky Chicken Design)
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We use a cruet with a little spigot on top with a lid, and it eliminates this problem entirely. You can get them at BBB or similar stores:
http://www.bedbathandbeyond.com/product.asp?order_num=-1&SKU=12132395
I love those coasters!! I've been looking for some for a while and will definitely check out the Etsy store - thanks! ps - great tip on using them in your pantry, never thought of that before.
Tabitha @ http://www.fromsingletomarried.com
I have a coaster under the honey in the cupboard, too. It's such a mess!
I store my 3-liter containers of olive oil in the pantry, away from the heat and light of the kitchen (which I am told is not good for oils and vinegars). Since time immemorial I have had a small olive oil bottle -- though I can't remember a time when I needed only 16 ounces of olive oil on hand! -- and got
WHAT happened to my comment? I must have missed something in my link tag.
Anyway ... I use one of these these: http://www.amazon.com/Chrome-Bottle-Pourers-Set-6/dp/B0009SZZQW
in the small storebought bottle, which I refill from the 3-liter jug as needed. I do the same thing with the vinegars I like to have on hand while cooking (red wine and balsamic).
I echo the cruet suggestion--I use that for my olive oil. I'm also looking for an oil can like the one sold at IKEA (http://www.ikea.com/us/en/catalog/products/60100445)--just bigger and with a handle. I'm not sure about the food safety of oil and metal. I think that can is tin.
I wipe down the bottle and counter each time I use an oil or vinegar. Along my counter I keep a minimum of 4 oils and 10 vinegars which I use all the time (which is a lot, I know!), so wiping it down as I use it allows me to maintain a more efficient use of my space.
I use a small square wasabi dish that neatly fits the bottle I decant my olive oil into (the big tin stays in the pantry) Every other thing I tried hasn't worked for me. The special pouring spouts dripped more that the bottles did, and the cute metal "watering can" style oil container proved impossible to wash. I currently use a small square dark green jar that originally held balsamic vinegar, the plastic cap and pourer insert easily snap out for washing, and the dark green color helps protect the oil from ambient light
i store my oil out of light, in a cupboard. its supposed to stay fresh longer that way.
i also store them on a tray so that the cupboards don't get damaged or oil stained.
we use a wooden tray that has about a 1" edge (i think i bought it at ikea) to keep our oil, vinegar and salt and pepper (pepper gets everywhere too!) it works great.
http://www.flickr.com/photos/brand-eye/2935807869/in/set-72157607976528335/
World Market has HUGE amounts of small ceramic, glazed plates about the size of coasters.
I decant my olive oil into a glass carafe with a spigot and set it on one of these.
A perfect, good looking solution!
www.thebitterfoodie.blogspot.com