TIP: Uses For An Olive Oil Mister

February 1, 2014 at 8:10 am · Filed under Cooking, Oil-Vinegar-Dressing

The Misto is one of the most popular misters. Photo courtesy Lifetime Brands.

Olive oil misters have been around for several years. They control the portions of olive oil you use, delivering a much lighter—but equally effective—coating than brushing with oil. You save calories as well as the cost of the oil.

Some enthusiasts have more than one mister, to hold different types of oil.

Yes, there are aerosol sprays, which do provide a finer, more even coating. But they come with a cost: chemical propellants and a can that goes into the landfill, both of which are needed to create that fine spray. Not to mention, the slightly chemical flavor and aroma, and the ongoing cost per can as opposed to the small investment in a mister.

Originally, we used one as a diet tool, to cut down on the oil calories on salads. We abandoned that approach in favor of tossing lightly with homemade vinaigrette. So we looked at other ways to use the mister.

WAYS TO USE AN OLIVE OIL MISTER

Balsamic vinegar: cuts down on waste on balsamic and other expensive vinegars

Bread: on bruschetta and focaccia, to keep dough moist when rising

Frying

Garnish: as an annointing oil on fish, meat, and poultry

Greasing pans and muffin tins

Low fat cooking: basting, grilling, roasting, sautéing

Pasta

Vegetables, grilled or roasted

And of course, there’s always salad!

TIPS

Read the directions! The biggest complaint about the misters is that the spray clogs.

Don’t overpump. You’ll end up with oil “in the air.”

Don’t fill to the top unless you’re a heavy user. Over months, the oil can become rancid.

Clean the mister frequently per the manufacturer’s directions.

CLOGGING

Oils vary in viscosity. Vegetable oil, for example, can be thicker than olive oil, and contribute to clogging. Frequent cleaning with hot water and soap is recommended. But clogging is common. Here’s how to avoid it:

Fill the mister just half way with oil.

Twist the top after each use to release the pressure.