The 10 Best Oil Misters
This wiki has been updated 37 times since it was first published in September of 2015. When all you need is a little oil or vinegar to complement a dish or minimize the fats you use in cooking, one of the sprayers on our list will do the job admirably. Perfect for portion control, many are capable of delivering anything from a targeted stream to a broad mist for coating pans or dressing salads, and some even come with built-in filters to prevent clogging. When users buy our independently chosen editorial picks, we may earn commissions to help fund the Wiki.
Editor's Notes
December 30, 2019:
Before diving into the changes made during this update, we'd like to cover a few issues with the category to clear up some of the common complaints misters receive. While oil sprayers are capable of producing very fine, even mists, a misconception is that they will do so with every liquid that you fill it with. Be aware, though, that thick, cool oils (like olive oil) will dispense differently than something thin like lemon juice or vinegar. Oftentimes people are disappointed that their mister doesn't work quite like the Pam cooking spray you buy at the store. This is because most are nonaerosol bottles that don't contain any propellants or soy lecithin (an additive that makes fine droplets disperse more easily), as Pam does. Without propellants and soy lecithin, oil is more difficult to spray and, once sprayed, the droplets clump together rather than remaining fine and separate. The takeaway is that many pump-action sprayers will mist as long as they're used under the right circumstances with the proper amount of pressure.
Another common issue is improper care. Misters need to be cleaned regularly, at least every six weeks, in order to keep functioning. Often it's as easy soaking the top in hot water and white vinegar for two minutes to break down liquids that have congealed in the nozzle.
Finally, it's important for users to know that misters with glass bodies, like the ChefVantage Updated, need to be kept well away from heat sources. If they get too warm, the air inside them can expand and create fragility in the glass, causing it to break. Because they are pressurized, pent up pressure that is not released via spraying can also contribute to this, so it's a good idea to always spray them thoroughly and keep them stored in cool places, away from stoves and grills.
Today's update saw the removal of the Aminno Sprayer, HoooWooo 001, and Hall and Perry, which have all been discontinued. To fill the void, we added the slim LHS Perfect, a set of no-frills bottles that require no priming, the Purelite Continuous, which offers UV protection, and the Sunnyac Refillable, an attractive, budget-friendly option perfect for casual use.
The Best Oil To Use For Each Cuisine
Olive oil is the only one that should be used when making a marinara or pesto sauce for pasta dishes.
There are dozens of natural plant oils to choose from, each with a distinct flavor profile. Depending on the cuisine a person is making, one oil may heighten the flavors, while another may interfere with them. When making a stir fry, for example, safflower, canola, or toasted sesame oils are the best.
Each has a mild flavor that’s also slightly sweet and complements strong Asian flavors like soy sauce and ginger. These three oils also have a high smoke point, which is important when working with a dish like stir fry, which is cooked at very high temperatures. Olive oil is bad for this type of dish because it has a very low smoke point; it will burn almost instantly at the temperatures required.
When sauteing vegetables, one can use olive oil because they’ll be cooking at medium to low heat. Olive oil’s full flavor can also make more bland foods like vegetables taste better, which is why it’s the perfect base for a salad dressing. Olive oil is the only one that should be used when making a marinara or pesto sauce for pasta dishes.
For baked goods, one should use canola, safflower or coconut oil. These are sweet and won’t interfere with the flavor of one’s food, and they fare well at usual baking temperatures. Coconut oil’s nutty flavor works particularly well in nut-based goods like peanut butter cookies, or walnut and raisin muffins.
If one is frying food, it’s especially important to familiarize themselves with smoke points. Making items like funnel cake or onion rings could require cooking temperatures of up to 450 degrees, which can cause some oils to go up in flames. For this type of cooking, one should use peanut or soybean oils.
The Life Saving Benefits Of Healthy Oil
Coconut oil is touted as one of the healthiest foods of its kind by nutritionists and doctors. Research shows that it can help repair brain function in Alzheimer’s patients. Coconut oil is rich in medium-chain fatty acids (MFAs), which help the liver produce readily accessible energy to the brain.
In healthy humans, the brain requires insulin to power brain cells.
In healthy humans, the brain requires insulin to power brain cells. The brain of an Alzheimer's patient cannot make its own insulin, but the special energy produced by the MFAs in coconut oil doesn’t require it. Coconut oil has also been shown to protect the liver from damage, and cure urinary tract and kidney infections because the MFAs in the oil prevent lipid coating on bacteria.
Olive oil contains high levels of powerful antioxidants including anti-inflammatory oleocanthal, which is especially beneficial for people who suffer from cardiovascular disease, diabetes, neurodegenerative disease, and joint problems. The oil also has oleuropein, which prevents LDL cholesterol from oxidation, as well as hydroxytyrosol, which is a phytochemical that can absorb cancer-causing free radicals.
Flaxseed oil is rich in omega-3 fatty acids, which are crucial for the functioning of almost all cell membranes. One Harvard study found that omega-3 deficiency causes between 72,000 and 96,000 deaths in the United States each year. Flaxseed has also been shown to calm the inner lining of the intestines, which makes it incredibly beneficial for people with Crohn’s disease and colitis.
Special Mister Features To Consider
If you regularly cook with oil, then you've suffered from greasy rings on your kitchen countertops since the ingredient is notorious for dripping down the sides of the bottle. This is one of the benefits of utilizing an oil mister. Some mister manufacturers design their product with that issue in mind and offer return systems that catch residual oil from the base of the nozzle and send it back into the bottle. If you find that you often need a steady drizzle instead of a light mist, then look for a mister with a nozzle that has precision pressure. This allows the user to select the amount of oil needed.
This type of mister also eliminates the need for large vinegar bottles on the table.
Olive oil and vinegar are often paired together, which is why some misters have a container for both ingredients. With a spray of the nozzle, the diner can receive the perfect oil to vinegar ratio on their salad. This type of mister also eliminates the need for large vinegar bottles on the table.
People who are counting their calories might appreciate a mister that administers exactly one or two tablespoons, which is about half of the recommended serving size of oil in each pump. This allows you to forgo using a measuring spoon every time you want to eat a meal.
The materials used in the bottle's design are also important. Busy chefs could benefit from a mister that is dishwasher friendly since it will get plenty of use. Nozzle heads made from stainless steel will stand the test of time and won’t alter the natural flavor of the oil. Misters with a non-aerosol air pressure pump can be good for the environmentally aware consumers. Health conscious individuals should look for bottles that are free of bisphenol A. Regardless of the material, transparent misters can be helpful so you can keep an eye on when it comes time to refill the bottle.