Easy Eco Swap – Oil Mister vs. Cooking Spray
Swap out your toxic cooking spray for a reusable oil mister that can be refilled with healthy oils and is better for the planet too.
Cooking spray has been a staple in my kitchen for a long, long time. I’m not even sure how I got hooked. I think it was Martha Stewart – and if Martha says it’s good, it has to be good, right? Most often, I reach for the spray can when I’m baking or making pancakes. Grilling – both indoor and out – calls for a quick spray as well.
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What’s Wrong with Cooking Spray?
Conventional cooking sprays contains more than just oil. They also contain soy lecithin (GMO), mono- & diglyerides (these are transfats – seriously!), dimethyl silicone (do we really want to be eating that?) and a propellant (derived from alcohol, nitrous oxide, carbon dioxide, or propane – Yuck!)
Why an Oil Mister is Better
Yes, it’s possible to keep food from sticking without all those extra non-food ingredients and in an easy to spray format. It’s called an oil mister (or an oil sprayer or spritzer).
Here’s why oil misters rock:
- Better for your health – You can choose your own organic, GMO free oils. I prefer to use olive oil or avocado oil instead of canola oil or other seed oils.
- Better for the planet – Oil misters are refillable and can be used over and over again.
- Cheaper in the long run – An oil mister is not very expensive. It won’t take many refills to make back your investment.
The Misto Oil Sprayer
A great reusable alternative to cooking spray is the Misto oil sprayer. It is made from aluminum, with some plastic parts and it is BPA free. All it takes is a few pumps for the oil to become pressurized and it’s ready to spray. The spray is fine and distributes evenly – just like the can.
Non-Toxic Cooking Spray Brands
If you still prefer to purchase a cooking spray, you’ll be happy to know that there are options that are much better than PAM and other traditional cooking sprays. Here are a couple that I recommend:
Are you still hooked on conventional cooking spray? Ready to make the swap to a safer alternative?
We love our Misto! We have one for organic canola and one for EVOO: http://www.eco-novice.com/2011/10/make-your-own-cooking-spray.html
Love this idea! I will have to try !
Domi x
We have a Misto and it works well but I believe the interior is actually plastic. So I bought another mister by Prepara which is glass and it works great!
Thanks for the tip about the Prepara oil mister – I’m going to look for one of those!
I think I may have found the best one. The Delta Evo Oil Sprayer… 100-percent recyclable; BPA, Latex and DEHP free. You don’t even have to pump it. Just squeeze the handle like a Windex bottle.
I stopped using the cooking sprays and am looking for a mister. In the meantime, I just grease the bottoms with olive oil or coconut oil. It’s cheaper and only requires me to wash my hands after using it so the maintenance is low!
Good for you Melissa! I’m still loving my mister. You have to pump them up each time, but it’s not much work at all – and much better than those cooking sprays!
I have to be honest. I’ve not even heard of an oil mister prior to this article. Very interesting ay to avoid the toxin in our food.
http://bit.ly/1kB0Q50
A friend told me about the Misto nearly three years ago. I found mine in the kitchen accessories aisle at Kroger. I’ve used that original one on a nearly daily basis since then to dispense my Colavita EVOO. I have not had any clogs. Follow the directions and do not overfill. I put mine in the dishwasher and I’ve had no problems with it. It’s a great tool. I wouldn’t be without it.