Question re: homemade non-stick cooking spray using oil-water-lecithin
This is a repost blog.
Original posts by u/RealisAurelioS on r/EatCheapandHealthy on Reddit
5 March 2023: Question re: homemade non-stick cooking spray using oil,water,lecithin
I want to use the lecithin but I can’t find any recipes online that indicate how much to use? Everything I’m finding is a 4 to 1 ratio of water to oil, respectively, and then they mention one can add lecithin if they want. Okay…but how much?
Has anyone made this and can suggest how much lecithin to use? TIA for your help!
21 March 2023: UPDATE: DIY non-stick cook spray (all natural)
Hi, all. I posted here a few weeks ago asking about liquid lecithin in a quest to create my own non-stick cooking spray. I was asked to give an update when/if I nailed the ratios, and I think I have achieved success.
In case anyone is interested. What you need:
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A Misto oil sprayer (available on Amazon - the cap is used to “pump” air into the bottle which acts as a propellant)
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Liquid lecithin (I use NOW brand sunflower)
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Your favorite oil (I use olive or avocado)
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water
In the Misto bottle, mix 4 tablespoons of water with 1/2 teaspoon of the lecithin. Shake for a few seconds. Add 1 tablespoon of oil. Tighten and shake vigorously for 2 minutes until well mixed (it will take on an opaque/white appearance). Done!
NOTES:
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Why DIY nonstick spray? Oil by itself in my Misto is too thick and ends up coming out in a stream and eventually clogging. The water thins it out but will separate quickly. Hence, the lecithin, which acts as a natural binder for the oil and water. Also, commercial sprayers use alcohol or a benzine-base as a “propellant”. In this version, the propellant is “air” which is pumped into the bottle via the cap. This is why I recommend the Misto. It will give you a continuous mist spray like aerosol after ~30 pumps.
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Why not just use olive oil? While olive oil is a “good fat”, it still contains ~15g of fat per tablespoon. I broke down the nutritional analysis of my DIY spray using the myplate app and it comes out to ~9 calories per 5 second spray. If you are eating to be healthy, then by all means, use olive or avo oil. But if you are eating to reduce bodyfat (different from losing weight), then CICO and macros matter. This spray assists in controlling this. Also, I use All-Clad stainless steel that I keep spotless for my cooking. And food still sticks unless you use sufficient oil. I own quite a few non-stick pans of anodized aluminum Calphalon or All-Clad. While they work better than the SS, they do not have the even heat distribution as 3-ply SS.
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Another poster pointed me to the new aerosol-type spray bottles by Pompeian brand. They are 100% oil using an air “pouch” for propellant. No other additives. I purchased a 3-pak and all the nozzles were defective so can’t comment on it, yet. But it is an option and available online if you don’t wish to muck around with DIY.
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I keep my homemade spray in the frig and the lecithin keeps the solution blended completely - never separates! When I use it, I give a 5 second shake and about 30 pumps for a fine mist spray. Eggs slide right off the SS!
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Lecithin is VERY thick and binding. Be careful. It not only helps as an emulsifier, but it also helps aid in the non-stick quality.
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I imagine you can double or triple the quantity - just make sure you stick to the ratio.
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It is cost effective when you consider the Misto is a one-time purchase for ~$10US, most folks buy cooking oil anyway and the lecithin is ~$15US but will last forever since you only need a wee bit.
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Best of all - it’s 3 natural ingredients! (4 if you count the air lol)
Hope this helps someone.
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