How do I pour from a dutch oven without making a mess?
This is a seemingly simple question, but I can't seem to find good helpful techniques or suggestions for this.
After frying in a dutch oven (or any other pot with little or no lip) and letting the oil cool down a bit, I like to store the oil in the container it came in. Whenever I do so, even with a funnel, I end up spilling almost as much as I save. Typically it runs down the side of the pot instead of pouring out.
Now this is a problem with trying to save any liquid (e.g. soup, sauce). Is there a trick that doesn't involve making a mess?
Best Answer
Some dutch ovens are easier to pour from than others; it depends on the how the edge or lip of the pot is curved.
If you have one that is not easy to pour from, minimize the amount of pouring that you do by transferring the content out with a ladle... or since ladling can be slow.... I use a glass measuring cup as a scoop. These tend to pour quite well, hold a lot (I have three sizes, including one that holds a quart or liter) and have a handle so you don't get your hand messy.
Once most of the content is transferred, you can pour the last part. Usually this will not make as much of a mess, but if it does still drip down the side of the oven, there was much less of the product involved.
Lastly, do the transfer in or over the sink. This won't save you from having some of the content escape, but it does make cleanup much, much easier.
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How do you pour oil from a Dutch oven?
Use an oven mitt to remove the dutch oven from the grill and let it cool just enough so you can touch it. Rub vegetable shortening all over the inside and outside of your dutch oven and its lid. Use plain Crisco shortening, or canola oil, or flax oil - do not use butter or flavored shortening.How do you pour cooking oil without spilling it?
As per the TikTok above, remove the plastic inner layer and flip it upside down. Be sure not to let the plastic drop inside; otherwise, your pasta may be plastic. This valve allows you to control the amount of oil you pour in.How do you pour liquid out of a pan?
Place a lid on the pan. Place it slightly askew, so there's a small opening on one side. Use potholders or oven mitts to hold down the lid while you pour out the liquid. The lid reduces the amount of liquid that pours out, making it easier to aim.How do you use a Dutch oven on the stove top?
The key to using a Dutch oven on a stovetop involves slow and consistent cooking. Do not place an empty Dutch oven on a stovetop. Cook it on low to medium heat and let the Dutch oven gradually heat up. Once your Dutch oven is heated up, continue cooking on low heat.This Secret Trick Will Stop Splattering Oil Forever
More answers regarding how do I pour from a dutch oven without making a mess?
Answer 2
Ladling can be slow, but I recommend it as well. Part of the reason why its difficult to pour is because the Dutch oven has no corner from which you could make a spout. If you had a big square container, one with enough open surface area that you don't have to be precise, pour it there first, then pour from there.
Also, rather than slowly angling the pan, which will cause the liquid to drip down the sides first, try quickly getting it to the 30ยบ-or-so angle. It takes confidence :)
Answer 3
I have the same problem with my Lodge dutch oven, and the large measuring cup seems to be the best way to do it.
However you end up doing it, as a tip for the oil-running-down-the-side-of-the-bottle problem, Get a couple large rubber bands and band some folded paper towels around the bottle about 1/3 of the way down. That absorbs a good amount of the drips, usually all.
And ALWAYS do it in the sink or a thick plastic bag, in case of a catastrophic slip.
Answer 4
Disclosure: I asked the original question without intending to post the following answer. AND I have not attempted this myself. But it seems different enough to be worth mentioning.
The discussions here mentioned the lack of a spout as being the cause of the messiness. This is undoubtedly true, as I don't have this problem (as much) on my cookware that has spouts. So I decided to look online to see if it's possible to put a spout on a pot temporarily.
I found this: a slip-on pour spout and a clip on Spout, monotasking devices intended to provide a spout to pots and pans that don't have one. Reviews seem mixed to negative, so YMMV. But this is a solution that doesn't involve a ladle or cup.
Answer 5
Let it cool, then siphon the oil with a small hose or tube.
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