How long does flour and oil last?
I made some cloud dough for my daughter (made of 8 parts all-purpose flour to 1 part olive oil) and I was just wondering how long you think it would last. I am currently storing it in a plastic container with a lid outside with plastic toys in it.
She won't be eating it as it's for playing but I don't want her playing with rancid dough and some might make it's way to her mouth for a taste or because it got onto something else while playing.
Thanks
Best Answer
Oil should last several months before becoming rancid - olive oil specifically is supposed to last minimum 15 months if properly stored. Being played with is not "properly stored", but oil that is expected to be regularly opened for use might be exposed to air a comparable amount to a dough played with for longer but on fewer occasions, and otherwise held in an airtight container. Flour is shelf-stable, especially since it isn't meant to be eaten. Without water in the mix, I don't think there will be enough moisture to spoil badly.
The olive oil may become rancid faster, especially if is is exposed to the open air a lot (I would still expect months). However, olive oil gone rancid from oxidation is not supposed to be dangerous, merely unpleasant.
Obviously you can replace the dough when you notice the difference, if you're worried, better safe and all that. But a taste of rancid oil while playing shouldn't be harmful, maybe not enough to panic over in a small exposure while playing - and may be unpleasant enough discourage the taster from trying to eat any similar playing dough in the future.
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Quick Answer about "How long does flour and oil last?"
In a fridge, the flour has one year, and in the freezer, it has two. Whole-wheat or whole-grain flours have more of the natural oils that can spoil, so discard after one month at regular room temp, three months at cooler house temp, six months in fridge, or one year in the freezer.Can you use 3 year old flour?
Flour has a long shelf life but generally goes bad after 3\u20138 months. White flour may last longest due to its lower fat content, while whole-wheat and gluten-free varieties spoil sooner. You can extend flour's shelf life by sealing it properly or refrigerating or freezing it.Can you use flour 2 years out of date?
So, does flour expire? Long story short, yes. If your flour is really expired, the molecular structure of the powder changes and can potentially produce harmful compounds. But like many other foods, flour will remain good long past its "best by" or "better if used by" date that can be found on the original container.How long does flour last for?
Once you've opened it, keeping flour refrigerated can extend its shelf life to eight months. White flour can last up to one year stored in the pantry, unopened. Open it up and the pantry life decreases to eight months. Throw your white flour in the refrigerator and you'll have fresh flour for up to one year.How long can you keep cooking oil?
Unopened vegetable oil lasts for 12 to 18 months. That said, it doesn't expire right after the printed date. Usually, you can get a couple of months worth of storage without noticeable quality loss. Once opened, it keeps good quality for 6 to 12 months if you store it in a cool and dark place.How long does flour last
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