Don’t Store Olive Oil Next to Your Stove — Here’s Why

The olive oil in your kitchen next to your stove may be going stale faster than you’d expect. If the olive oil stays near heat such as a cooking stove, with time it loses its taste. This is because of light and other factors such as air and heat, which can alter its taste. Cooking Office advises moving your bottle to a cooler, darker spot before it is affected by your daily cooking activities.

Heat Can Affect Olive Oil Quality

Storage conditions matter. Heat exposure causes the oil to break down more quickly, especially if a bottle is stored near a cooktop, oven, or other hot equipment.

Cooking can make the area around your stove hotter. Repeated exposure to heat accelerates the loss of oil quality even if the bottle is not in direct contact with a flame. 

It’s tempting to keep the bottle within arm’s reach of the stove. A nearby cabinet works just as well. 

Keep It Away From Light

Another factor that impacts olive oil over time is light. A bottle sitting out on the counter takes more light than it needs to. 

As a result, it is better to choose a dark kitchen cabinet than an open one. Packaging also matters. Dark or opaque containers provide more protection from light than clear bottles.

Look for a harvest date when you buy; it’s a better freshness guide than a best-by date. This can be a helpful clue about the oil’s freshness. 

Don’t Buy More Than You Can Use

Olive oil is best consumed fresh, so although a large bottle offers a lower price per ounce, it may not always be the best choice if you use the oil slowly. Aim to use the oil within 3 to 6 months of opening. A smaller bottle you finish in a few months beats a large one that sits open for a year. 

Once opened, keep the cap on tight between uses. Heat, light, and oxygen can, over time, accelerate oxidation and loss of oil quality. 

This is especially important for extra-virgin olive oil, which is bought for its flavor and aroma. 

Where Should You Keep Olive Oil?

Select a cool, dark cabinet kept around 57–70°F (14–21°C) that is away from your dishwasher, oven, stove, and other heat sources. Do not place it near a window or in direct sunlight.

It is possible to store the olive oil in a dark, cool drawer rather than in the refrigerator. Refrigeration isn’t harmful, but it can make the oil cloudy and harder to pour, so it isn’t necessary. The point is just to prevent unnecessary exposure to heat, light, and air. 

If the only cabinet near the stove is the one you’re using, make sure it stays cool and dark and isn’t exposed to excessive heat. Moving it a few feet gives the oil a better spot without putting it out of reach. 

Move Your Bottle Away From the Stove

You may not think of the bottle next to your cooktop as a problem, but heat and light exposure can gradually affect the oil’s quality. Tightly seal the olive oil bottle and store it properly in a cabinet that is not exposed to light.

This one simple change in how the oil is stored can help preserve its freshness and taste while keeping it within easy reach when you need it.