How to keep coconut oil soft (not hard)?

[cransplash]

I have been loving putting coconut oil on my body post-shower but I always have to microwave it for 30 sec b/c I hate picking at it when it's in its solid state. (I buy my coconut oil in a large container at Costco, and put it into a mason jar.)

Is there anything I can do to make it soft? Doesn't have to be liquid, but I hate trying to use it when it's in its solid state...

[treedimensional]

You have to buy virgin unhydrogenated coconut oil.

[cransplash]

incogneato- I actually whipped this previous batch in my KA mixer, but it still hardened (and I also put in a little vitamin E oil)

treedimensional- I buy pure, unrefined, cold pressed, 100% organic extra virgin coconut oil. Is there a difference?
www.mynaturalmarket.com/Carrington-Farms-Coconut-Oil-Organic.html?utm_source=google&utm_medium=shopping&utm_campaign=us_products&gclid=CJTG9YrCwbsCFVBgMgodrgkAHg

[bimbi284]

Coconut oil is, by nature, gonna be at a solid state unless you keep it in a warm temp. So unless there is someplace in your house that is constantly like 80 degrees, I don't think this is possible.

I'll usually just scoop out the amount I need for a recipe and either put it right in the warming pan that way, or put it in a small ramekin and nuke it. When using it for skin/hair care, warming it in my hands will usually suffice.

[oliviapope]

I keep a small jar in the shower and just run hot water over the closed jar at then end. The heat melts some and I just pour out what I need.

[cransplash]

I totally forgot about whipping it! I did this last year, and it worked like a charm. I just whipped up a batch of this in my KA mixer. It is soft, light, and whipped- so luscious!

Just in case anyone is interested:
- 2 cups of coconut oil, in solid state (I use the one I linked in the post above)
- 2 tsp vitamin E oil (optional)
- tight-fitting jar (I used mason jars)

1. Dump the coconut oil in a KA mixer (use the whisk attachment)
2. Whip on high speed in 1-minute increments until you reach desired consistency. After each minute, scrape the sides of the bowl, and whip again. (I think I did it for 8 1-min increments)

Note:
- I originally only used 1 cup of coconut oil, and the whisk wasn't "grabbing" the oil; instead it was just hanging out on the sides, so I increased it to 2 cups and the whisk eventually caught all the oil
- Most sites said to whip it for a few minutes, but I was noticing that it was putting a lot of the oil on the sides and thus now whisking anything. Once it started getting that whipped consistency, it "grabbed" all the oil
- Coconut oil has to be in a solid state or it won't whip
- I've read whipping it in a food processor or blender won't get the "whipped" consistency

[treedimensional]

Yeah, if you're already using raw virgin oil, room temp is just not warm enough to keep it liquefied. And nobody wants to set the thermostat at 80.
Looks like you found a good solution.

[justcallmekhaleesi]

Dec 21, 2013 9:41:22 GMT -5 bimbi284 said:

Coconut oil is, by nature, gonna be at a solid state unless you keep it in a warm temp. So unless there is someplace in your house that is constantly like 80 degrees, I don't think this is possible.

I'll usually just scoop out the amount I need for a recipe and either put it right in the warming pan that way, or put it in a small ramekin and nuke it. When using it for skin/hair care, warming it in my hands will usually suffice.

This. Also, there's a vent on the side of our pantry, so if I put it on the shelf next to where the air blows through, it will turn to liquid, so I keep it there in the winter. In the summer, it has the opposite effect because it's blowing cold air out. 

[thatgirl]

For those of us too lazy to whip it:

Melt a portion of Coconut oil until liquid, add another oil such as olive oil mix and place into a container.
In the summer months I use 6-8 oz of coconut oil to 2-3 oz of olive oil. In the winter months I sometimes add a little more olive oil.
There is something about the addition of the second oil that keeps the coconut oil from solidifying again.