What is the Oily Residue in My Cooking Pans?

If you cook with margarine in a pan, can there be margarine residues on the pan after washing? When I wipe the pan with some paper towels, there seem to be a slight staining.  -- Ben H.

Hi Ben,

Yes, there certainly can be some residue, especially if the pan is just rinsed and wiped. Oils need lots of soap to break up the molecules and allow them to rinse away.

The residue may be greater when using spray margarines and squeeze margarines, as well as some of the low-fat varieties of "buttery spread" because they have other products in them that contribute an oily feel, but are not the same as real oil in structure.  They mimic the taste well, but the consistency is a bit different and they may be reflected in what remains after cooking.  Some of the spray butters and light butters do tell you not to use for cooking, and I've been told they virtually melt into something resembling plastic when heated.

Also, when using a "non-stick" pan it is advised that you not coat the pan, especially not with a cooking spray.  The directions do say that leaves a residue.

What Oil Is Best For Frying Foods?

Does Palm oil contribute to bad cholesterol when used in cooking or frying? What's the best cooking oil to use if I have high cholesterol? Carol D.

Dear Carol,

Yes, palm oil is highly saturated and this type of fat has been linked to raising cholesterol levels in some people. The better fats to use are polyunsaturated or monounsaturated (the latter helps 'good' cholesterol stay the same while lowering the 'bad'; polyunsaturated fats can lower total cholesterol).
Corn, safflower, and sunflower oils are polyunsaturated and olive and peanut oils are monounsaturated.

Of course, more is not better when it comes to using oils; these oils are preferable to using the saturated fats (palm and coconut oils, as well as animal fats--lard--and butter) but still should be limited when watching one's cholesterol level and to limit fat intake in general.

If you do fry foods, be sure to blot them thoroughly before eating to remove as much excess grease as possible. If you just need a small amount of oil to cook something like an egg, cooking spray is a good alternative because it coats the pan using a much smaller amount of oil.