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| Filling a smaller bottle |
Decanting
Decanting is not talked about much. In my opinion, it should be. If you buy in 15 ml or larger, adding decanting as a way to increase shelf life of your oils is something you should consider.
Decanting is the process of transferring your oils from one container to another. For preserving purposes, you want to use a smaller container so there is less oxygen in the bottle to react with the oils.
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| Decanted Neroli |
Let me give you some examples. Neroli is a more expensive oil. I do not use it a lot but I want to preserve my investment. I purchased a 5 ml bottle but based on my experience, I know it will take me at least a year to use it. The first thing I did when I received it was to transfer 2 ml into a 5/8 dram bottle for storage. This bottle does not get opened and closed and has very little air space. My 2 ml bottle will be used last as it will have the least chance to oxidize. I then use the original bottle as normal. I have had this for 10 months, and the 2 ml bottle was just opened again. For 10 months, I reduced the amount of oxygen coming in contact with my Neroli, extending the shelf life.
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| Cone cap |
For oils that are generally sold in 10 to 15 ml, depending upon how fast I use the oil, I will decant off 5 ml and keep it sealed until I use the remainder. If I get a 15 ml bottle of an oil I use very slowly, I will decant two 5 ml bottles and store them in the refrigerator. Many of my oils that are stored, are stored with cone caps. These caps are designed to reduce air space while still sealing tightly. These are also excellent for using with syringes as you do not need to remove the orifice reducer.
For most oils, I reuse bottles that I have emptied and just by new caps. I try to replace the plastics for 2 reasons: It reduces the chance of the plastic degrading and contaminating your oil. The plastic parts are hard to completely deodorize. Having a supply of cone and euro dropper style cops on hand gives me flexibility for how I intend to use the oil. If I primarily am going to blend with it, I go with the cone caps. If I primarily plan to diffuse it, I use a euro dropper.
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| Euro dropper replacement caps |
Bottles to decant into come in all shapes and sizes. The amber is the most common if you are using dram style bottles. I have dram bottles ranging from 1/4 dram (approximately 1 ml) to 1 dram (approximately 4 ml). These come with orifice reducers that most pipettes fit through. You can also get them with just a foil lined cap but since we are trying to reduce oxygen, I highly recommend the reducers if possible.
The Euro style dropper bottles are generally available in 5, 10 and 15 ml sizes. I purchased many 5 ml bottles as I do not order many essential oils in a 5 ml size. These two can come in a variety of colors, although the most common color is still amber. I have not purchased 10 or 15 ml bottles recently as I generally reuse my empties and just replace the caps.
It is a common belief that ALL oils are harmed by light. In reality, only a few oils are effected by light. I have no issue with storing my oils in clear glass when I can find it. The oils most effected by light are the 'blue oils' which I store in the refrigerator anyway. I find the beauty of the oils really shows with clear glass. If your oils are stored properly, the color of the glass will matter little. Pick a color you enjoy.
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| 4 oz bottle decanted into 2 oz, 1 oz and 5ml |
I order a few oils in a 4 oz size because it is more cost effective and I will use them (or share them) before their expected shelf life would end. Blood Orange is an excellent example of decanting into a variety of containers to maximize efficiency and shelf life. I decanted 2 oz for long storage in the fridge. I have a 1 oz bottle with a cone cap that I use for blending and refilling my 5 ml bottle. I also have the 5 ml bottle for diffusing. The remainder found homes with my friends. When the I oz bottle is empty, I will go to the fridge and have some fresh Blood Orange waiting for me.
You can find the sizes that work best for you. I have found ordering based upon shelf life and how much I generally use to maximize my buying dollars as long as I take the time to store them properly and protect them from oxidation.
Resources:
Drams
2 dram
http://amzn.to/1LSqkmZ
1 dram
http://amzn.to/1LSq1IM
http://amzn.to/1FrOTCq
http://amzn.to/1ISqZ37
5/8 dram
http://amzn.to/1LSsVNG
http://amzn.to/1NcxdkF
1/4 dram
http://amzn.to/1LStoj7
http://amzn.to/1NcxRPd
Euro droppers
15 ml
http://amzn.to/1XzyCXg
10 ml
http://amzn.to/1NkkONl
5 ml
http://amzn.to/1NkljGZ
Cone caps
http://amzn.to/1NcvfRn
Euro dropper caps
http://amzn.to/1XzAgbm
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