Making One's Own Vegetable Spray (hamburgers, grill, broil, butter)

[MICoastieMom]

I always use Pam and similar products sparingly. However, my teenager has suddenly discovered that it is much cheaper to make burgers and the like at home so we seem to be going through quite a bit more; and the can is always empty when I want to use it. Is there an alternative to buying it? Would appreciate any insight, thanks.

[Jaxson]

You can go to a kitchen gadget store they sell "pump" bottles for cooking oil. Essentially you fill the plastic bottle halfway up with the oil then put the top back on. Take the cap/lid that comes with it and quickly "pump" it a few times on the top of the container; it builds pressure in the container. Remove the cap and spray your pan. The nozzle hole area can get gummed up if you don't wipe it with a clean cloth every few uses.

Pampered Chef use to sell one but I don't think they do anymore.

[MICoastieMom]

Thanks, Jaxson; do you use vegetable oil in yours or olive oil?

[moeowo]

Pampered Chef still has it. It's called a kitchen spritzer #2506 Kitchen Spritzer. The 2506 is the item number so if you have a pampered chef consultant you can tell them or just look up pampered chef's website and order online.

[hotzcatz]

You can also use a grill brush and a jar of oil. Or just a bit of oil in the pan and smeared about with the spatula. It doesn't have to be sprayed on. I use the spray stuff when baking since it is easier but for cooking in a pan, it is generally melted butter for flavor or a bit of oil.

For hamburgers, sometimes we would put a bit of salt into a cast iron pan and then just put the burger in without any oil. It may not work with lean hamburger, though.

[Jaxson]

Originally Posted by MICoastieMom

Thanks, Jaxson; do you use vegetable oil in yours or olive oil?

I have olive oil in mine now but I have used vegetable, canola and even corn oil in it before.

moeowo good to know Pampered Chef has theirs back. The one I bought at the kitchen gadget store was cheaper than PC though. Either one is cheaper to use than buying new cans of Pam at the store and a lot more green if you are wanting to save landfill space.

[CoastalMaine]

Our grocery store, Stop and Shop sells their own versions at about half the price of Pam...

If you use ebay at all, Pampered Chef items are a big seller on there...

When I cook a burger, I never fry them in a fry pan anymore! Too much fuss! lol I simply create a 'broiler pan' out of tin foil to fit however many I'm cooking. I turn the broiler on in the oven and broil 4 minutes per side for medium rare. I always sprinkle mine with salt, pepper, and garlic powder. If you want cheese on them, after the 4 min. sides are each done, I top with the cheese, shut the broiler off and put them back under it for usually less than one minute. Perfect every time!! Then you just throw the foil away! No oil used at all!

[andthentherewere3]

I have food allergies to the brand name cans, so I make my own. We also use just a spray bottle designed for cooking oil; ours is filled with olive oil.