Homemade Non-Stick Spray

Hand Pumped Sprayer

• Several hand pumped sprayers are on the market. Fill a reusable bottle half full with oil and then pump it in order to build pressure for a spray. This eliminates the need for aerosol cans. Some complain that frequent pumping is necessary or that they must be refilled too often. Others take the complaints in stride and find ways to work around them, like cooking with two sprayers so one is always ready to use.

Plastic Spray Bottle

• A cheaper alternative to the hand pumped sprayer is a spray bottle. Choose one that has both a mist and spray option if possible. Since spray bottles are available at most dollar stores, this is the cheapest non-stick spray alternative. Fill with oil and it is ready. The sprayer will need frequent washings because oil buildup will clog them. With the low price point, however, you can afford to have several ready to use.

Recycled Spray Bottle

• If you have purchased a salad dressing spritz, don't throw away the bottle. Wash and recycle it for this purpose. Wash with soap and hot water to remove any scent or flavor from its previous contents. As with the other sprayers, clogging may occur. Simply wash with hot water and dry thoroughly to remove the oil buildup. With the recycled spray bottle, you are not out any additional money, plus you repurposed the plastic bottle.

Dropper and Brush

• If you tire of washing or pumping sprayers, you can get the same effect of non-stick cooking spray by simply brushing oil onto your pans. Use a baster to drop a bead or two of oil in your pan, then smear it to coat with a silicon basting brush. This uses little oil and eliminates the concern of clogged sprayers at inconvenient times. If you don't have a baster, pour drops of oil onto the pan.