peanut butter with oil seperated need advice

once you stir and all, must it remain in the refridgerator because it says to refridgerate on the jar but is that necessary..any help would be appreciated=]

I've heard that you do not 'have to', however, if you don't refrigerate it then the oil will separate again. Probably not as much as it originally was, but the refrigeration still helps.

Also if you keep it in the fridge, you might want to let it sit out for a few minutes before trying to spread it. If you like it very soft. Then replace it.

it's a good idea to refrigerate natural peanut butters (the type with oil separated) because they do not contain the preservatives of normal peanut butter, so it could concievably pick up harmful bacteria if not kept at an elevated temperature to deter their growth.

I'm no expert, but here is what I understand:  the peanut oil will go rancid faster at room temperature than refrigerated.  So, it may depend on how fast you eat is as to how dangerous/unhealthy it could be not to refrigerate it.

Before I open my natural peanut butter, I leave it on the counter overnight upside down.  That way the oil rises to the bottom of the jar and when I open it to stir it makes it easier.  Once I open it, I do store it in the fridge.  But since the oil is all mixed through, I don't find that it is too hard to use when I take it back out.

You could also store it in the fridge upside down.  I have done this, too, but I did put a folded paper towel under the lid because I tend to be a bit messy with the oil (and I worried it might leak a bit... but it didn't seem to).

Hmmm... I've never refrigerated my Peanut Butter. But I use the Natural Skippy Peanut Butter so you don't have to stir it. (There's no oil at the top.)If they say to refrigerate it, you should probably follow the directions just incase.

I only eat natural peanut butter and I've never refrigerated it.  No food poisoning or harm at all.  

I think natural peanut butter tastes better cold... so I always keep mine refrigerated.  It stays fresh for longer, too.

If any food item advises me to refrigerate after opening, I refrigerate it after opening.

=^..^= MOLLY

I used to refrigerate mine until I realized I was throwing a lot of peanut butter out, since no matter how much you stir it when it's cold you still get a lot of dried up stuff towards the bottom of the jar. Now, I don't refrigerate it much anymore. I think it's not much different from a jar of peanuts, just that it's crushed up... and it hardly separates much in the pantry. Plus I use it fast enough that I suppose it's fine.

The key words are Natural and Rancid.  Just like wheat germ, don't put peanut butter on the shelf once opened.  Rancid stuff tastes nasty and for a reason. I also put better less messed with bread in the fridge.

For me, I store it on the bottom shelf of the fridge. I find that if it's on the top shelves, the peanut butter will be too hard. I guess it depends on where the cold vents are.

One bad thing about not storing it in the fridge is that since it is very liquidy at room temperature, a spill = a big mess!

Also, it's just easier to scoop out and spread it and without it dripping all around after its been in the fridge.

The easiest way to avoid dry stuff at the bottom is to store the jar in the fridge upside down for the first 24 hours after you stir it.

I keep mine in the refrigerator as it has no preservatives and since it is highly oil product in a clea jar it should be kept cool and dark. Light and heat destoy nutrients and also cause the oils to oxidize. It is unlikely it will make you sick, but it could alter some of the nutrional aspects and if you kept it long enough it could go rancid, since there are no preservatives.

I find if I take it out a bit before I need it, it warms up enough to be spreadable, or take out what you need and let that warm up, putting the rest back.

For the dried stuff at teh bottom, when I am about half way thru the jar I stir it again. If you will be storing it long term with out opening. Store it upside down. Since oil rises to the top, it will be at the bottom, so when you mix it from teh bottom up the bottom won't be as dry.

I also find if I stir it with the knife when I use it I can keep the oils more evenly distributed as refrigeration doesn't prevent separation, it only slows it down [greatly}.