I’ll admit, I’ve never really given much thought to those little plastic pull tabs that oil bottles come with. You know the ones. Twist open a fresh bottle of olive oil, peel that seal off, toss it in the garbage, and you’re done. That’s what I did for years. However, after recently learning about what these pull tabs on oil bottles were for, it literally stopped me dead in my tracks while I was cooking, like… wait, have I been doing this incorrectly the entire time?
Pull Tabs on Oil Bottles & Their Second Life
As it turns out, that little piece of plastic you’ve probably tossed away dozens of times has a surprisingly beneficial second purpose. Once I tried this method myself, I couldn’t help but notice the difference.
What Pull Tabs on Oil Bottles Are For (Basic Explanation)
First of all, as far as what pull tabs on oil bottles are for in terms of their primary function, it’s very straightforward. They are used to seal the bottle tight before you open it. By keeping the oil fresh, preventing leaks during transportation, and providing you with an indication that the bottle has not been opened or tampered with, it serves as a hygiene and safety function. There’s nothing creative going on here.
Just about everyone assumes that is where their duty ends. Remove the seal, dispose of it, and that’s it. But here is the thing, although manufacturers typically do not advertise this fact, the little tab can be used again in a very interesting way.
And, no, I am not talking about some sort of “hack” that barely works in the kitchen. This one is practical.
