I bought a giant can of Crisco last month at Costco. I know some of you may hate it, but I LOVE it. I really only use it for one thing: my Perfect Pie Crust Recipe {and it seriously makes a mighty fine pie crust!}. But, did you know that Crisco is good for all sorts of other things {and none of them have anything to do with cooking, so it’s perfect for those of you who don’t like the thought of ingesting it}. Here are 15 awesome ways to use up that Crisco, in no particular order of awesomeness:
Chapped Skin: Winter months are harsh on skin. If you start to dry out or crack, rub a little Crisco over the dried areas and BAM, instant relief.
Finger Paint Alternative: Place a cup or two of Crisco into a gallon Ziploc bag. Seal and lay flat to evenly spread out the Crisco. Then let your little ones go to town drawing and practicing letters and numbers by putting pressure on the bags with their fingers. It’s a great preschool tool, although I’d recommend reinforcing the opening with packing tape or duct tape to prevent a mess!
Survivor’s Tool: If you are ever stranded on a dessert island, Crisco would totally come in handy. When melted into an oil, is can be used as fuel. If you soak it in a piece of cloth, melted Crisco will act like a candle.
Grease a Snow Shovel: Rub some Crisco onto your snow shovel before tackling your driveway and the snow will slide right off.
Cracked Heels: Your feet take quite a beating and that can often lead to dry, cracked heels. Before bed, slather your heels in Crisco, throw an old sock over them and climb into bed. In the morning, the difference will surprise you.
Squeak Remover: A little Crisco works like WD-40. Fix those squeaky hinges or doors with a light layer of the greasy stuff!
Rain Boot Shiner: Clean those rubber boots with a little Crisco and a rag. They’ll shine right up!
Baby’s Bum: If your child has a mean diaper rash, spread a little Crisco on that bum when you change their diapers. Works to help keep moisture off their little bums and clears that rash right up!
Clean a Lock: If you have an old lock you’re struggling to open, rub a little Crisco onto the end of the key and jiggle it around int he lock. Should loosen all those old, crusty bits up a bit and make the unlocking process much easier.
Grease a Pan: Instead of buttering your cake pan before flouring it, spread a layer of Crisco instead. Works just as well and is a cheaper alternative.
Season Your Cookware: If you’ve recently purchased new cast iron, you know it has to be seasoned. Rub the pan with some Crisco, bake it at 200 degrees for about 2 hours and you’re on your way. You’ll have to do this a few times, but then you’ll have an awesome cooking tool!
Shine Your Headlights: Use Crisco to shine up dull headlights. Winter is the worst for gathering grime and bugs on your lights, but that same winter weather requires great visibility to navigate sometimes treacherous roads. Use an old rag to rub some Crisco onto your lights, and then rub off with a clean cloth.
Gum Removal: The inevitable gum in the hair event can be helped by rubbing some Crisco into the hair to help remove that nasty gum. You’ll have to wash your hair thoroughly after, but it will help slide that gum out!
Slide -n-Slide Assistor: You can make your own slip-n-slide with a tarp, some Crisco and a little water. Use the Crisco to lube up the plastic and then go to town sliding away. Also, if you have an old slip-n-slide that’s a little worn for the wear, grease it up with some Crisco and it will be good as new.
Season a Cutting Board: Just like the cast iron, Crisco will help season your new wooden cutting board {or bowl or spoon}. Simply rub some on, leave overnight and go on your merry little way.
What do you use Crisco for? Have I missed any of the great uses?
Laura says
I use it to thin melted chocolate (almond bark) when dipping sweet treats.
nancy from mass says
Like you, I also love Crisco! 🙂
L.L. says
I too use Crisco. Try using the butter flavor one. I use it 1/2 and 1/2 for butter in my sugar cookies and pie crust. Flaky and not too much spreading like all butter does.
Misty Bartley says
It’s fat, so you can use it to make soap… even if it’s too old or expired to be used in food.
Deborah says
Could you also use coconut oil in the same ways? I do have an unopened can of Butter flavored Crisco. Can’t remember the reason I bought it though. LOL
Lissa says
Nipple cream for nursing mothers! I kid you not. It was recommended by a lactation consultant. I tried many other creams for raw, sore nipples and the only one that truly worked was…Crisco! It also doesn’t harm the baby– no perfumes or dyes like some creams have. I put some in a snack size ziplock baggy, kept it near the chair where I nursed and applied Crisco after every nursing session. It was da bomb diggity.
Jennifer says
I love, love Crisco in cookies. I am trying to cut down on it because it’s hydrogenated. Bad for the heart. But i do love it. That said, I hate to be contrary, but I wouldn’t use Crisco for most of the other uses you suggest. Crisco becomes sticky when it dries out, so I wouldn’t put it on door hinges. According to a fantastic article on sherylcanter.com about the science of seasoning cast iron, linseed oil makes the very best, smoothest seasoning coating on cast iron cookware; Crisco hasn’t ever made the dreamy coating I’d hoped for despite my research/efforts. And whereas I would possibly put it on dry feet, covered with socks, I wouldn’t put it on my hands unless I was doing an overnight moisturizing, again covering my hands with socks–you’d get everything greasy you touch even with the littlest bit of Crisco on your hands during normal daytime activity. Again, sorry to be contrary.
Deb says
If you are going to handle hot peppers, and don’t have gloves, rub Crisco on your hands before you start. My daughter got this tip from some lovely Mexican ladies she worked with when she lived in Laramie, WY. I was skeptical, but I tried it and found that it really did cut down on that numb, tingly feeling you get when working with hot peppers sans gloves.