While a great bottle of olive oil outfitted with a spout will see you through many cooking endeavors just fine, an oil sprayer is even better, as it mists a fine layer of oil over your food rather than pouring a big glop. With one of these, you won’t waste any oil, and as an added bonus, a sprayer looks nice on the countertop since it keeps your supply in a manageably-sized and relatively attractive container.
Best Overall
Misto Oil Sprayer
- Easy to operate
- BPA-free
- Available in a variety of styles
- Even sprays
- Can be difficult to clean
The Misto sprayer is about as close as you’ll get to the commercial aerosol sprayers—without the addition of any potentially harmful propellants.1
It’s easy to use: The pump-style cap requires just two steps for operation. Simply pump the container and then press the valve on the pressurized sprayer to release the mist. It’s highly versatile, too. You can use the sprayer for all of your favorite oils, as well as vinegars, citrus juice, sherry, or marsala wine. If there’s any downside, it’s that this particular sprayer has quite a few parts to clean. Thankfully, you only need to give it a thorough scrub-down every six to eight weeks.
Misto also has the sprayers in a number of other materials besides frosted glass, including brushed aluminum and tritan plastic.
Size: 2 x 7.75 inches | Oil Volume: 7 ounces | Spray Type: Hand pump to build pressure; no aerosols | Materials: Frosted glass bottle; also comes in stainless steel and plastic
Best for Grilling
Evo 18-Ounce Reusable Oil Sprayer
- Large capacity
- Non-aerosol
- Durable design
- Consistent sprays
- May retain odors and flavors
If you plan to use your oil mister for grilling, it’s extremely important to have something durable—the last thing you want is broken glass on your patio. This spray bottle fits the bill since it’s made from plastic. Don’t worry: It’s latex-, BPA-, and DEHP-free.2
Another important characteristic: At a whopping 18 ounces, the sprayer is nice and large, so you can use it for spritzing large cuts of meat with more than just oil (think vinegar sprays for pork butt and more). Like other oil sprays by Evo, this one sprays in vertical and horizontal fan patterns for optimum coverage and control. You’ll know exactly how much oil is being deposited and exactly where it’s going.
“I truly cannot sing the praises of the Evo Oil Sprayer loud enough,” says The Spruce Eats writer Allison Wignall. “I’m not exaggerating when I say this sprayer changed my cooking game. With just a few squeezes of the trigger, I could evenly coat an entire pan, bowl of veggies, or baking sheet. No more drowning food, no more oil burns, no more waste.”
In testing, the Evo Oil Sprayer impressed with its consistency. The plastic also allows you to see the oil inside so you know when it needs to be refilled. The minor downside is that the plastic version of the sprayer isn’t dishwasher-safe, but a quick sudsy rinse will clean it right up.
Size: 5.75 x 2.5 x 9 inches | Oil Volume: 18 ounces | Spray Type: Trigger spray nozzle | Materials: BPA-free plastic
Best Budget
Wayeept Oil Spritzer
- Sleek design
- Easy to hold and use
- Comes with cleaning brushes
- Compact
- Mist isn’t always consistent
There’s a lot to love about this sleek oil sprayer. The sprayer has a host of great design features, especially for the budget-friendly price: a slim and easy-to-hold food-grade glass bottle, a stainless steel nozzle, and an anti-slide design.
There’s no need to spend extra time pumping, either. To operate the oil mister, all you have to do is gently press the button. The result is a fine mist that perfectly coats food, whether you’re spraying olive oil or another cooking oil, vinegar, or soy sauce. To add to the value, the sprayer also comes with two cleaning brushes (one small and one large), as well as an additional tube to increase the item’s usable lifespan.
Size: 1.6 x 7 inches | Oil Volume: 4 ounces | Spray Type: Hand pump to build pressure; no aerosols | Materials: Glass bottle, stainless steel sprayer
Best Glass
Purelite Continuous Spray Olive Oil Mister
- Durable
- Dark glass to prevent spoilage
- Easy pouring and cleaning
- UV light protection
- Have to pump it 30 times
The pretty blue color of this glass bottle does more than add to the aesthetic—it helps darken the bottle to keep sunlight out, prolonging the shelf life of the oil inside. The glass is also nice and thick and coated with a safety film to prevent breakage in case it slips out of your hands while you’re working.
Thanks to its pump-style operation, the sprayer deposits a very thin, even mist that’s perfect for a wide range of uses, including coating food or baking pans. To use, simply raise and lower the cap to pump up the bottle about 30 times until you feel resistance. Then, when you press down on the nozzle itself, it dispenses the perfect coating of cooking oil.
Size: 2.2 x 7 inches | Oil Volume: 4 ounces | Spray Type: Hand pump to build pressure; no aerosols | Materials: Glass bottle with light-blocking finish
Best Large
Evo Stainless Steel 16-Ounce Oil Sprayer
- Ergonomic trigger
- Releases the same amount of oil with each spray
- Large capacity
- Non-aerosol
- Pricey
The Evo Stainless Steel Oil Mister is a very popular option because it delivers a nice, even coat of cooking oil without the hassle of pumping before spraying. (And, no, it doesn’t require any propellants, either.) The spray bottle—an 18/8 stainless steel bottle with a BPA-free plastic sprayer—has an easy-to-use ergonomic trigger.2 Simply pull once to release the cooking oil inside the bottle. Even better, each pull releases a very reliable 1/4 teaspoon of oil, so you know exactly how much you’re depositing onto your food or cooking surface.
Coverage is nice and even, too—the nozzle is specially designed to spray in a vertical or horizontal fan spray pattern that allows for more control and more precise application. Another trait to love? The oil mister has a very large 16-ounce capacity, so avid cooks won’t have to constantly refill the bottle. The larger size comes with a larger price tag, but this isn’t a deal breaker for us.
Size: 3.5 x 7.75 inches | Oil Volume: 16 ounces | Spray Type: Trigger spray nozzle | Materials: Stainless steel bottle; plastic sprayer
Best for Salads
NORBASE Olive Oil Sprayer
- Great value
- Comes with helpful accessories
- Bottle has measurements
- A bit top heavy
If one of the primary reasons you want an oil sprayer is to evenly dress salads or veggies, we love the idea of this two-pack; it affords you the opportunity to fill a second bottle with your favorite vinegar. Of course, you could also use the set for two different types of cooking oil, if you regularly cook with more than one type. Either way, it’s a nice luxury to have two different bottles on hand—no cleaning, drying, or refilling necessary.
We love that the side of the glass bottle has measurements on it, too. This makes it extremely easy to whip up your favorite dressing directly in the bottle if you prefer something a little more flavorful than a duo of olive oil and vinegar. The set presents an excellent value. It also comes with a basting brush, a cleaning brush, and a funnel for easy filling. Keep in mind that the tops are slightly heavy—meaning the bottles can fall over.
Size: 2 x 7.5 inches | Oil Volume: 3 ounces | Spray Type: Trigger spray nozzle | Materials: Glass bottle, stainless steel sprayer
Best for the Air Fryer
CHEFVANTAGE Olive Oil Mister
- No aerosols, so no gummy cooking residue
- Stainless steel
- Easy to clean
- A bit large to maneuver
You have to be particular when it comes to what type and how much oil to use in an air fryer. Generally, you don’t need a lot of oil, but you do have to be sure to evenly disperse it—that’s where a good oil sprayer comes in handy, and this stainless steel option is the one many people turn to.
If you keep it well primed, it will deliver the fine coating of oil you need for excellent air frying—that judicious spray of oil is what gives you that crunchy, crispy, satisfying end result. With two in the pack, you can use one for pure oil and the other for flavored or whatever works best with your cooking style. These are a bit rounder than other oil sprayers on our list, and might be a tad bit difficult to grip for those with grip or mobility issues in the hands.
Size: 2 x 8 inches | Oil Volume: 7 ounces | Spray Type: Hand pump to build pressure; no aerosols | Materials: Stainless steel
Final Verdict
The best overall winner on this list is the Misto Oil Sprayer because it’s budget-friendly, aesthetically pleasing, and functional. But if you want your choice of size, color, and material, the Evo Oil Sprayer has many models to pick from.
What to Look for in an Oil Sprayer
Material
Generally, oil sprayers come in three different materials: glass, stainless steel, and plastic. The most common type of container is glass since it’s naturally chemical-free, doesn’t absorb smells or flavors, and has an elegant aesthetic. Stainless steel is also a popular choice because it’s extremely durable, plus has a protected interior that makes the oil less susceptible to degradation. Plastic is also a nice option for busy kitchens because it’s lightweight, durable, and easy to clean. It’s also budget-friendly. Unfortunately, though, plastic can retain odors and flavors over time.
Size
If you use a lot of cooking oil, consider a larger vessel. If, on the other hand, you reach for the oil only every so often, choose a smaller sprayer. This way, your oil will stay in good condition for much longer.
How Spray Is Activated
Though a simple kitchen tool, the type of sprayer varies from bottle to bottle. Non-aerosol oil sprayers are considered superior since they don’t contain any potentially harmful propellants. There are even more specific styles, though. Some oil sprayers use pressure valves, while others use trigger mechanisms or pumps. In general, they are all effective—it’s more about the quality of the particular model you’re considering.
Style
Though function is more important than fashion when it comes to an oil sprayer, style is still something to consider. If you use cooking oil frequently, you may end up just leaving the sprayer out on the counter, so it ought to look nice. There are a ton of styles, shapes, colors, and materials available, so you should be able to find one that matches your personal aesthetic.
FAQs
What cooking oils can you put in an oil sprayer?
You can put any type of cooking oil into an oil sprayer. Just be sure to thoroughly clean the container in between uses if you’re putting a different type of oil in. If you plan to switch between oils, it’s also worth investing in a glass or stainless steel option, since plastic can retain odors and flavors.
Where should you store your oil sprayer?
To keep your sprayer in tip-top condition, wipe the nozzle after use to prevent clogs. And if you’re using a glass or plastic oil sprayer, be sure to store it out of direct sunlight and away from heat sources, as this can cause premature degradation. In general, it’s best to keep your mister in a moderate and dark environment—like inside one of your kitchen cabinets.
How do you clean your oil sprayer and how often should you clean it?
To keep the nozzle from clogging, it’s important to clean your oil sprayer regularly. Consult package instructions for best practices regarding the model you own, but in general, this is what the process looks like: Fill the empty bottle with warm, soapy water, shake, and spray a few times. Rinse well with warm water, spray a few more times, then let dry and refill.