I have several recipes that call for it for frying, but how successful that is depends on how it's processed. Some coconut oils remain very coconutty, while others, like the LouAna that I use, are quite neutral, with no hint of coconut taste.

I use it in recipes that call for it, and in the penitential oatcake that I use in place of bread, but it's more of a liquid fat than a solid one, so you need to take care when subbing it for something like shortening. Where I live it's only solid one or two days a year. You could never cut it into flour, for example.

ETA You can tell how neutral it will be just by smelling. If it smells like coconut, it will taste like it, at least a little.

Thank you, writersblock. I never use shortening, was only describing the substance. This has a very light hint of coconut smell but once rubbed into my skin it's hardly discernible.

My understanding is virgin coconut oil generally has a coconut taste. Refined coconut oil does not. You can use it for cooking or baking. I like the taste of coconut, but not with my eggs. It's good in my oatmeal cookies though.

It's really great for dry skin too, better than any skin cream I've ever used.

laceyvail - that's what I've been using it for!

The extra virgin which has the taste and aroma of coconuts I like to use in baking. The refined is excellent for high temp frying, I use it for french fries.

ritaweeda - do you substitute it 1:1 for butter or oil?

I'm not saying I wouldn't but I've never done it. Whenever a recipe calls for shortening I just use the coconut oil instead. The one thing about the coconut oil is, if you add cold liquid it hardens it, so make sure if you use it say in a pastry or biscuit dough, etc. that you cut it in well before adding the liquid. I've made wonderful biscuits with it.

My understanding is virgin coconut oil generally has a coconut taste. Refined coconut oil does not.

Yes, that's what I meant by "how it's processed" in my reply, although I sure didn't express it well.

Ritaweeda, down here you could never keep coconut oil solid long enough to cut in, even if you froze it. It would melt as soon as it hit the flour. You can use it for baking (vide penitential oatcake) but not create flakiness.

I use it in pie dough and for flour tortillas. It does give the tortillas a slight coconut flavor, but I'm okay with that. I like the coconut flavor in pie dough. I pretty much always substitute it for vegetable shortening in almost any recipe, and I plan to try it in tamales, the next time I make them. I've not used it for frying, as I use avocado or grape seed oil for that.

I've decided to keep it close by for moisturizer...my nails and cuticles have never been this nice forever. I garden and cook - I've never had a professional manicure but this stuff really works for me.

I used to use coconut oil for sunburn, but it's been a long time since I've been in the sun long enough without sufficient sunscreen to get burned. It is a very good skin moisturizer, if you have dry skin.

The coconut oil has been an elixir for my nails, cuticles and my dry skin. I can't sing praises enough for it. I am going to try it on my hair as a precursor an hour or so before a shampoo. That was another use of it I read about. So much for stir fry lol.

Did you know coconut oil is good for pets too? And guess what? It's not uncommon for them to eat it if you let them. I looked up if it is safe when I found out my cat wanted it. She kept trying to lick my hands which were drenched in the oil (I wash my face with it).

Moisturizer around my eyes at bedtime. Works great.

I don’t like to cook with it.

rob333 - we bought the jar of coconut oil at the advice of our vet to use it as a vehicle to give our dog her meds she's not supposed to chew (timed release)....but she didn't like the stuff. We have success with peanut butter now. I rarely bake, so I think I will just continue using it as a moisturizer and will most probably continue to buy it for that reason.

Thanks for the tip about the eye moisturizer, littlebug.

Yep Refined coconut oil has zero taste or scent...the virgin UN-refined tastes and smells like fresh coconut.. I once used it as a deep treatment on my hair. It took forever to wash the oil out. I had to resort to Dawn lol or remain a grease head.

I like the UNrefined since I love the scent of coconut. I'm another one that uses it on my trouble spots, cuticles, elbows, knees, and eye area. Its really magical in its benefits for these areas.

It will melt at about 76 degree F in the container. Oh its also great as a lip moisturizer.

mamapinky - I looked at the jar mine is unrefined. It has a mild scent which is pleasing. And how timely your tip for lip moisturizer as I've misplaced my Burt's Bees and have been craving some lip hydration. It's nice. Thank you.

Seagrass your very welcome.