MISTOAluminum Oil Sprayer, Set of 2, Versatile Refillable Aerosol Sprayers for Olive Oil, Vinegar, Lemon Juice, Dressings, and More, Ideal for Cooking, BBQ, and Air Fryers

I've had a Misto for several years, and use it 3-5 times a week. I love it and consider it an essential kitchen tool---and an excellent gift.But sometimes, it just sorta "pees" instead of misting.WHEN IT DOESN'T MIST:> Be sure that the container is only 1/2 or less full of oil. The other half of the space is essential for holding the compressed air which powers the spray.> Remember to hold it upright. It doesn't spray on it's side or upside down.> Be sure the top is screwed on tight so that it doesn't loose pressure between uses.> Pump it up. You've gotta have good air pressure to get a good spray.> Clean it. I've found that about once a year, a lot of gunk accumulates in my Misto. Black gunk accumulates in the piston and cylinder, and probably causes the pressure to leak away between uses. The black gunk is easily cleaned with tooth picks, cotton swabs and paper towels. However the main cause of a poor spray is clogging of the intake filter with an almost invisible fine mat of "threads". Thorough rubbing with a paper towel can clean the filter. A small soft brush (e.g., a toothbrush) may help.> I've tried blowing out the spray nozzle with canned air, which never seems to help---but if the first four suggestions don't fix the problem, then clearing nozzle is worth trying. (I hold the nozzle down, to blast canned air backwards through the nozzle and supply tube to clear any clog.)SUGGESTION> It is worth having several Mistos, and fortunately they come in a variety of colors---so you can tell them apart. For example one for peanut oil for spraying frying pans or grills, and one for olive oil for salads and cooked vegetables. The glistening surface on vegetables enhances the presentation without actually adding much oil.> Personally I would hesitate to use an aluminum Misto for vinegar or lemon juice. However there are glass and plastic models made by Misto and other companies which I consider more suitable.> Despite the photos for some glass/plastic misters, and recommendations by some reviewers, I strongly recommend that you DO NOT put garlic or any herbs/spices in the container---they will disintegrate and clog the filter or the nozzle. Similarly, lemon juice or other juices should be filtered (you can use a coffee filter) before put into a mister.> Click on “Stoney” just below the product title to see my other reviews, or leave a comment to ask a question.

The concept is a good one because it doesn't use chemical propellants that I don't want in my food. It also saves money and reduces waste, because buying oil is a bit cheaper than those spray oil bottles which can also damage pans over time.There are two problems that become evident with use and both are design related. First, in order for the sprayer to work properly, the bottle must only be filled about half way. The metallic outer coating makes it difficult, if not impossible, to tell the amount of oil left in the sprayer and when to refill. Second, the pump is plastic and one of mine broke after six months of average use. I am a one person household and cook on average about twice a day.I hope that the second sprayer holds up a bit better.

The thing that caught my eye at first was the stainless steel exterior. It gives the sprayer a sleek, modern look that matches my kitchen. I use it for olive oil and have used it to replace cooking spray altogether. It’s healthier and better for the environment too, which is something I’m trying to be better about. I’ve been able to reduce my paper towel use with Swedish dishcloths, reusable silicone products are great for eliminating plastic, but I struggled to find a replacement for aerosol sprays - until I found this sprayer!The way it’s designed, the pump is also very easy to use. It’s very smooth and releases a spray every time to push it down. Keep in mind though that you do have to prime it first by pumping it a few times. Also, the bottle can’t be too empty otherwise the liquid won’t be able to travel up. Make a habit of opening the plastic ring on the top after each use, that’ll help to prevent the nozzle from clogging.The most important thing however is to keep the sprayer clean. If it stops working, chances are there’s a blockage or something so you’ll have to wash out the canister. Just use soap and water and give it a good rinse afterward and it’ll work like new. Don’t put it in the dishwasher though, theres a high chance the heat will melt the plastic that’s inside of the stainless steel.Tip: Don’t fill the sprayer all the way to the top! It needs a bit of air in order to build pressure inside so that it’ll work properly. Ideally, you want it to be around half full, that works best.One thing that I would have liked is a way to see how much liquid’s inside without having to twist open the top. That would make things easier but it’s not a deal breaker. Also, I’m not sure if it would be a good idea to use anything heavier than olive oil as it’ll probably clog. For my purposes however, it works great and I am pleased.

Worked okay for a while. The nozzle clogs easily. Pump action for compression of air is easy to use and reliable.