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There is a substance that most of us use daily that you probably don’t give a second thought to, and that substance is oil. And no, not the kind of oil that goes into your car or the kind that’s used to make so many of the products we use today. We’re talking about the kind of oil in your kitchen cabinet, such as canola, peanut, or olive oil.
Have you ever wondered or wanted to make kitchen oil, but weren’t sure how to do it or where to start? Well, the process of making your own oil is not as hard as you may think, and in this article, we will cover the basics, which include, why you would want to make your own oil, the basic supplies needed, an overview of how it's done, and the different plants you can get oil from.
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Why Make Your Own Oil?
You may be wondering “Why would I want to go to the trouble of making my own oil when I can just run to the store and pick up a bottle?” Here are a few reasons why.
The first reason is cost. The prices of goods are sharply increasing but even during cheaper times, some oils are naturally more expensive than others. Like any do-it-yourself project, the initial cost of getting set up may outweigh the cost of the individual product, but once you get going you should start seeing some savings.
The second reason is safety and health. Some of the industrial practices used to extract oils from plants or seeds are questionable, in terms of the chemicals or materials that the oils are exposed to. These oils are often used in cooking and sometimes topically on the body, so you want them to be as safe as possible. By making the oil yourself you can choose exactly what the oil is exposed to, making it safer and healthier.
Lastly, making your own oil will make you more self-sufficient. As mentioned earlier, these oils have a variety of uses, from cooking to lotion to applying to wood, leather, or metal or as a lubrication for moving parts. If you use these types of oil often it's better not to be dependent on someone else for your supply or your supply may run out.
For example, you could run out of oil because of a supply chain collapse, or due to reasons less severe such as a bad harvest season, or the store in which you shop simply isn’t going to restock that item for a while. But no matter the reasons, if you know how to make your own, you should always have a steady supply on hand.
Basic Supplies
You may need different supplies when extracting one type of oil over another but listed below are some basic supplies that work well in processing a variety of materials.
Oil Press
You will need a seed or nut extractor to separate the oil from what you’re grinding. You can choose from a manual extractor like this one, or an electric extractor like this one.
Oil and Waste Container
During the oil-extracting process, you will need two containers. One for collecting the oil and one for collecting the waste product. You can use bottles or jars for collecting the oil and something as simple as paper plates or an aluminum dish can be used to collect the waste product.
Miscellaneous Items
Depending on the type of extraction you are using or the materials you are pressing, there are a few miscellaneous items that could prove helpful.
- Mesh screens or cheesecloth can be used for filtering
- A funnel can be extremely helpful when transferring the oil from one container to another
- Labels are an easy way to identify oil type and date on bottles
Overview of Oil Extraction
The overall process of extracting oil from plants or seeds is pretty straightforward. Smash or grind the desired material and collect the oil that comes out. From there the liquid can be filtered and then boiled to reduce the water content.
Generally speaking, there are two methods you can use at home for extracting oil, the cold press method or the hot press method. Both are pretty similar in how plant or seed material is crushed but the hot process involves adding a heat source to help the oil flow easier.
A more detailed look at how to extract oils from different sources can be viewed in the next section.
10 Materials to Get Oil From
Canola Oil
Canola oil or rapeseed oil comes from the canola plant or rapeseeds which is part of the mustard family. Depending on the growing conditions, you can expect to harvest the seeds of the canola plant in three to four months.
To learn more about how canola oil is extracted, click here.
Corn Oil
Corn oil is extracted from the germ, or the kernels, of an ear of corn. Corn oil is one of the preferred oils to use in fry cooking because it has a high smoke point. Depending on the growing conditions, you can expect around one hundred days to harvest and make corn oil.
To learn more about how to extract and make corn oil at home, click here.
Flaxseed Oil
Flaxseed oil, sometimes referred to as linseed oil, is extracted from the seeds that are produced by the flax plant. One of the reasons that it’s such a popular oil is due to its high content of omega-3 fatty acids.
For this reason, flaxseed oil is often used as a supplement to help reduce bad cholesterol. Depending on growing conditions you can expect around one hundred days of growing between the time of planting and harvest.
To learn more about how to make flaxseed oil at home, click here.
Oregano Oil
According to the National Library of Medicine, “Essential oils of oregano are widely recognized for their antimicrobial activity, as well as their antiviral and antifungal properties. Nevertheless, recent investigations have demonstrated that these compounds are also potent antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, antidiabetic and cancer suppressor agents.”
With so many benefits, oregano oil may be one of the best oils to keep on hand and it's a small crop that can easily be grown in a pot or indoors. Depending on growing conditions you can expect oregano to take around 100 days to grow before it is ready to harvest and turn into oil.
To learn more about how to extract oregano oil at home, click here.
Peanut Oil
Peanut oil is made from the seeds, a.k.a. peanuts, of the peanut plant. According to Webmd, “Peanut oil is high in antioxidants and good fats that can keep your heart healthy and blood sugar levels down.”
Peanuts require a good amount of space to grow and depending on the growing conditions, you can expect to wait four to five months before the peanuts are ready to harvest.
To learn more about how to extract peanut oil at home, click here.
Almond Oil
Almond oil is extracted from the almond nut, which is produced by trees. According to Healthline.com, “Almond oil contains nutrients such as vitamin E, magnesium, and other minerals. Using it may support your overall health, reduce frizzy hair, and improve your complexion, among other benefits.”
White almond oil has many benefits, you better get a start on growing your almond tree now as it can take five to twelve years before an almond tree starts producing any nuts.
To learn more about how to extract almond oil at home, click here.
Sunflower Oil
Sunflower oil is extracted from the seeds of the sunflower plant. According to Webmd.com, “Sunflower oil is a food, medicine, and skin treatment. It is available in several forms, each with a different formula and with its own health benefits. Sunflower oil is a popular vegetable oil in the kitchen because of its mild flavor and high smoke point.”
Sunflowers are relatively easy to grow but due to their size, they should be planted outdoors. Depending on growing conditions, you can expect to wait up to one hundred days before you can harvest your sunflower seeds.
To learn more about how sunflower oil is extracted, click here.
Walnut Oil
Walnut oil is extracted from walnuts which are harvested from the walnut tree. According to the National Institutes of Health, “Walnut oil showed anti-inflammatory, antitumor, antioxidant, immunomodulatory, neuroprotective, cardioprotective, antidiabetic, and antihyperlipidemic activities.”
Depending on growing conditions, it can take anywhere from five to ten years before a walnut tree starts to produce any nuts. So if you want to start growing walnuts, it’d be better to start sooner rather than later.
To learn more about how to extract walnut oil at home, click here.
Coconut Oil
Coconut oil is extracted from coconuts which are the fruits of the coconut tree. According to Healthline.com, “Coconut oil may help reduce hunger, improve oral health, reduce seizures, and more. However, while coconut oil does have several potential benefits, it may not be great for your heart health.”
If you are in a position to grow one of these trees, expect anywhere from three to eight years before it starts to bear any coconuts
To learn more about how to extract coconut oil at home, click here.
Avocado Oil
Avocado oil is extracted from the meat of the avocado fruit, which grows on a tree. According to Healthline.com, “Unlike most other fruits, it’s rich in healthy fats and is often used to produce avocado oil. Though not as well known as olive oil, this oil is just as delicious. Avocado oil also has numerous health benefits, largely related to its content of antioxidants and healthy fats.”
Depending on the growing conditions an avocado tree can take anywhere from three to thirteen years before it starts bearing fruit.
To learn more about how to extract avocado oil at home, click here.
Wrapping Up
Most of the oils you can extract at home will be considered food grade, which means they can be used for all sorts of different things, whether that be for human consumption or not. Being able to extract and collect your own oils will allow you to keep a steady supply on hand, save some money, and have a safer, healthier, natural source of oil.
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