How to Prepare Flaxseed Oil at Home

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Make DIY flaxseed oil for healthy hair, skin, & more
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Flaxseed oil offers a variety of healthy benefits. It is rich in polyunsaturated fatty acids, which are thought to help with the inflammation associated with rheumatoid arthritis and other inflammatory diseases. To make pure flaxseed oil at home, use a hot or cold press to extract the oil from flaxseeds. Or, make whole flaxseed oil by boiling the seeds in water to release their oils. Because it's prepared with water, though, it is diluted so it isn't a true oil.

Making Homemade Flaxseed Oil

  • Add 1 pound (454 g) of flaxseed to a cold or hot press. Either turn on your machine or crank the handle to extract the oil.
  • Store the oil in an airtight container for 2-3 days. Then, strain it through a sieve to remove any sediment.
  • Or, boil 2 c (473 ml) of water, add 1-2 tbsp (10-20 g) of flaxseed, and reduce the heat to medium-low for 8 minutes. Pour the oil in a container once it's cool.

For popular FAQs on making flaxseed oil, jump to more common questions .

Ingredients

Pressed Flaxseed Oil

  • 1 pound (454 g) flaxseeds

Whole Flaxseed Oil

  • 1 to 2 tablespoons (10 to 20 g) whole flaxseeds
  • 2 cups (473 ml) water
Method 1
Method 1 of 2:

Creating Pressed Flaxseed Oil

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  1. To make flaxseed oil, you can use a hot oil press or a cold oil press. Hot presses are usually freestanding machines that you must turn on and allow to heat up before you can use them. Cold oil presses are usually attachments that connect to a juicer. Turn on or attach your press according to the manufacturer’s instructions.
    • A hot press usually produces more oil because the heat helps soften the seeds to make it easier to extract the oil. It also makes the process go more quickly.
    • You should usually allow a hot press to heat up for at least 10 minutes.
    • A cold press usually requires more time to produce oil. However, it often leads to a better-tasting oil with more nutrients.
  2. You can use any amount of flaxseeds based on how much oil you need. However, if you’re making oil for the first time, it’s best to start with a small amount to get used to the process. A pound (454 g) is usually a good amount to start with. Place the seeds in the hot press’s hopper or the cold press’s feed compartment. [1]
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  3. Some hot presses only require pressing a button to start the extraction. However, others require hand cranking to produce the oil. With a cold press attachment, you’ll need to simply turn on the juicer to start the extraction process. [2]
    • Consult the manufacturer’s guide for the press or press attachment to ensure that you know how to use it.
    • Make sure that you have a container or collection cup set up beneath the extractor’s spout so you don’t lose any oil.
  4. The amount of time necessary to process all of the seeds depends on the amount and the type of extractor you’re using. For 1 pound (454 g) of seeds in a hot press, it will usually take 5 to 10 minutes. With a cold press, it may take up to a half hour. [3]
  5. When you’re finished extracting the oil, turn off your extractor. If you collected the oil in a collection cup, use a funnel to transfer it to an airtight container. Close the container, making sure that it's tightly sealed. [4]
  6. There may be sediment in the oil that you'll want to separate out. If you allow it to sit for 2 to 3 days, the sediment will settle at the bottom so it's easier to siphon off the oil.
    • If your extractor is equipped with a sieve or filter, most or all of the sediment will already be removed so this step may be unnecessary. You may still want to let the oil sit, though, to be sure that all of the sediment is removed.
  7. After a few days, open the oil and pour it through a sieve into a second airtight container. Close the container, and store it in a cool, dry location. It should stay fresh for up to 2 years. [5]
    • If you don’t have a sieve, you can usually just pour off the oil from the top of the container because all of the sediment will be at the bottom.
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Method 2
Method 2 of 2:

Preparing Whole Flaxseed Oil

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  1. Add 2 cups (473 ml) of water to a small saucepan, and place it on the stove. Heat it on high until it comes to a boil, which should take about 5 minutes. [6]
  2. Once the oil is boiling, mix 1 to 2 tablespoons (10 to 20 g) of whole flax seeds into the water. Reduce the stove’s heat to medium-low, and let the seeds cook. [7]
  3. With the pan uncovered and the heat on medium-low, let the seeds boil in the water. The water should become thick and glossy, and you may also notice streaks that look somewhat like egg whites when the oil is ready. [8]
  4. When the seeds are finished cooking, turn off the heat and remove the pan from the stove. Let it cool on the countertop for 20 to 30 minutes. [9]
    • There's no need to strain the seeds from the mixture after it's cooled. They will actually break down during the cooking process, so they soften and release their oils. However, if you prefer to remove the seeds, you can run the oil through a sieve after it's cooled.
  5. When the oil is cool enough to handle, pour it into an airtight container. Close it securely, and place it in the refrigerator for storage. It should stay fresh for up to a week and half. [10]
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Common Questions: Making Your Own Flaxseed Oil

How long does homemade flaxseed oil last?

Homemade flaxseed oil keeps well for about 2 to 3 months when stored in your refrigerator. [11] It can go rancid if it’s not placed in a cool, dark location and kept sealed. [12] Spoiled flaxseed oil typically smells bitter or burnt and tastes unpleasant.

What are the disadvantages or side effects of flaxseed oil?

Flaxseed oil is generally considered safe to consume and can help manage some health problems, like high cholesterol and blood pressure. If you take too much flaxseed oil, it can cause bloating, gas, and diarrhea. It can also interact with some medications, so talk to your doctor before taking it. [13]

Is flaxseed oil healthier than coconut oil?

Flaxseed oil might provide more health benefits than coconut oil. Coconut oil is primarily made up of saturated fats, which raise “bad” cholesterol. [14] Flaxseed oil contains more unsaturated fatty acids, like omega-3 fatty acids, than saturated fats, which can improve heart health. [15]

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Things You’ll Need

Pressed Flaxseed Oil

  • Hot or cold oil press
  • Collection cup
  • Sieve
  • Airtight jar or bottle

Whole Flaxseed Oil

  • Small saucepan
  • Airtight jar or bottle

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References

  1. ↑ https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vFxiwiz7paM
  2. ↑ https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vFxiwiz7paM
  3. ↑ https://www.survivopedia.com/how-to-make-vegetable-oil/
  4. ↑ https://www.survivopedia.com/how-to-make-vegetable-oil/
  5. ↑ https://www.uvm.edu/sites/default/files/media/Oil_Filtering.pdf
  6. ↑ https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iyX-ZpbZ7gE
  7. ↑ https://delishably.com/special-diets/How-to-Make-Flax-Seed-Oil
  8. ↑ https://delishably.com/special-diets/How-to-Make-Flax-Seed-Oil
  9. ↑ https://delishably.com/special-diets/How-to-Make-Flax-Seed-Oil
  1. ↑ https://delishably.com/special-diets/How-to-Make-Flax-Seed-Oil
  2. ↑ https://thecoconutmama.com/does-flaxseed-oil-go-bad/
  3. ↑ https://www.mountsinai.org/health-library/supplement/flaxseed-oil
  4. ↑ https://www.mayoclinic.org/drugs-supplements-flaxseed-and-flaxseed-oil/art-20366457
  5. ↑ https://www.health.harvard.edu/blog/is-there-a-place-for-coconut-oil-in-a-healthy-diet-2019011415764
  6. ↑ https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4152533/

About This Article

Article Summary X

Flaxseed oil is high in Omega-3 fatty acids and has a variety of potential health benefits like reducing inflammation and treating skin conditions. To make your own flaxseed oil at home, you’ll need whole flax seeds. First, boil 2 cups of water in a small saucepan. Then, add 1 or 2 tablespoons of whole flax seeds and cook them on medium heat for about 8 minutes. You’ll know it’s done when the water becomes thick and glossy. At that point, turn off the heat, leave the oil to cool for 20 to 30 minutes, then pour it into an airtight container. Store the flaxseed oil in the fridge for up to 10 days. For more tips, including how to make flaxseed oil with an oil press, read on!

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