How to choose a cold press oil press

A cold press oil machine extracts oil using pure mechanical force while keeping the temperature very low. 

The main goal is to avoid heat. Heat can destroy the valuable vitamins, antioxidants, and natural flavors in the oil. This is why “cold pressed” is a mark of quality. There are two main types of machines that achieve this: the screw press and the hydraulic press. We manufacture both types because they are suited for different seeds and business sizes.

The screw press is a continuous workhorse. The hydraulic press is a gentle giant for special, high-value nuts. Both machines are designed to squeeze the oil out while keeping the process temperature below 60°C (140°F).

This is the secret to producing pure, raw, and highly valuable oil. The technology is simple but very effective, and it is the foundation of a premium oil brand.

Table of Contents

• Types of cold press oil presses
• What Are the Real Benefits for Your Business?
• Which Seeds are Best for a Cold Press Oil Machine?
• Cold Press vs. Hot Press: What’s the Difference?
• Common problems with oil presses

Types of cold press oil presses

Cold press spiral oil press

Spiral oil press is a continuous oil press equipment that uses a spiral shaft to rotate and push raw materials, and utilizes multi-stage progressive pressure and frictional heat to achieve oil separation. It is widely used in individual businesses, small oil workshops, and industrial scenes, and can process more than 30 types of oil crops such as peanuts, soybeans, and rapeseed.

• The working principle of cold pressing
• Pre pressing section for feeding: The raw materials enter the squeezing chamber through the hopper, and the squeezing screw rotates to push the embryo inward, forming the initial pressure.
• Main squeezing section: The diameter of the snail root circle gradually increases and the pitch decreases. The embryo generates frictional heat under high pressure, protein denaturation destroys colloids, and oil flows out from the slot.
• Drying section of the cake: By adjusting the gap between the cake rings to control the thickness of the cake (0.25-0.5mm), stable pressure and oil drainage can be achieved.

Korean hydraulic oil press

Hydraulic oil press is a type of oil press equipment designed based on Pascal’s principle (hydrostatic pressure transmission principle), which physically squeezes oil through a high-pressure hydraulic system to achieve oil separation.
Its core advantages lie in its simple structure, convenient operation, high oil yield, pure oil products, and suitability for pressing various oil crops. It is widely used in urban and rural individual processing, family workshops, and small oil factories.

• The core components are made of excellent materials
• It consists of a bottom plate, columns, top plate, press frame assembly, oil pan, etc. It is made of high carbon steel or imported silicon manganese steel, which has undergone high-frequency quenching and heat resistance treatment. It has high hardness and strong wear resistance, and is suitable for high temperature and high pressure environments.
• The squeezing chamber design adopts a multi-stage progressive pressurization principle, with a pressure of up to 55MPa, ensuring one-time fission and separation of oil materials.
• Transmission hydraulic system: using Korean three plunger pump station or domestic high-pressure gear pump, high temperature resistance (sustainable operation above 65 ℃), low energy consumption, stable pressure and long service life.
• The hydraulic circuit integrates relief valves, manual control valves, pressure gauges, etc., supporting pressure self checking and adjustment to prevent overload.

What Are the Real Benefits for Your Business?

The main benefit of a cold press oil machine is that it allows you to produce a premium product that sells for a much higher price. 

This is the core of the business model. You are not competing on volume. You are competing on quality. The health-conscious consumer of today understands the value of cold pressed oil and is willing to pay more for it. This directly translates to higher profit margins for your business. We see our clients succeed with this strategy all the time. They turn common seeds into extraordinary products.

A commercial cold press oil machine is an investment in value. It lets you capture a market segment that is growing every year. You are selling health, flavor, and purity in every single bottle. That is a powerful business advantage that you can leverage.

Feature	The Technical Detail	What This Means for Your Profit
Superior Oil Quality	Nutrients, vitamins, and antioxidants are preserved.	You can market your oil as a premium health product and charge 2-3 times more.
Authentic Flavor & Color	The oil tastes and looks like the original seed.	Your product stands out on the shelf and is preferred by chefs and food lovers.
No Chemicals Used	The process is purely mechanical.	You can sell your oil as “100% pure” and “natural,” appealing to the organic market.
High-Value By-product	The leftover oil cake is also raw and nutrient-rich.	You can sell the cake as high-protein organic animal feed, creating a second income.

Which Seeds are Best for a Cold Press Oil Machine?

A cold press oil machine is perfect for seeds that have delicate flavors and heat-sensitive nutrients. While you can cold press many types of seeds, some are much better suited for it than others. The goal is to choose seeds where the “cold pressed” benefit is biggest. These are typically seeds that are known for their health benefits. Nuts are also excellent candidates because their flavors are easily damaged by heat.

At Fude Machinery, we always advise our clients on the best seeds to start with based on their local market. For example, cold pressed flaxseed oil is in high demand for its Omega-3 content, which is destroyed by heat. Cold pressed coconut oil is famous for its raw flavor and health properties. Choosing the right raw material is just as important as choosing the right oil press machine. Your choice of seed will define your brand and your target customers in the marketplace.

Top Seeds for High-Profit Cold Pressing:

• Walnuts: Rich in unsaturated fatty acids (such as linoleic acid, alpha linolenic acid), vitamin E, and antioxidants, cold pressing can preserve their cognitive and anti-aging effects.
• Oil yield: about 40% -50% (depending on variety and maturity)
• Flaxseed: contains omega-3 fatty acids (alpha linolenic acid), lignans, and dietary fiber.
• Oil yield: about 30% -40%.
• Chia seeds: rich in omega-3 fatty acids, protein, and antioxidants, cold pressed oil has the effect of promoting cardiovascular health and regulating blood sugar.
• Oil yield: about 25% -35%.
• Sunflower seeds: rich in vitamin E, linoleic acid, and plant sterols, cold pressed oil can lower cholesterol and protect skin health.
• Oil yield: about 35% -45%.

Differences in raw materials between cold pressing and hot pressing

Raw material type	Cold pressed seeds	Hot pressed seeds
High value oilseeds	Flaxseed, chia seed, grape seed, hemp seed	Peanuts, soybeans, rapeseed
Thermally sensitive raw materials	Olives, coconuts, walnuts	cottonseed
Low oil yield raw materials	Sunflower seeds, pumpkin seeds (cold pressed to preserve flavor)	Rice bran (requires high-temperature steaming and frying to increase oil yield)

Common requirements for cold pressed raw materials

• High oil content: The oil content of the raw material needs to be ≥ 20% to ensure pressing efficiency and economy.
• Low moisture content: Excessive moisture can easily cause oil to mold or hinder oil extraction during pressing. It is recommended to control the moisture content within 8% -12%.
• Small particles or easily broken: The raw materials need to be processed by shelling, crushing, or rolling to increase the contact area during pressing.
• Low temperature resistance: The oil in the raw material maintains fluidity at low temperatures to avoid solidification and blockage of the squeezing chamber.

Cold Press vs. Hot Press: What’s the Difference?

The key difference is heat. A cold press oil machine does not pre-heat the seeds. A hot press machine requires the seeds to be roasted or cooked before pressing. This single difference changes everything about the process and the final product. Hot pressing breaks down the seed cells more effectively, so it generally gives you a higher oil yield. However, the heat also destroys many of the natural nutrients and changes the flavor, often giving it a “roasted” taste. Cold pressing results in a slightly lower yield, but the oil is pure, raw, and full of its natural goodness.

Your business choice comes down to this: Do you want to produce more volume of a standard product (hot press) or less volume of a premium product (cold press)? For a business that wants to build a strong brand based on quality, cold pressing is the clear winner every single time.

Practical Tips and Suggestions

• Moisture is Key: For cold pressing, the moisture content of the raw seeds is very important. It should typically be between 8-10%. Too dry, and the oil won’t come out easily. Too wet, and you’ll get a milky emulsion instead of clean oil.
• Start Small: If you are new to the business, you can start with a smaller commercial cold press oil machine and upgrade as your sales grow.
• Filter Your Oil: Even cold pressed oil needs to be filtered to remove tiny seed particles. You will need good oil filtration equipment to get a crystal-clear final product.

Common problems with oil presses

Question 1: Does ‘cold press’ mean the oil is actually cold?
Not exactly. It means no external heat is added to the seeds before or during pressing. The process itself generates some friction heat, but a well-designed cold press oil machine keeps this temperature below 60°C (140°F). This low temperature is what protects the oil’s delicate nutrients and natural flavor.

Question 2: Is the oil yield much lower with a cold press machine?
The yield from a cold press oil machine is slightly lower than from hot pressing. This is because heat helps break down oil cells more effectively. However, the business model for cold pressed oil is based on quality, not quantity. The much higher price you can charge for the premium, nutrient-rich oil easily makes up for the small difference in yield.

Question 3: Can I use a cold press oil machine for any seed?
While many seeds can be cold-pressed, it is best suited for seeds with delicate nutrients and flavors like flaxseed, walnut, and perilla. Some hard seeds or those with lower oil content, like soybeans, are almost always hot-pressed or processed using solvent extraction to get a good yield.

Summary and Recommendation

A cold press oil machine is your entry ticket to the profitable world of premium, healthy oils. This technology allows you to create a high-value product that modern consumers actively seek out. The process is simple and chemical-free. It protects the natural goodness of the seeds, resulting in an oil that is superior in flavor, color, and nutritional content. While the oil yield is a little lower than hot pressing, the significantly higher market price for cold pressed oil makes it a very smart and profitable business decision.

Choosing the right machine is about matching its capacity and type to your specific business goals and the seeds you plan to process.

About Fude Machinery

We are Fude Machinery, a specialized B2B manufacturer of oil processing equipment based in Zhengzhou, China. As a factory-direct seller, we offer high-quality, reliable machines at competitive prices. We build everything from standalone presses to complete, turnkey oil mill plants. We have helped entrepreneurs and companies in over 120 countries start and grow their successful oil businesses by providing the right technology and expert support.

Are you ready to create your own brand of premium, cold pressed oil?

Consult Zhengzhou Fude Machinery, a professional technical team with rich experience in oil pressing equipment, to recommend suitable equipment models and product quotations for you.