MikeH wrote:
A search of the forum produces tantalizing hints but no outright statements (that I could find) so I'll ask the question: Is anyone here making their own oil? Not reusing oil but making from scratch. In particular, I'm interested in sunflower oil. Is anyone using the Piteba press? I know about Journey to Forever and the various You Tube videos so I'm looking for first hand experience.
Regards,
Mike
Mike, I forgot to mention that I am "tinkering" with converting a #32 meat grinder into a screw press. So far I have had some set backs but I am encouraged that the glitches can be worked out. My plan is to either publish the plans, offer the conversion pieces as a kit or both. A majority of #32 grinder are universal so the part
should fit any brand. Mine happens to be the stainless steel version with a v-belt pulley so it is motorized but I also have an old
cast iron hand crank version that I don't use for food because it is so old that it needs tinning. I had some special plates made at a
local machine shop to provide the pressing. The problem I am trying to solve is oil/cake separation. I am hoping to wind up with a press that will process a few hundred pounds of seed stock per hour. The plates are 304 stainless so it is food grade. I am more interested in the fuel aspects than food grade oil although it could be used for either. I fabricated an accessory that attaches to the grinder where the ground seed presses a second plate after the forcing plate. If it is successful I will post it here.