Make Your Own Coconut Oil

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Hi, This is my first post. You can make your own virgin coconut oil. It's not hard - but you need coconuts of course!! Take a look how to make coconut oil (from Central America)

Make Virgin Coconut Oil (http://central-america-forum.com/forum-topic/how-make-virgin-coconut-oil)

Enjoy!

[otterbob]

I do not want to be mean or make a new member think something bad, but , the link about making coconut oil is pretty bad.
If they need 20 small coconuts to make about a cup full of oil they do not know what they are doing !
My wife is from the Philippines and makes her own coconut oil.
Here is an easy way to get good usable amounts of coconut oil without coconuts here in the USA.
I wish my wife would wright this, but,,, she just stops by the store and gets a can or two of coconut milk then slowly heats it in her wok or small pot until the oil separates, she then spoons off the oil and then makes goodies from what is left in the pot !

Otter Bob

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so exactly how many tablespoons of oil are in one small coconut? ???

[otterbob]

so exactly how many tablespoons of oil are in one small coconut? * ???

Much more then you would think.
If you review the chart on this page:
http://www.piteba.com/eng/index_eng.htm

You will notice they claim 2.04 liters from 3.11 KG of copra.
Here in the USA we would say “about 2 Quarts from 7 lbs”

Otter Bob

PS:
I think you will be pleasantly surprised how much oil you can get from a few cans of coconut milk.
Give it a try !

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Nice links and nice knife and fox, by the way.

OK, so 2kg dried copra = 2 liters oil
2kg dried copra = 4kg fresh copra
("Drying copra in a solar hybrid dryer reduces the moisture content from around 50% to 7% after 71 h of continuous drying", http://www3.interscience.wiley.com/journal/117989067/abstract?CRETRY=1&SRETRY=0")
4kg fresh copra = 36 coconuts (presumably large).
("This year's yield in a 2 hectare coco farm in Zamboanga (which I just bought and intend to rehabilitate next year): Nuts harvested: 9,700; Actual Copra Yield: 1,148 kg." http://www.pcarrd.dost.gov.ph/message/viewtopic.php?id=1072)

36 large coconuts = 80 small coconuts

2 liters = 8 cups

So if the estimate is correct, it appears the efficiency is around 50% with the process, compared to the cool oil extractor you noted. Apparently, though, the yield varies considerably based on variety, so it's unknown to what extent that accounts for lower yield in this case. (http://www.mb.com.ph/issues/2006/06/11/BSNS2006061166487.html)

[otterbob]

Kumusta, normal

It sound like you are doing your homework.

I do not believe that the “yield varies considerably based on variety” is as important as the *“yield varies considerably based on extraction method”.

The coconuts produced on my wifes property in the Philippines are used for family use and rarely sold.

My point in the original post was that link about the authors method of home production needed to be questioned because they only got about a cup of oil from 20 large coconuts.
Extracting oil is labor intensive even extracting the copra is labor intensive, so you would want to get as much of the oil as you can for the labor you expended.

Although we currently use a large pot to "cook out" the oil, I plan to purchase one of these little expellers http://www.piteba.com/eng/index_eng.htm for our home in the Philippines and one for our homestead in Colorado I have looked for years for a small hand expresser at a reasonable price.
I would like to press some of the Castor beans on the homestead and maybe some of the sunflower seed. I know it will not produce enough to cover wages but it will produce enough to help with some of the self sufficiency. You can add a higher value to the oil, because you then have something not readily available in the local market along with knowing exactly where it came from and what it is !

Salamat, Otter Bob

Based on your statement "coco farm in Zamboanga which I just bought and intend to rehabilitate next year”. *You must be Filipina or Filipino,
We need to deed my wifes property to family because she just became a US citizen, Or she will need to apply to be a dual citizen, to own property in the Philippines.

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This was what I read from their post: "From about twenty small coconuts, we ended up with about one cup of coconut oil. When we were living in the Philippines, we usually got about one liter per twenty large coconuts. The coconuts here are smaller and have slightly less oil content."
Sorry for the confusion about the italicized text also. I don't own any land in the Philippines: that was a quote from a page I found on the internet (link provided). In any case, your point is excellent: that press does look worth trying, and would also yield virgin coconut oil. Where does your wife's family live? I heard that the Philippines always considers a Filipina a Filipina - doesn't matter if she forfeits her passport, she is still a Filipina and has the right to own land. But I don't really know, this is just what I heard. Cheers!

[otterbob]

This was what I read from their post: "From about twenty small coconuts, we ended up with about one cup of coconut oil. When we were living in the Philippines, we usually got about one liter per twenty large coconuts. The coconuts here are smaller and have slightly less oil content."
Sorry for the confusion about the italicized text also. *I don't own any land in the Philippines: that was a quote from a page I found on the internet (link provided). *In any case, your point is excellent: that press does look worth trying, and would also yield virgin coconut oil. *Where does your wife's family live? *I heard that the Philippines always considers a Filipina a Filipina - doesn't matter if she forfeits her passport, she is still a Filipina and has the right to own land. *But I don't really know, this is just what I heard. *Cheers!

As this thread has about ran its course I will answer here instead of a PM.

"Where does your wife's family live?"
Badian, Cebu
We had a paint store in Kilibo, Aklan but typhoon Frank destroyed it this year !

"I heard that the Philippines always considers a Filipina a Filipina - doesn't matter if she forfeits her passport, she is still a Filipina and has the right to own land. But I don't really know, this is just what I heard. Cheers!"
When she became a citizen of the USA she had to give up her citizenship of the Philippines and the only way to own Real property in the Philippines is to be a citizen or inherit the land which can then only be sold back to a citizen. In the last few years the Philippines now allow "Dual Citizenship" which she qualifies for as a natural born Filipina.

Getting back on topic:
The press is very interesting and if there is any disposable income this summer I would like to get one or two of the presses.
We may be able to get others on the homestead forum to go together to get the 4 pac. which would drop the price considerably !
I have been saving some of my Castor beans to press.

Otter Bob

[fnfredux]

As this thread has about ran its course I will answer here instead of a PM.

"Where does your wife's family live?"
Badian, Cebu
We had a paint store in Kilibo, Aklan but typhoon Frank destroyed it this year !

"I heard that the Philippines always considers a Filipina a Filipina - doesn't matter if she forfeits her passport, she is still a Filipina and has the right to own land. *But I don't really know, this is just what I heard. *Cheers!"
When she became a citizen of the USA she had to give up her citizenship of the Philippines and the only way to own Real property in the Philippines is to be a citizen or inherit the land which can then only be sold back to a citizen. In the last few years the Philippines now allow "Dual Citizenship" which she qualifies for as a natural born Filipina.

Getting back on topic:
The press is very interesting and if there is any disposable income this summer I would like to get one or two of the presses.
We may be able to get others on the homestead forum to go together to get the 4 pac. which would drop the price considerably !
I have been saving some of my Castor beans to press.

Otter Bob

So Bob just what are you going to do with the ricin you make? Don't forget the trouble the guy in Las Vegas got into. DON'T press those castor beans before you read this. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Castor_bean
I am familiar with this because to plants grew (don't know if they still do) wild in FL when I lived there. I thought they would make nice "natural" foliage plants so I found out what they were. Needless to say I didn't plant any. deadly poison is NOT decorative.

and:Ricin (pronounced /ˈraɪ sɨn/) is a protein toxin that is extracted from the castor bean (Ricinus communis).
The U.S. Centers for Disease Control (CDC) gives a possible minimum figure of 500 micrograms (about the size of a grain of salt)[citation needed] for the lethal dose of ricin in humans if exposure is from injection or inhalation.[1]
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ricin

[otterbob]

So Bob just what are you going to do with the ricin you make?


I am not going to make any ricin !

Please do not turn a discussion of producing valuable, usable, eatable oil into a conspiracy to produce a terrorist weapon !

As you pointed out The U.S. Centers for Disease Control (CDC) gives a possible minimum figure of 500 micrograms (about the size of a grain of salt)[citation needed] for the lethal dose of ricin in humans if exposure is from injection or inhalation.

But you failed to point out that the The U.S. Centers for Disease Control (CDC) also states :
“It would take a deliberate act to make ricin and use it to poison people. Accidental exposure to ricin is highly unlikely, except through the ingestion of castor beans.”
and
“Ricin is unlikely to be absorbed through normal skin.
Contact with ricin powders or products may cause redness and pain of the skin and the eyes.”

There is no ricin in the oil of the castor bean.

Ricin is produced from the waste or cake.
The waste or cake can be used for animal feed by rendering the ricin in the cake harmless by heating it to above 176 degrees Fahrenheit

Castor oil is safe and has been used for medical use for the millennia !
It is also used in the production of plastics, soaps, textiles, paints, cosmetics, inks and dyes, adhesives, lubricants, polishes, and numerous other products.

With all of the talk about Ricin lets point out that a person stands more of a chance of injury from the harvest of the beans do to the allergenic compounds in the plant and not the ricin !

This plant grows wild in many places and is not about to be eradicated ! So why not legally use it on the homestead ?

Otter Bob

[fnfredux]

NO, I'm NOT trying to turn this into a discussion about a terrorist weapon. I was just concerned that you might not be aware of the potential. As I said, I really liked the looks of the plant, it needed no special care in FL (it grew wild). I did not plant it after I found out about the potential hazard.
plese do look at this article as it cites castor as a poor choice if you have pets and/or kids.
I just think people need to be comp[letely aware of potentials.http://landscaping.about.com/od/poisonouslandscapeplants/Poisonous_Plants_for_Cats_Dogs_Humans.htm

[otterbob]

NO, I'm NOT trying to turn this into a discussion about a terrorist weapon. I was just concerned that you might not be aware of the potential. As I said, I really liked the looks of the plant, it needed no special care in FL (it grew wild). I did not plant it after I found out about the potential hazard.
plese do look at this article as it cites castor as a poor choice if you have pets and/or kids.
I just think people need to be comp[letely aware of potentials.http://landscaping.about.com/od/poisonouslandscapeplants/Poisonous_Plants_for_Cats_Dogs_Humans.htm

Thank you !

I do not need the article, but out of respect. I will read it .

I can agree that children, pets and adults can be at risk on the homestead or in the city, but we can not stop ALL accidents form plants, tools or machines.
To not use a plant, tool or machine because there are inherent dangers is IMHO beyond reason. If we were to worry about every possible harm, nothing would get done.

Otter Bob

[fnfredux]

Yes, bob, as I said I just wanted to make sure the dangers were known.
Look at all those warning labels now.
People do NOT generally know about all plants etc.
I was passing along something specific I knew because I was interested in planting them myself once.

[otterbob]

Yes, bob, as I said I just wanted to make sure the dangers were known.
Look at all those warning labels now.
People do NOT generally know about all plants etc.
I was passing along something specific I knew because I was interested in planting them myself once.


Yes, I think we understand each other,
You should try the castor bean plant, they are really nice.
I am going to try to make the castor oil and as for the coconut oil when my wife makes it I get the waste "Goodies".

Otter Bob

[fnfredux]

Yes, I think we understand each other,
You should try the castor bean plant, they are really nice.
I am going to try to make the castor oil and as for the coconut oil when my wife makes it I get the waste "Goodies".

Otter Bob

Not for me, too many dogs and goats plus a very crafty (as in I CAN do it) grandaughter.
BUT... did you notice that castor bean oil has been used as a clean burning lamp oil?
Now for a homesteader off the grid, that might be VERY helpful. Wonder iof one could rig up a kerosene heater to work on the oil. Now THAT would be some project. What do you think, can it be done?

[otterbob]

Not for me, too many dogs and goats plus a very crafty (as in I CAN do it) grandaughter.
BUT... did you notice that castor bean oil has been used as a clean burning lamp oil?
Now for a homesteader off the grid, that might be VERY helpful. Wonder iof one could rig up a kerosene heater to work on the oil. Now THAT would be some project. What do you think, can it be done?


Yes, castor oil has been used for lamps, more like a wet candle then a kerosene lamp.
Castor oil will not "wick" in a tightly woven wick , so you need to use a loosely woven material for a wick.
I am sure you could find a heater that could be used but the cost of the oil would not be feasible for home or barn heating.
One thought that does come to mind is a kerosene one burner cook stove I bought in the Philippines that "pumps-up" like a coleman camp stove here in the USA, it should work fine with the castor oil for cooking meals, and the small amount of oil used would be feasible.

You should try making a little coconut oil from the caned coconut milk, then use the "Waste" to add to cookies for the family .

Otter Bob

[sbemt456]

To stay on the subject, I think I would skip the coconut oil and just eat the coconut, I love the stuff. But I guess God didnt intend us to eat too many or he wouldnt have made them so hard to unwrap. Darn it!
As for castor beans, is that the plant that some folks call "dog ticks"? The seeds look like brown bloated ticks? Or at least thats what we call them here. And we usually try to plant a few in the garden as it will keep moles and gophers away. I suppose the same principal as spraying the ground with castor oil and water to deter moles and gophers. As a matter of fact I dont have seed for this year because the ones I planted last year didnt do any good and had no seed pods.

stella :)

[otterbob]

To stay on the subject, I think I would skip the coconut oil and just eat the coconut, I love the stuff. But I guess God didnt intend us to eat too many or he wouldnt have made them so hard to unwrap. Darn it!
As for castor beans, is that the plant that some folks call "dog ticks"? The seeds look like brown bloated ticks? *Or at least thats what we call them here. And we usually try to plant a few in the garden as it will keep moles and gophers away. I suppose the same principal as spraying the ground with castor oil and water to deter moles and gophers. As a matter of fact I dont have seed for this year because the ones I planted last year didnt do any good and had no seed pods.

stella :)


Stella, or any other forum member,
If you need , I can drop a dozen or so castor seeds in an envelope and mail them to you.
Sorry I have no coconut seeds. :(

Otter Bob

http://www.coloradojingjing.com/bob/office/bobspictures/castorseedx350.jpg

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it's a good idea, will try. how long to boil for?

[sbemt456]

Otterbob, yep that is what we call "dogticks". And I would love to have some seed as I lost the last of mine last year and those that I had planted were the last 5 seed that I had. When my dad was alive and gardened he always tried to plant them in the garden to deter moles.
Thanks so much, I will PM with address. Sure wish ya had coconut seed. ;D

Have a great day!

stella

[otterbob]

it's a good idea, will try. *how long to boil for?

Thats a very good question !!!

I don't know, my wife just starts the pot and when she thinks "that it !" , Thats it !
It's more of just keeping an eye on it with different heat to get what you want.
She generally starts with a medium heat then adjusts down as the oil separates and the "goody" {oop's I meant waste} starts to brown.
Hold on,,,,, she just said you should stir from time to time to keep it from sticking.

Otter Bob

[otterbob]

Greetings, All

We knew the little press listed above would press copra { coconut meat !} but I had asked about using it for Castor beans here in the USA.
I just got an E-mail back from PITEBA and here is a copy .

Otter Bob

>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>
Dear Bob,

Shipping is included in the prices on the Piteba site. For 1 press I heard from customers in the US that they did not pay any tax, but I am not sure if that is the case in all states.

I never tried castor beans myself, but the oil contents is higher than 25% so I expect it to be possible to press them with the Piteba oil expeller.


Kind regards,

PITEBA
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