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SECTION: Tools and Supplies, Edible oils and fats are essential for good health. One unfilled need in home self-sufficiency has been the ability to efficiently extract oil using a relatively cheap and simple device. This is it. We particularly love the simplicity and efficiency of this oil press.
Developed for use in areas without power, this hand-crank expeller can process up to 2 liters of oil per hour. At approximately 8 x 5 x 2.5 inches the Piteba is very compact but ruggedly built, and requires little maintenance. Considered cold pressing maintaining the oils natural flavours because the press cage will normally be under 50-70 (122-158 F) degrees centigrade.
It is suitable for almost all oil-containing seeds and nuts with at least 25% oil in the seed. Generally this press allows continuous pressing of oil seeds/nuts, generally without removing the bark, husk, or outer covering. We currently offer seeds for sunflower and radish especially bred for oil production.
While this press was developed to be an instant small industry in itself for farmers in the Third World, providing them with increased economic independence, it was refined from an old hand-cranked press used in The Netherlands. During World War Two in particular, cooking oil was not at all available, so these early presses, as inefficient as they were, saved who knows how many families. Edwin Blaak, the developer of this press came across an example of this press in a museum in Denmark. He was inspired by the potential of an oil press, and spent five years developing this very efficient press, optomizing it to work well with any oil source..
Edwin worked for 30 years in developing countries in a great variety of agricultural projects worldwide. He worked as Senior Officer Industrial Crops with the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) of the United Nations. Many development organizations had known that on farm transformation of oilseeds to oil and press cake could considerably improve farmer's income. The oil can be sold in the local market and the press cake could serve as a protein concentrate in animal feed for local farmers. It took Edwin's dedication to realize this potential. He has tested this press on numerous crops in over 100 countries, refining its design to become a truly universal oil press.
While very sturdy and long-lasting we want to warn customers in advance to promptly clean this press immediately after use, while it is still warm. This seems to be the only serious caveat with this press.
APPROX WEIGHT: 5 lbs.
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