What is Expeller-Pressed Oil? Everything You Need to Know

If you've ever stood in the cooking oil aisle and felt overwhelmed by labels like expeller-pressed, cold-pressed, or solvent-extracted, you're not alone. With so many oil options on the market, it's easy to get confused, especially when the labels sound technical but don’t always explain much.

You might be wondering: What does expeller-pressed actually mean? Is it better for my health? And how does it compare to other oils?

In this article, we’ll break down everything you need to know about expeller-pressed oil, including how it’s made, whether it’s healthier, and how to spot it when shopping.

What is Expeller Pressed Oil?

Expeller-pressed oil is made by squeezing seeds or nuts with a screw-like machine until the oil comes out. No chemicals are used — just pressure. It’s less processed than oils made with chemicals, so it keeps more natural flavor and nutrients.

This method of oil extraction is gaining attention among health-conscious consumers who are looking for cleaner, more natural products. Many people are now reading labels more carefully and want to avoid oils that have been chemically treated or overly refined.

Expeller-pressed oils appeal to this demand because they’re often seen as a middle ground — less processed than conventional oils, but more affordable and widely available than cold-pressed alternatives.

Related: Types of Cooking Oils

What’s the Difference Between Expeller-Pressed, Cold-Press, and Solvent Expelled Oil?

The key difference between expeller-pressed, cold-pressed, and solvent-expelled oils lies in the extraction method and the amount of heat involved.

Expeller-pressed oil is made by mechanically pressing seeds or nuts using a screw-like machine. This process generates heat from friction, often reaching temperatures between 140°F and 210°F, without the addition of chemicals.

Cold-pressed oil follows a similar mechanical process but is carefully temperature-controlled to stay below 122°F (50°C). This helps preserve more of the oil’s natural nutrients, flavor, and aroma, which is why cold-pressed oils are often marketed as the most natural or raw.

In contrast, solvent-expelled oil uses a chemical-based extraction method. Manufacturers apply a solvent, usually hexane, to dissolve the oil from plant materials. The mixture is then heated to remove the solvent, typically at high temperatures. While this method is highly efficient and extracts nearly all the oil, it also involves intense heat and multiple refining steps, which can degrade the oil’s nutritional quality ❶.

Because of these differences, expeller-pressed and cold-pressed oils are often preferred by people who are looking for more natural, less processed cooking oils.

How is Expeller-Pressed Oil Made?

Expeller-pressed oil is made using a mechanical extraction process that relies on physical pressure rather than chemical solvents. Here's how the process works:

• Cleaning and preparing the raw material - The process begins with cleaning and preparing the raw seeds, nuts, or other oil-bearing materials. These are then fed into a machine called an expeller or screw press, which is the heart of the operation.
• Crushing or conditioning - Some materials are lightly crushed or conditioned (slightly heated) to help loosen the oil and improve efficiency during pressing. However, no external heat is added in the expeller-pressing process.
• Mechanical pressing - The prepared material is fed into an expeller press—a machine that uses a rotating screw to apply high pressure. As the screw turns, it crushes and compresses the material, forcing the oil out through small openings. This friction naturally generates heat, typically between 140°F and 210°F.
• Collecting the oil - The extracted oil is collected and passed through filters to remove fine particles and sediment. At this point, it can either be bottled as-is (unrefined) or go through additional refining, depending on the desired end product.
• Processing the remaining meal - The leftover solid material, known as “oil cake” or “meal,” is removed from the press. This byproduct is often used as animal feed or in other agricultural applications.

Is Expeller-Pressed Oil Healthier?

Expeller-pressed oil is generally considered a healthier option compared to oils extracted with chemical solvents. Because it's made using only mechanical pressure, it doesn’t contain chemical residues like hexane, which are often used in conventional oil processing.

This cleaner extraction method helps retain more of the oil’s natural nutrients, including antioxidants, vitamin E, and healthy fats.
However, it's important to note that expeller-pressed oils can still vary in nutritional value depending on the source (such as avocado, canola, or sunflower) and whether the oil is refined afterward.

For example, unrefined expeller-pressed oils maintain more flavor and nutrients but may have a shorter shelf life and lower smoke point. In contrast, refined versions are more stable for cooking but may lose some beneficial compounds during processing.

In short, expeller-pressed oil offers a good balance between health and practicality. It avoids harsh chemicals, preserves more natural properties than heavily processed oils, and is widely available.

What are Examples of Expeller-Pressed Oils?

Common expeller-pressed cooking oils include:

• Algae cooking oil – Although relatively new, some algae oils are expeller-pressed. They’re prized for their high omega-9 content, exceptionally high smoke point (535°F), and sustainable production process. In fact, algae oil has the highest smoke point among commonly used cooking oils, so it’s an excellent choice for high-heat cooking methods like searing, frying, and roasting.
• Avocado oil – Naturally rich in heart-healthy monounsaturated fats, avocado oil is often expeller-pressed to preserve its nutrients. While more expensive than traditional cooking oils, it’s popular among health-conscious consumers.
• Olive oil – While extra virgin olive oil is typically cold-pressed, some refined or pure olive oils are expeller-pressed, which offer a neutral flavor and higher smoke point.
• Coconut oil – Expeller-pressed coconut oil has a more neutral flavor than virgin coconut oil and is ideal for cooking and baking. It’s solid at room temperature and stable at high temperatures.
• Canola oil - Available in both conventional and non-GMO varieties, expeller-pressed canola oil offers a neutral flavor profile with a high smoke point.
• Sunflower oil – When expeller-pressed, sunflower oil retains its natural antioxidants like vitamin E. It’s a versatile, neutral-flavored oil that works well in dressings and cooked dishes. This oil provides excellent stability for cooking while maintaining a light color and mild taste.
• Sesame oil – Available in both toasted and untoasted versions, expeller-pressed sesame oil is used in Asian cuisine for its rich, nutty flavor and aroma.
• Peanut oil - When produced through expeller pressing, it offers a clean peanut flavor that’s ideal for high-temperature cooking. This oil maintains better stability than its chemically extracted counterpart.

The Bottom Line

Choosing expeller-pressed oils means skipping the chemical solvents and keeping more of the oil’s natural goodness. With so many options — like sunflower, avocado, and algae oil — you can cook with confidence and peace of mind.

Curious about algae oil? Give Algae Cooking Club’s chef-grade oil a try — it’s packed with healthy fats, perfect for high-heat cooking, and sustainably produced.

FAQs About Expeller-Pressed Oil

How can I tell if an oil is expeller-pressed?

The most reliable way to identify expeller-pressed oil is to check the product label, which should clearly state "expeller-pressed" or "mechanically pressed." Look for terms like "physically extracted" as an additional indicator. Avoid oils that mention chemical extraction methods or solvent processing.

Is expeller-pressed oil always organic?

Expeller-pressed oil is not automatically organic. The pressing method refers to how the oil is extracted from the source material, while organic certification relates to how the original crops were grown. An oil can be expeller-pressed but made from conventionally grown seeds that used synthetic pesticides and fertilizers.

To get both benefits, you need to look for oils that are specifically labeled as both "expeller-pressed" and "organic" or "certified organic."

Is expeller-pressed oil refined or unrefined?

Expeller-pressed oil can be either refined or unrefined, as the pressing method is separate from the refining process. Note that some manufacturers may further refine expeller-pressed oils through processes like bleaching, deodorizing, or degumming to create a more neutral product with a longer shelf life.

Unrefined expeller-pressed oils, on the other hand, retain more of their original color, flavor, and nutritional compounds but may have shorter shelf lives and stronger tastes.