Cold Press vs Hot Press: What’s the Difference?
When it comes to oil extraction, two major methods dominate the industry: cold press and hot press. Each method has its advantages and is suited for different types of oil and end-use purposes. Understanding their differences can help you choose the right equipment for your oil production line.
What Is Cold Pressing?
Cold pressing involves extracting oil at low temperatures—typically under 60°C—without applying external heat. This method uses only mechanical pressure, often with a screw press machine or hydraulic press machine, to squeeze oil from seeds or nuts.
Main Features of Cold Pressing:
1、Retains more natural flavor, color, and aroma
2、Preserves vitamins, antioxidants, and unsaturated fatty acids
3、Lower oil yield compared to hot pressing
4、Ideal for high-value oils (e.g., flaxseed, walnut, sesame)
5、No chemical additives used
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What Is Hot Pressing?
Hot pressing involves heating the oilseed materials before and/or during the extraction process. The heat softens the cell structure, making oil easier to extract, and is commonly used in large-scale, high-efficiency oil production lines.
Main Features of Hot Pressing:
1、Higher oil yield
2、Removes odors and reduces moisture in raw materials
3、Some nutritional loss due to high temperature
4、Suitable for high-output production (e.g., soybean, rapeseed, peanut)
5、Sometimes combined with refining for edible-grade oils
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Key Differences Between cold press and hot press
| Aspect | Cold Pressing | Hot Pressing |
|---|---|---|
| Temperature | Below 60°C | Typically 100–150°C or higher |
| Oil Yield | Lower | Higher |
| Nutritional Value | Better preserved | Partially lost |
| Oil Color & Flavor | More natural, aromatic | Lighter color, neutral flavor |
| Equipment Type | Hydraulic press, screw cold press | Pre-heating unit + screw press |
| Applications | Health foods, cosmetics, premium edible oils | Mass-market edible oils, industrial oils |
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Which One Should You Choose?
The choice depends on your production goals:
Choose cold pressing if you prioritize oil quality, nutrition, and natural taste, especially for niche markets or health-related applications.
Choose hot pressing if your goal is maximum yield and large-scale production, particularly for oils that require refining anyway.
Vos offers both cold and hot press solutions, including integrated lines with optional heating, filtration, and refining units to match your process requirements.
