The Press

Turning Pressure into Oil

The approximately one-ton oak press beam is the central component of the oil mill. Made from carefully selected solid oak, it combines exceptional strength with remarkable durability.

The massive beam was used to press the ground oil-bearing seeds and nuts under tremendous pressure. As the beam was slowly and steadily lowered, oil was gently extracted from the prepared material.

A spindle raised and lowered the beam. Through the mill’s gearing system, the spindle could be driven in either direction.

The strength of the oak allowed the press beam to withstand the tremendous forces generated during decades of use, making it an essential part of the traditional oil-making process. Through the combined action of the drive system, weight, and leverage, approximately 10 to 11 metric tons of force were applied to the material being pressed.