Here are essentially the same instructions from two sites:
Extracting orange oil
Orange oil is being used in many cleaning products these days for its pleasant aroma and powerful solvent properties. As an essential oil, it has many health-related benefits. If you'd like to have a go at making your own orange oil extract, try this:
Note: because this process uses solvents, wear gloves, keep out of reach of children and naked flame and the same applies for the finished product. Orange oil is flammable and very corrosive. For most cleaning purposes, a quarter of an ounce (7 mls) mixed in with a quart (1 liter) of water should be sufficient. Always spot test a brew before applying in quantity.
dry the orange peels
grind the peels
place into a mason (glass) jar and cover with grain alcohol (even vodka)
shake vigorously for a few minutes. If possible repeat this over a couple of days. Warmed alcohol will help yield more oil
strain mixture through a coffee filter
place mixture in a shallow dish, cover with a material that will breathe and allow alcohol to evaporate
what's left over will be orange oil
Most orange oil you buy is cold-pressed, which is a preferable method of extraction, but I couldn't find any oil presses suitable for home use/small quantities available. If you know of such an item, please let me know!
By the way, if you're using vodka, instead of using the method to extract the oil, after straining, rebottle the vodka and you'll have a orange flavored liqueur.
Peel the oranges. Put the peel in a warm dry place (such as in a sunny window ledge) to dry.
2
Grate the peels with a grater or grind them in a grinder, blender or food processor after they are dry.
3
Put the ground peel into a glass jar. Add enough alcohol (grain alcohol or vodka, for instance) to cover the peel. Cover the jar tightly with the lid.
4
Leave the covered jar in the sun. Shake the jar periodically over the course of several days. (Warm alcohol will result in more yield, so leave the jar in a sunny spot.)
5
Strain the mixture through a coffee filter or paper towel.
6
Leave the strained alcohol in a small covered dish. When the alcohol evaporates, the remaining liquid is the orange oil.
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Verified answer
Here are essentially the same instructions from two sites:
Extracting orange oil
Orange oil is being used in many cleaning products these days for its pleasant aroma and powerful solvent properties. As an essential oil, it has many health-related benefits. If you'd like to have a go at making your own orange oil extract, try this:
Note: because this process uses solvents, wear gloves, keep out of reach of children and naked flame and the same applies for the finished product. Orange oil is flammable and very corrosive. For most cleaning purposes, a quarter of an ounce (7 mls) mixed in with a quart (1 liter) of water should be sufficient. Always spot test a brew before applying in quantity.
dry the orange peels
grind the peels
place into a mason (glass) jar and cover with grain alcohol (even vodka)
shake vigorously for a few minutes. If possible repeat this over a couple of days. Warmed alcohol will help yield more oil
strain mixture through a coffee filter
place mixture in a shallow dish, cover with a material that will breathe and allow alcohol to evaporate
what's left over will be orange oil
Most orange oil you buy is cold-pressed, which is a preferable method of extraction, but I couldn't find any oil presses suitable for home use/small quantities available. If you know of such an item, please let me know!
By the way, if you're using vodka, instead of using the method to extract the oil, after straining, rebottle the vodka and you'll have a orange flavored liqueur.
http://www.greenlivingtips.com/articles/176/1/Oran...
Peel the oranges. Put the peel in a warm dry place (such as in a sunny window ledge) to dry.
2
Grate the peels with a grater or grind them in a grinder, blender or food processor after they are dry.
3
Put the ground peel into a glass jar. Add enough alcohol (grain alcohol or vodka, for instance) to cover the peel. Cover the jar tightly with the lid.
4
Leave the covered jar in the sun. Shake the jar periodically over the course of several days. (Warm alcohol will result in more yield, so leave the jar in a sunny spot.)
5
Strain the mixture through a coffee filter or paper towel.
6
Leave the strained alcohol in a small covered dish. When the alcohol evaporates, the remaining liquid is the orange oil.
Read more: How to Extract Orange Oil | eHow.com http://www.ehow.com/how_5795174_extract-orange-oil...