For best results, avoid cutting off any of the pith. This part of the orange has very little limonene and will make your mixture bitter. If you do not have a zester, you can also use a Microplane, a vegetable peeler, or a paring knife. The amount of oranges used can vary. It depends on how many oranges you have or how much essential oil you want to make.
If you used a Microplane or a zester, you will not need to grind the peels further.
Vodka works well for this process. You can use cold alcohol. However, warm alcohol will help you get more oil. [6] X Research source
Do not let the towel fall into the mixture. It will suck up the oil. Once the alcohol has evaporated, put the remaining oil in a container with a lid.
Choosing a lighter oil will help ensure that your oil has the taste and aroma that you want.
Avoid removing any pith.
Heating the orange zest extracts the orange oil that will be infused with your other oil.
If you remove the zest during cooling, your oil will have a lighter coloring. If the zest stays in during cooling, you will have a cloudier coloring.
Limonene is a natural grease-cutter and solvent. It is particularly effective at cleaning pots, pans, and other kitchen utensils.
Avoid having limonene around an open flame. It is extremely flammable. In fact, it is so flammable that orange peels make great kindling.
Be sure to consult with your doctor before taking a limonene supplement or ingesting orange oil.
