Don’t wait 6 Weeks! Make Calendula Oil in Just 24 Hours Using a Slow Cooker/Fall Fest WINNER!, by Life in the Piedmont Homestead on YouTube. 7 min 26 s.
- Video length
- 7 min 26 s
- Time to do it
- 24 hours (about 10 minutes han
- Difficulty
- Easy
- Steps
- 8
What you need
Steps
Spread the dried calendula petals on a tray and check they are fully dry and crisp. Any moisture left in the petals can make the oil spoil.
Fill a clean glass jar loosely with the dried petals, leaving about an inch of space at the top. Do not pack them down tight.
Pour your carrier oil over the petals until they sit under about an inch of oil. Olive, sunflower and jojoba all work well.
Screw the lid on and stand the jar in the slow cooker. Add warm water until it comes about halfway up the side of the jar.
Set the slow cooker to low or keep warm and leave the jar for 24 hours. Check the water now and then and top it up so it never runs dry.
Keep the heat gentle. The oil should feel warm to the touch, not hot, and the petals will slowly fade in colour as the oil takes on their tint.
Line a fine mesh strainer with cheesecloth over a bowl and pour the oil through. Gather the cloth and squeeze to get the last of the oil out.
Funnel the strained oil into a clean dark glass bottle, cap it, and write the date and ingredients on the label.
Tips and common mistakes
Use dried flowers rather than fresh ones, because the water in fresh petals can cause mould in the oil.
Keep the cooker on its lowest setting, since bubbling or simmering oil can scorch the petals and spoil the batch.
Patch test the finished oil on your inner arm before using it on your face.
Store the bottle in a cool, dark cupboard and use it within about a year.
Questions
How long does homemade calendula oil keep?
About 6 to 12 months in a sealed dark bottle in a cool, dark place. Throw it out if it smells rancid or you see mould.
Can I use fresh calendula flowers instead?
Dry them first for a few days until they are crisp. Fresh petals hold water, which makes the oil spoil.
What if I do not have a slow cooker?
Put the sealed jar somewhere warm, such as a sunny windowsill, and shake it once a day for 2 to 3 weeks.
This guide was drafted from the video's details and general task knowledge. It has not been checked against the full video. Check the video and relevant product instructions before following a procedure. Report a correction.
