Can You Make Fractionated Coconut Oil At Home

You can make fractionated coconut oil at home, but it’s not the same as the store-bought version.
 
The truth is, true fractionated coconut oil requires lab equipment to separate the long-chain triglycerides from the medium-chain ones.
 
But you can still make a homemade version that behaves similarly for many uses.
 
If you’ve been wondering if you can make fractionated coconut oil at home, the answer is yes with a simple melting and separating method.
 
It won’t be 100% pure MCT oil, but it will stay liquid longer and work for many DIY recipes.
 
In this post, we’ll show you how to make fractionated coconut oil at home, what to expect from the DIY version, and how to get the best result.
 
Let’s get into it.

Can You Make Fractionated Coconut Oil At Home?

Yes, you can make fractionated coconut oil at home using a simple heat-and-separate method.
 
Here’s the deal though: real fractionated coconut oil is made in a factory using steam distillation or hydrolysis to strip out the long-chain fatty acids.
 
The result is a liquid oil that stays liquid even in the fridge.
 
You can’t fully replicate that at home.
 
But you can get close enough for most everyday uses, and here’s how.

1. Gather Your Ingredients and Tools

To make fractionated coconut oil at home, you’ll need:
 
One cup of coconut oil (preferably refined, so there’s less coconut smell).
 
A glass jar with a lid.
 
A saucepan or double boiler.
 
A coffee filter or fine mesh strainer.
 
A thermometer.
 

2. Melt the Coconut Oil Slowly

Place your coconut oil in the glass jar and put it in a saucepan with water over low heat.
 
Coconut oil melts at around 76°F, so it doesn’t take much.
 
Keep the temperature low, around 100–120°F, and let the oil melt completely.
 
Stir gently with a wooden spoon.
 
Don’t let it smoke or get too hot, or you’ll damage the oil.

3. Cool and Separate the Layers

Once the coconut oil is fully melted, remove it from the heat and let it cool slowly.
 
This is where making fractionated coconut oil at home gets interesting.
 
As the oil cools, the long-chain fats start to solidify first, while the medium-chain triglycerides (the liquid part) stay fluid longer.
 
After about 30 minutes to an hour, you’ll see a milky, waxy layer forming at the top.
 
The liquid underneath is your closest thing to fractionated coconut oil at home.
 

4. Strain and Store

Carefully pour the liquid layer through a coffee filter into a clean glass jar.
 
Discard the solid waxy layer or save it for cooking.
 
Seal your homemade fractionated coconut oil at home in a jar and store it in a cool, dark place.
 
Use it within a month or two, as it doesn’t have the same shelf life as the commercial version.
 

What’s the Difference Between Homemade and Store-Bought Fractionated Coconut Oil?

The biggest difference is purity and consistency.
 
Store-bought fractionated coconut oil is almost entirely medium-chain triglycerides (MCTs), so it stays liquid forever.
 
Your homemade fractionated coconut oil will still have some long-chain fats left in it, so it may thicken slightly in cold temperatures.
 
It also won’t have the exact same light texture as the real thing.
 
But for skincare, DIY cleaning products, or oil pulling, your homemade fractionated coconut oil will do the job just fine.
 
Just don’t expect it to be identical to what you buy from a supplier.

Best Uses for Homemade Fractionated Coconut Oil

Even though it’s not perfect, your homemade fractionated coconut oil at home has plenty of uses.
 
It works great as a carrier oil for essential oils in DIY lotions and creams.
 
You can use it for a light massage oil that won’t stain clothes.
 
It’s also handy for oil pulling, though you may want to use the store-bought kind for that if you want the purest result.
 
And of course, you can use it in homemade lip balms, body scrubs, and hair serums.
 
Just remember the shelf life is shorter, so make small batches.

So, Can You Make Fractionated Coconut Oil At Home?

You can make fractionated coconut oil at home, but it won’t be the same as the commercial version.
 
The homemade method uses heat and cooling to separate the long-chain fats from the liquid MCTs.
 
It’s a simple process that gives you a liquid oil that works well for DIY recipes and skincare.
 
Just know that it will thicken slightly in the cold and won’t last as long as real fractionated coconut oil.
 
If you need a perfect, pure product, buy it from a store.
 
But if you want to make fractionated coconut oil at home for fun or for homemade products, this method is a great place to start, so give it a try.