Oil mill in the homestead from Brzóza Stadnicka

The oil mill in the homestead from Brzóza Stadnicka comes from Brzyska Wola, and its building dates from the turn of the 20th century. Inside are a stove with a copper vessel called a pondew and a screw press. The homestead's name and the oil mill's place of origin differ: the museum brings buildings from several villages together in one farm. Oil was pressed from rapeseed, flax, hemp or sunflower seeds.

The seeds were crushed, mixed with warm water and heated in the pondew, which resembled a deep frying pan. The mixture had to be stirred constantly with a wooden paddle to prevent burning. Preparing the seeds therefore required control of the temperature and continuous work at the stove.

The heated material was wrapped in cloth, tied tightly and placed in the press. Tightening the screw increased pressure on the bundle and squeezed out the oil. The screw press completed the pressing stage, but fire, water and manual stirring were needed beforehand. The finished oil was poured into small earthenware flasks or glass bottles. The stove, press and vessels correspond to successive tasks: preparing the seeds, separating the oil and storing the finished product.