Abstract: A method for deoiling crude lecithin which includes pretreating crude lecithin with from about 5% to about 20% acetone to control viscosity variability and to facilitate breakup of solids during extraction, introducing the thus pretreated lecithin into the upper part of a contacting chamber under conditions of agitation but without flow constriction at essentially atmospheric pressure, thereafter flowing the lecithin in continuous, countercurrent relation to acetone at a rate of 3 to 10 parts acetone to one part lecithin to provide a refined lecithin having an Acetone Insolubles content in the range of about 94% to about 99.9%.