Freeze casting, the directional solidification of solutions and slurries, is a straightforward technique for the manufacture of porous materials. However, it has reached its limitations for the manufacture of long and slender components with its current mold-based approach. Needed is a process with which slender materials and structures longer than 50 mm and 1-4 mm diameter can be made with suitable microstructures and mechanical properties for, for example, biomedical and energy applications. A low-temperature extrusion system has been developed for this purpose, with which slender rods can be extruded from chitosan solutions in a continuous processing approach. The length of rods produced and the microstructural features achieved are currently unobtainable by any other method of manufacture. Highlighted in this study are two types of samples that can be manufactured by low-temperature extrusion: rods with a uniform structure and properties, and rods with a carefully-controlled layered structure that results in graded properties, both through-thickness and along the length. Principles of structure formation are explained and illustrated with the results obtained in a systematic study of uniform and graded rods manufactured by low temperature extrusion.