vegetable oil in chain saw bar reservoir

[Bill Cooper]

Hello BBQ Bros,
I just got a nice hickory log and would like to cut it into 3" slices and then split it into chunks. For smoking purposes, I would like to replace the regular petroleum bar oil with vegetable oil. Has anybody here tried this? If so, what type of oil works well? (It will be used in 60- 80 degree weather)
Thanks in advance

 

[CBQ]

I buy my wood from a tree farm that uses vegetable oil to lubricate their equipment, so it works, but I don't know exactly what they use.

 

[BBQ Grail]

I believe Jorge used some type of cooking oil in his chain saw when he dissected a steer or a bull or something on the farm.

 

[PTSidehow]

Any light weight oil will work, people use old filtered motor oil in them. I can't remember what weight the stuff in the gallon of chain saw oil was. But unless you leave the oil in the tank from one cutting session to the next. And have it go rancid, any of the food use oils will work. Even the used fryer oil strained of any bits and chunks. I would get the cheapest stuff.
:thumb:

 

[Skidder]

I guess it all depends on how much you care about the bar and chain on the saw. Chainsaw bar oil is a special animal made for one purpose.... to stay on the blade. Take a look at it then feel it, it is very sticky. For a reason, to stay on a fast spinning blade. I'm sure you could use vege oil for a log though it just won't stay on the blade as well. Good luck.

 

[Norm]

I use canola oil in my electric chainsaw with no troubles.

I'd turn the oiler in your chainsaw all the way open. You'll use more but it will keep the heat down.

 

[PTSidehow]

Went and looked on the net for food grade oil, and then for the new greenie chainsaw bar and chain oils Biodegradable.
First there are few companies that "Package for resale the oil"
Most buy from a company that makes it and blends it for everybody and anybody that will pay for it.

From looking at more than 6 Bio (greenie) friendly chain and bar oils.
All of the base oils are non toxic blends of mineral or plant oils (vegetable oils) 40% to 60%
The tackifiers are added are also non toxic,non hazardous. Which means they don't have to be specific on their blends of the oils. That they post in the MSDS (Material Safety Data Sheets)

Since the doctors/hospitals known how to treat for overdoses of cooking oils etc. there isn't any details.

So from the point of view of the chain saw oiler pump and using vegetable oil type and flavor is up to you. As long as it is clean and free from bits of cooked material. The saw,bar and chain will not care!

If it is a manual type finger/thumb pump, you may have to pump it more often. Or you can use one of these to squirt oil on the bar and chain, if you are worried.

Granted my factory small engine and equipment training was almost 30 years ago. But the biggest thing that the instructors would hammer home is any clean lubrication is better than no lubrication.

Which I found out is still true toady as it was then. People don't read the instruction even on the quick start sheets. Guy bought a lawn mower didn't put any oil in it. Filled it with gas and seized it up pretty quick. He claims he didn't know they don't leave the oil in after testing :doh:

So as been said in the previous posts use your chose of cooking oil. And if you are a little worried you can always snatch and spray a nice even coating of pam or other non stick spray on the bar guides, chain, sprocket and roller on the bar tip. In addition to the oil. Plus the chops and ribs won't end up smelling like the speedy lube!
:thumb:

 

[jestridge]

castor oil or mineral oil work ok , I always use regular chain bar oil that small amont not going to make a differeance.

 

[Jorge]

If you want to run a veg. oil you can. I'd go with peanut oil since it has a high smoke point. Just keep the chain wet.

If you are going to do this on a regular basis, a cheep electric saw might not be a bad idea.

Grail is right, I did use a saw to quarter a steer earlier this year. We did have a new bar and chain though. I was a lot more concerned about the oil getting on a food product than on wood. Food grade oil, and loosening the chain just a hair worked for us.

 

[Bill Cooper]

Thanks for all of your replies, I think I'm going to go with the canola, but after this one log I will put the regular petroleum oil back in the tank and coat the bar/chain for storage.

 

[Hoss]

One log???? use a cutoff saw.