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- Feb 20, 2016
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What is its usual life expectancy. I keep it in a big 20MM army can. About three gallons. Just in my shop un-air conditioned but well ventilated.
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Canola Oil Life Expectancy
- Thread starter Living The Dream
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- Joined
- Feb 20, 2016
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- 158
I should have said. What is the life expectancy for it to perform well as quenching oil. It is cheap so I don't mind replacing it at 5 bucks a gallon. But I am cheap and don't mind keeping it in service if it is still effective.
I've often wondered about this- I wonder if anyone knows the answer to the question, "What changes would take place over time that might make canola oil unable to perform its proper function."
The answer I've gotten in the past was more along the lines of, "It gets funky and nasty, throw it out," which is reasonable and what I do regularly, but doesn't address the actual question.
The answer I've gotten in the past was more along the lines of, "It gets funky and nasty, throw it out," which is reasonable and what I do regularly, but doesn't address the actual question.
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I don't know the answer to your question, but slightly on topic the only time I've thrown mine away was when one of my turkey chicks drowned in it.. then I noticed there was also a dead mouse at the bottom. So.. keep them covered and they'll last longer for sure! That's all I got.
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I've had some canola oil sitting in my quench tank in the shed outside for the last 4 years at least. It has been sitting out there through both summer and winter seasons. I heated it up to 120° the other day and it performed just as good as the day I got it.
Bill DeShivs
Knifemaker / Craftsman / Service Provider
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- Jun 6, 2000
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I use a one gallon can for quenching switchblade springs. The same oil has been used for 8 or 10 years.
I'm sure that quenching large items like blades can affect the oil qualities, though.
I'm sure that quenching large items like blades can affect the oil qualities, though.
I used the same gallon of canola for years, but finally upgraded to a commercial quench oil due to getting frustrated with brine.
To answer your question, the canola worked fine but definitely thickened by the time I got rid of it. Mind you it was stored outside so it repeatedly 'froze' and thawed over the course of the two or three years I used it. I bet this influenced its characteristics somewhat...Despite the thickening it worked fine for ME when quenching steels like 5160 through the entire period of use.
To answer your question, the canola worked fine but definitely thickened by the time I got rid of it. Mind you it was stored outside so it repeatedly 'froze' and thawed over the course of the two or three years I used it. I bet this influenced its characteristics somewhat...Despite the thickening it worked fine for ME when quenching steels like 5160 through the entire period of use.
Ewwwwwwww
I saw a scientific paper looking at oxidised (vegetable) oils and it found when heated and oxidised the heat transfer was a bit faster, so would point to longer use of oil makes it a bit faster for quenching. I dont think it would be so fast that it becomes a problem for medium speed quench steels. Would be interesting to see others experiences.