Biodegradable bar and chain oil

[stuckmotor]

I tried straight, new, cooking oil, probably canola, in the oiler one time. It was a very hot day and I didn't think the oil was thick enough, so after a refill or two I quit.

 

[LD48750]

I tried the cheapest vegetable oil I could find at the grocery store & it worked just fine.

$5/Gal

I have not let it set for more then a couple weeks and I have mixed it with regular motor oil or bar oil.
I see no difference in performance.

 

[John_Mc]

The problem with bio bar oil, besides the price, is that it can gum up in the saw when it's stored for a while. My large saw sits with the gas tank and carb empty until I need it for a big tree. It'd be a hassle to have to drain the oil tank too.

I've used the veggie-based bar & chain oil of various brands for 13 years now. It's required on one of the properties where I cut firewood, and I've used it on my own property ever since. In the first few years, I did notice that the stuff "stiffens up " on the chain if it sits for any length of time (unlike Old Retired Cop, I've never had a problem with my chains rusting up). A quick shot of WD40 or similar dissolved the build-up and it ran fine. I did try straight Canola oil for a coupe of tanks. It ran fine and lubricated at least as well as the petroleum-based stuff, but it definitely stiffened up on the bar if it sat for a while.

After those first few years, the formulation must have changed, because I've never had the problem since. My original source disapeared once Stihl came out with their BioPlus bar oil. So I've been using that for a number of years now and never had a problem with leaving it in my saw for an extended period.