Cooking oil

[Eric Garner]

Hi. Is cooking oil any good for helping to extend the life of wood? I'm not talking about furniture etc, just things like planting boxes. I was just thinking that old cooking oil might be put to good use for rough and ready jobs like this, rather than just chucking it in the bin.

What are people's thoughts.

 

[mg123]

I'd imagine the smell could be a little extreme if it went rancid?
I have used old engine oil to treat some old fence panels at the rear of my property. That worked an absolute treat.

 

[dannyr]

I'd imagine the smell could be a little extreme if it went rancid?
I have used old engine oil to treat some old fence panels at the rear of my property. That worked an absolute treat.

I do that but wouldn't use it for planters etc - if it gets on any leaves etc they turn brown so I'd not want it getting into soil etc.. Also makes sure you do it after some dry days so it just soaks in to the wood. Think carefully about the environmental impact.

Re the used cooking oil - I'd guess less harm done , but less protective.

 

[Sachakins]

It will go off after a short time and stink like rancid butter sooner rather than later

 

[Orraloon]

And after its gone off it will promote mold and fungal growth.
Regards
John

 

[Henniep]

I'd imagine the smell could be a little extreme if it went rancid?
I have used old engine oil to treat some old fence panels at the rear of my property. That worked an absolute treat.

Not a very pleasant way to 'treat' wood

 

[Eric Garner]

Thanks, guys, for all your comments. Much appreciated.

 

[stuckinthemud]

Not all cooking oils go rancid. Sunflower is recommended as a food-friendly wood finish (bowls, spoons, cups). I’ve used it with no problems. Most proprietary wood finishes are based on food oils- Tung for instance, and linseed and walnut…,

 

[Sachakins]

Not all cooking oils go rancid. Sunflower is recommended as a food-friendly wood finish (bowls, spoons, cups). I’ve used it with no problems. Most proprietary wood finishes are based on food oils- Tung for instance, and linseed and walnut…,

True, but they all either carry a notice to clean regularly and reapply. Or the contain drying agents and hardness to prevent problems.

I used olive oil on my own cutting boards, but they get cleaned often and reapplied every 2 to 3 months. I passed one on to a relative and they brought it back after 6 months as it was minging, they hadn't kept up cleaning and re oiling it.

Can't see the OP reapplying oil to planters at all.

 

[stuckinthemud]

I agree, things that are washed with soap/detergent need re-oiling frequently, but exposure to plain water will not affect oils as drastically. They will need at least an annual re-coat though, but many finishes need regular renewal. I think my point was that kitchen oils make great finishes as long as you accept their limitations. Very few go rancid, olive oil goes rancid but is the exception not the rule.

 

[Sachakins]

I agree, things that are washed with soap/detergent need re-oiling frequently, but exposure to plain water will not affect oils as drastically. They will need at least an annual re-coat though, but many finishes need regular renewal. I think my point was that kitchen oils make great finishes as long as you accept their limitations. Very few go rancid, olive oil goes rancid but is the exception not the rule.

Agree about the limitations entirely, and that's why I don't believe they make sense used outside on the likes of planters etc.

 

[Orraloon]

Regardless of which oils go rancid or not I am sure any old used oil will be on the nose after a while.

 

[stuckinthemud]

Two types of science. Theory and experiment. Since the OP has free wood and free oil, it might be kinda cool to run a test sample and report back in the autumn?

 

[thetyreman]

for a planting box I'd leave it unfinished and let it go grey naturally, it is going to rot anyway, oil won't do much to protect it.

 

[Eric Garner]

Two types of science. Theory and experiment. Since the OP has free wood and free oil, it might be kinda cool to run a test sample and report back in the autumn?

 

[Eric Garner]

Two types of science. Theory and experiment. Since the OP has free wood and free oil, it might be kinda cool to run a test sample and report back in the autumn?

I was thinking of doing one as a trial, so I'll try to remember to keep the oil next time we refresh the chip pan.

 

[Eric Garner]

Thanks again , guys, I appreciate your input.