Best chainsaw chain oil

[Finca La Isla]

I got the idea to use cooking oil for lubricating the chain on my chainsaw while reading a Paul Stametz book on propagating fungi.  He simply inoculates the wood chips while sawing by putting spores in the chain oil.  Obviously you wouldn't be very successful doing this with a petroleum based product.
I spoke with one chainsaw mechanic here and he said it shouldn't be a problem to substitute cooking oil.  Probably, for an organic orchard you shouldn't be able to contaminate it with conventual chain oil either.  As it turns out I can get cheap soy oil or local palm oil for cheaper than what's sold as chain oil anyway.
Does anyone else use cooking oil for chain lubrication, any thoughts?
Peter

[Cookie Monster]

I don't think there is actually a problem using regular chain oil. I would think that the oil would simply be a food source for the bacteria, as long as there is enough oxygen and nitrogen present.

[spaugh]

Pretty much any oil will work fine.  I don't use cooking oil but I have used motor oil, suspension oil, whatever is handy.  Canola oil would be fine.  You probably won't be using a ton of it so just get a jug of canola oil at the grocery.

[Steph]

Yes, any vegetable oil will work as chain and bar oil.  Canola, soy, and other cooking oils are thin and spin off the chain quickly.  If you're cutting small diameter material or not cutting for a long time, or using a short bar and a low power saw then these light oils work fine.  If you're using a larger saw with bigger blade, running high chain speed pro saws, or quickly cutting large diameter material then your chain and bar will not be sufficiently lubricated and will heat up.  The chain may stretch and the bar edge gets worn and deformed.  I address this by mixing about 10% expensive castor bean oil with the cheap soy oil with excellent results.

[EvilFruit]

My experience with chainsaw has been very limited but I have used engine oil mixed with canola oil.

[bsbullie]

Be cautious of the food grade oils.  Many have a low burn point which may not be good depending on what you are cutting.

[Finca La Isla]

Thanks for the comments.  I have two saws, one a conventional Stihl and an Oregon 4ah battery Chainsaw.  Both have 16" bars.  Of course the manufacturers insist only their own brand oil is appropriate but I have been doing well with the soy oil.  I also get a palm oil that seems thicker, I might do a comparison. 
Peter

[Cookie Monster]

https://www.fs.fed.us/eng/pubs/html/98511316/98511316.html

[shot]

I have a hydraulic pruning lift and it uses the hydro fluid for the oil on the plug on saw = dextron III but that's not as cheap as bar oil

[Finca La Isla]

Thanks Jeff, I'm en outraged that the burn point could be better than with the petroleum based oil.  Regular chain oil banned in Austria!
Peter

[TucsonKen]

I use canola oil and haven't noticed any problems.

[JonathonForester]

https://www.fs.fed.us/eng/pubs/html/98511316/98511316.html

Thats badass.

[zands]

I change my cars motor oil. Use the old motor oil in my electric chainsaws.

[Finca La Isla]

Supposedly old motor oil presents a problem because it may have particles that can clog the ports on the saw. Also it's pretty toxic.

[zands]

Supposedly old motor oil presents a problem because it may have particles that can clog the ports on the saw. Also it's pretty toxic.

Here it says old motor oil wears out the bar and the chain due to metal particles in the oil....But I don't use my 14" electric chainsaw enough for this to happen for years. If I owed a new $300 chainsaw that I used all the time then I would not use old motor oil. But until then......

http://forestry.about.com/od/chainsaws/f/cs_baroil.htm