Keeping oil liquid

[AlexS]

I'm sick of buying a tin of oil, using a bit, then next time I go to use it, finding that it's started to skin. This seems to happen particularly with my favourite, Kunos oil.

I've tried keeping it in the fridge, which slows the process down a bit, but I reckon the problem is caused by exposure to oxygen. I'm thinking of putting it in an old cask wine bladder, or trying to lay my hands on some medical drip bags. Has anyone tried either of these ways? If so, what results? Where can I get some drip bags?

[masoth]

This may work - store the container upside down.
That is how paint can be saved from forming a skin at the top. You need to take care not to pierce the skin when later using the product.

soth

[NCArcher]

Alex,
Try some bottles used for storing photographic chemicals(also affected by exposure to oxygen)
They are like a concertina and fold down to exclude all air before the top is tightened.

[Felder]

I got a tip off an in-law (who happens to be a commercial painter) to place a film of cling wrap over the top of a paint tin before fixing the lid in place. Might work on your oil, too?

I've only used his theory on a large tub of decking stain that I bought, and I haven't re-opened it since I sealed it two years ago, so I don't know if it works. But he reckons it does.... :shrug:

[Termite]

For my cans of finishing oil I have a good supply of marbles. Fill up with marbles every time you use some oil, that way there is no room for air.

[David L]

Termite I have seen this suggestion a few times but I wonder how you get on stirring the contents as the tin fills up with marbels?

[Cliff Rogers]

What Termite says, welcome back bloke, how'd it go?

The question was for oil, it sets on contact with air, if you keep the bottle/tim full, it slows down the process.

When I open a new tin, I pour it into smaller airtight containers so there is no or very little air gap & then I add marbles to the one I am using to 'top it up'

The marbles can be washed & used again.

[Sprog]

There is a product called Bloxygen made for this very purpose.

http://www.psquareagencies.com.au/bloxygen.htm

http://www.bloxygen.com/

[son_of_bluegras]

If it is something reacting with oxygen, a shot of canned gas meant to blow dust out of electronic works.

[Baz]

I have used the wine cask bladder and that works. What I do now is decant the oil into small glass jars and cut off a bit of glad wrap and put on top of the oil before I put the lid on. Or you can use Organoil Danish oil, it doesn't go off after the tin has been opened.
Cheers
Barry

[Felder]

I have used the wine cask bladder and that works.

But once you've emptied the bladder, isn't it difficult to refill it again? Or even stand up? :drinks_wine:

[Termite]

What Termite says, welcome back bloke, how'd it go?
As my signature says, temporary member of the black hand society. Improving every day, back in action in about two weeks with a bit of luck.

[Baz]

Brendan the tap pulls out, rinse the bladder with hot water and allow to dry, fill with oil, insert tap, express excess air and put bladder back into cardboard container.
Cheers
Barry

[AlexS]

Thanks for that folks. I'll try the wine bladder first, just as soon as I can empty one.

Glad to hear you're on the mend Termite - can I play with your marbles:oo: ?

[Felder]

Brendan the tap pulls out, rinse the bladder with hot water and allow to dry, fill with oil, insert tap, express excess air and put bladder back into cardboard container.


Yeah, but doing all that is pretty hard once you've emptied the previous contents down your gullet. :cheers:

[rsser]

A late reply (better than working!) ... you may be able to salvage skinned or clotted oil by straining it through a stocking (but ask the missus to take it off first). Then thin it with the solvent it uses.

I've extended the life of Rustin's DO in this way - but not by long.