Can paper towels soaked in canola oil spontaneously combust?

First of all, canola oil has a fairly high smoke point, 400 degrees F. And canola oil is not volatile; the oil doesn’t give off a lot of gasses at normal atmospheric temperatures.

As a cautionary note, paper towels would be more combustible than cloth rags, but the oil component would not be.

All that being said, I would not keep the trash next to the grill because anything in the trash might catch an errant flame/lit grease splatter and cause the trash to light.

I had been keeping the trash right next to the cook top on the left side – where the propane tank is attached! That was a convenient location but for safety I will move it.

I love when Mcgyver asks questions. They are always interesting.

If they can combust you know I’m going to try it!

Lab experiment time, controlled environment, and always proper safety gear.

Better to err on the side of caution. Assume that they can and plan accordingly.

Also, store or dispose of oily rags/towels in a steel, fireproof container with tight fitting steel lid.

Well, I think there have to be pretty specific conditions for it to happen. I have cloth rags that are earmarked for furniture polish. I keep them, along with the furniture polish, in a plastic bag in my kitchen cabinet.
Of course, now you have me worried so I gots to go Google.

Well, it looks like it’s a pile of oily rags that will combust because the bottom rags don’t have any way to release the heat as they oxidize. I think my one rag is OK.
I think your canola paper towels are OK too. I don’t think cooking oils have the same properties as linseed oil and such.

I googled as well but could not find anything about canola oil and paper towels.
I won’t worry about it but I will move the trash can just in case.

@LuckyGuy Wise choice! After all, you can only burn the house down, with you in it, once.

Well, twice if he lives!

Err on the side of safety, my friend.

That being said, it seems to me that the big factor is the difference in the volatility of the two oils, as well as the different properties of therags vs. paper towels

I’m currently studying my masters degree on the propensity of spontaneous combustion on liquid biofuels at the University of Idaho. From my current research I can tell you to be cautious about disposing any oily soaked anything. Plant oils, like canola oil, can have large amounts of unsaturated bonds which are showing to be very susceptible to polymerization and oxidation, both of which release heat. Insulation of the heating source appears to be critical to combustion (bigger pile, more insulation). Impurities, such as salts like rust, can act as catalysts increasing the likelihood of fire (boiled linseed oil [flax seed] uses CoMn siccative to speed drying). Water doesn’t quench the fires and can evaporate leaving the oily soaked rags ready to combust. Burning your rags in a controlled area (fireplace) is the safest way to dispose of your rags. I’ll throw some oily paper towels into my reactors tonight and see what happens.

Flaxseed oil soaked paper towels caught fire last night after a long drying time! Continuing my research and adding this to my thesis.

@BioBrian That is an interesting experiment. You have convinced me to try a few things for fun. Thanks!