Linseed oil oxidizes easily; under the right conditions, SC is
definitely possible.
JR
Dweller in the cellar

On Wed, 9 Dec 2009 23:07:46 -0500, "Existential Angst"
wrote:


Awl --

Any thoughts on this, esp. on how likely this all is? Anyone with personal
experience?

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Spontaneous_combustion says Yea on the
possibility, for *uncovered* Linseed oil soaked rags. Also large Q's of
pistachio nuts -- no foolin....

But what are the likelihoods? wrt to various oils, grease? Motor oils?

A very cautious shop-type friend says this happened to him, burned down part
of his house.

Grease fires in vents are a little more understandable, given their
proximity to exhaust heat and poss. sparks, but still seems like a long
shot. But something to consider, esp. in an old house. I wonder what the
buildup is like, with good modern filters.
With old mesh washable filters, I saw no buildup in vents that had to be
over 30 years old, altho not sure of the cooking hours on these vents.

But I do know that if I were freezing in the wilds with my oily rags and
kitchen grease, hell would freeze over before I would be able to ignite this
stuff. heh....
--------------------------------------------------------------
Home Page: http://www.seanet.com/~jasonrnorth
If you're not the lead dog, the view never changes
Doubt yourself, and the real world will eat you alive
The world doesn't revolve around you, it revolves around me
No skeletons in the closet; just decomposing corpses
--------------------------------------------------------------
Dependence is Vulnerability:
--------------------------------------------------------------
"Open the Pod Bay Doors please, Hal"
"I'm sorry, Dave, I'm afraid I can't do that.."