Fire Danger from storing oily stuff?

In a metal trash can outdoors?

With Linseed Oil and cotton or paper towels, hell no! You know, but for those that haven't heard (or read the MSDS) it will auto oxidize enough to self combust... Add water.

Or better yet, piss off the Smog Nazi's and make a little Burn Barrel to safely dispose of it in a controlled manner. (Which beats the hell out of an UNcontrolled manner...) Keep on hand: Garden hoses, dry chem extinguishers, additional help and a hot phone line to dial 911.

For other oily wastes, I'd still put the plastic bag in a steel trash can or dedicated steel "Oily Waste" shop can or a loose-top steel drum, just in case.

Inside or out, a steel container with a tight lid will contain a fire and snuff it from oxygen depletion. Just don't open the lid if it's still hot, or it's "Off to the races" again.

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It is safe. Motor oil does not polymerize, which is the process that gives off heat by some oils (e.g., linseed). Or ... something like that.

Also, I have often stored oily rags without any indication that they were about to go ablaze.

Bob

With a tightly closed metal cover.

"If the personal freedoms guaranteed by the Constitution inhibit the government's ability to govern the people, we should look to limit those guarantees."

Bill Clinton 1993-08-12