Topic: Just caught everything on fire!!!

[Frankenkit]

it's happened to me, too, except with ether.

[Burnboy]

ya i was reminded of the pics of the spikybike

[manjisann]

Crotch rocket anyone 

Seriously, glad you are ok. I've read enough of these threads (one was enough) that installed a fire extinguisher right next to my work bench. I've had enough fuel spills to make me wary.

Not trying to jack the thread, but oily rags have been mentioned. I can't remember, is it the ones that are exposed to oxygen or deprived of oxygen that will spontaneously combust? Just trying to figure out the best way of disposing of them without catching the side of the house on fire.

Thanks,

Brandon

[Gordon]

Not trying to jack the thread, but oily rags have been mentioned. I can't remember, is it the ones that are exposed to oxygen or deprived of oxygen that will spontaneously combust? Just trying to figure out the best way of disposing of them without catching the side of the house on fire.

Thanks,

Brandon

They need sufficient air to oxidize, so you're supposed to store them in a sealed container.  I'm not sure about disposing of them, though.  I wash mine and reuse them. 

[HondaMan]

In recent years I've switched to the paper-towel type (Scotch blue seems best), so I don't keep the rags around anymore. It costs a bit more, to be sure, but it is safer, and I have a small metal trash can outside, with a plastic garbage bag inside like a liner, where I dispose of them until it is full. Then I take it to the curb with the garbage, and hope the trash truck picks it up and makes it to the dump before they combust...

[Sparked]

Not trying to jack the thread, but oily rags have been mentioned. I can't remember, is it the ones that are exposed to oxygen or deprived of oxygen that will spontaneously combust? Just trying to figure out the best way of disposing of them without catching the side of the house on fire.

Thanks,

Brandon

They need sufficient air to oxidize, so you're supposed to store them in a sealed container.  I'm not sure about disposing of them, though.  I wash mine and reuse them. 

If you wash your oily rags make sure you air dry them.  DO NOT dry them in a dryer or if you do leave them in a pile. if they are warm, and piled together they can and probably will start on fire after a couple of hours once you've gone in the house and gone to bed. And if they do light up, it's going to be one hot fire.  I've seen it happen where kitchen rags (used with PAM then washed) light up a restaurant.

[manjisann]

Thanks everyone for the explanation! I will have to get hold of a metal garbage container with a sealing lid. I mainly use heavy paper towels so I don't have to worry about washing them, but I would rather they don't catch on fire 

Thanks,

Brandon