DIY Help - Can I use mineral oil in my vacuum pump?

Question

DIY Help - Can I use mineral oil in my vacuum pump?

Answer 1

Check the mfr of the pump. Seems like every pump I've used before used mineral oil, but those were roughing pumps for electronics. I have one in the garage but it doesn't say what kind of oil it needs. But you are sucking it anyway, shouldn't backstream. Just use a decent one way valve.

Answer 2

Vacuum Pump Oil Substitute

Answer 3

A light "top engine" oil should work fine. It is called Marvel Mystery oil here but you may fine something that will tell you it cleans sticky valves or something like that in the auto parts store.

Answer 4

This Site Might Help You.



RE:

DIY Help - Can I use mineral oil in my vacuum pump?

I'm going to be using it to prepare myself freeze-dried food and am worried about the oil backstreaming, so I read that I might be able to use food grade mineral oil as a lubricant for my vacuum pump. Anyone have opinions?

Answer 5

Short answer, yes you can use it. A longer answer, there are better alternatives. Since you are using the oil in a vacuum process there is very little chance it will enter or contaminate your process batch.

To maintain the vacuum in your food container, you will be sealing it while vacuum is still being applied, so back-flow will be very unlikely.

Mineral oil IS a petroleum based oil, so even though it is used as a laxative it can still be hazardous. A better alternative would be to use a synthetic lube like ANDEROL 500. I have been involved in the diving/ firefighting industry for many Years, and this is the standard oil to be used in breathing air compressors. It is a vegetable/ plant based oil, so much less harmful if aspirated, so would be the same if you accidentally contaminated your foods and ingested it.