lubricant for small electric fan in small appliance that is heat tolerant

[masraum]

We've got a Breville convection toaster oven. The fan has started to make some noise. Based on online searches, it seems that parts are NLA (and nearly impossible to change), but most folks report good results from spraying some lube on the shaft at the motor. And it's apparently very difficult to get the cover off of the oven because of the placement of a couple of screws. Most folks only get as far as being able to get the side pulled back by an inch or two, so they have to use a spray that's got a hose (like WD-40). I've seen things mentioned like lubes with teflon and silicone lubes.

I've heard lots of stuff mentioned. I'd just like to use whatever would be best (long lasting, hard to dispense under the circumstances, able to deal with high heat). The lube is outside of the cooking environment, but there's no insulation, so it'll be subject to heat. The back of the motor has a fan blade to keep it cool.

Here's a shot from the one guy that actually completely removed the cover.


This is the usual view

[Shaun @ Tru6]

Silicone is heat resistant.

[masraum]

Originally Posted by Shaun @ Tru6

Silicone is heat resistant.

Good to know.

I saw the temp range at the bottom of the description of the WD-40 silicone lube and thought, "perfect," but then I saw the bit about creating a film after it dries which doesn't sound ideal. I'll check some others.

WD-40 Specialist® Silicone Lubricant safely lubricates, resists water and protects metal and non-metal surfaces such as rubber, plastic and vinyl. Once dried, this formula leaves a clear, non-staining film that doesn't stick or make a mess, so it won't attract dirt. This silicone lubricant spray is great for use on cables, pulleys, guide rails, valves, linkages, hinges, locks and more. Effective in-use temperatures ranging from -100° F to 500° F.

[aschen]

Only thing to lubricate is the bearings right? THey are probably oilite bushings and not ball bearings right?

A tiny drop of oil on each bearing should be fine, but I wonder if the fan is causing somethng else to vibrate.

https://www.amazon.com/Synthetic-Lubricating-Controlled-Vehicles-Evaporate/dp/B00CVUR8S4/ref=sr_1_15?crid=3ITZ14CP9OQDR&dib=eyJ2IjoiMSJ9.-0ZXVwb3aTFJQ-1nfDQ7LKcVm04LWD8YXjrz_LoH5lWmcakWX1npt8uv3KWaLQgS RPcvYOuy8ap8AzY_dyyUMNwxk2lLXAE5xuwuncnkdSr0J6sDFU VwLIHfflSWsBCci6ng5epHmjlUKjneVVN3Ky72mJ8Q0PXHsvqZ LtvAthjiYfdNdd9EkEG2nQds7ya6RjbbdbCIQQuklSAZDAUM2Y dbhHB6pFiK2ssSMboFd9M.AwZV2tokQ4NSwXWvABXw4MZlEGFc JvpRzu-CkEstOpU&dib_tag=se&keywords=bearing+lubricating+oil&qid=1750274804&sprefix=bearing+lubri%2Caps%2C126&sr=8-15

[908/930]

Can you bend a piece of wire and get it to the motor shaft? If so my usual would just be synthetic engine oil, 5 or 10 w whatever. Just use the wire to transfer a drop of oil and let gravity flow it into the bearing. Krytox grease would also do a great job but most people don't have a tube sitting around.

[masraum]

Originally Posted by aschen

Only thing to lubricate is the bearings right? THey are probably oilite bushings and not ball bearings right?

A tiny drop of oil on each bearing should be fine, but I wonder if the fan is causing somethng else to vibrate.

https://www.amazon.com/Synthetic-Lubricating-Controlled-Vehicles-Evaporate/dp/B00CVUR8S4

Yes, almost certainly bushings and need a bit of oil, but nearly impossible to easily get to the shaft. I'm not actually expecting the oil to work, but we'll see. Several folks online have supposedly had success.

Originally Posted by 908/930

Can you bend a piece of wire and get it to the motor shaft? If so my usual would just be synthetic engine oil, 5 or 10 w whatever. Just use the wire to transfer a drop of oil and let gravity flow it into the bearing. Krytox grease would also do a great job but most people don't have a tube sitting around.

Genius, letting the oil run down the wire. I think that's how some ninjas were supposed to have administered poison into the gaping mouth of sleeping targets.

[908/930]

You should only need 1/2 of a drop of oil on the end of the wire, the small bushing should not need much.

[MBAtarga]

Originally Posted by masraum

Genius, letting the oil run down the wire. I think that's how some ninjas were supposed to have administered poison into the gaping mouth of sleeping targets.

It was attempted in a James Bond movie - IIRC, it got the girl instead of him.

Sewing machine oiler off Amazon:
https://www.amazon.com/ZOOM-SPOUT-OILER-MACHINE-U-S/dp/B077KDT2RZ

[masraum]

Originally Posted by MBAtarga

It was attempted in a James Bond movie - IIRC, it got the girl instead of him.

Ah, right, the one that actually had the secret base inside the volcano!

[fanaudical]

Originally Posted by 908/930

Can you bend a piece of wire and get it to the motor shaft? If so my usual would just be synthetic engine oil, 5 or 10 w whatever. Just use the wire to transfer a drop of oil and let gravity flow it into the bearing. Krytox grease would also do a great job but most people don't have a tube sitting around.

I agree - My go-to for this would be a drop of 5w20 synthetic (because I have it handy for the truck).

I've had trouble with Krytox drying out on motor bearings and then not being quite slick enough. The PTFE paste just flings out of the contact places and then doesn't really provide lube.

[Cajundaddy]

Food grade silicone would be my choice. Also potentially a non-stick spray like Pam could work and will not poison you. I would avoid motor oil or PTFE as when it does reach flash point the off gas is toxic.

Here is a complete how-to by some unknown dude.
https://greenwaykitchen.com/how-to-lubricate-convection-oven-fan-2/#google_vignette

[pwd72s]

Super Lube brand makes a bunch of food safe lubricants.


https://www.super-lube.com/

[wdfifteen]

Originally Posted by masraum

Good to know.

I saw the temp range at the bottom of the description of the WD-40 silicone lube and thought, "perfect," but then I saw the bit about creating a film after it dries which doesn't sound ideal. I'll check some others.

The film is the lubricant. But this is not the best stuff for bearings. My approach would be, “I can’t use it as it is, so if I eff it up getting this cover off I haven’t lost anything,” and I’d get the cover off. I’ve taken things like this apart a lot, usually break some fasteners and have to get creative about re-attaching the cover, and almost always have parts left over, but I make them function. Ten weight oil like good old 3-In-1 should work fine. You don’t need to worry about “food grade” on the fan bearings. That doesn’t look like the fan in the food cavity, it looks like it’s there to cool the electronics.

[masraum]

Originally Posted by fanaudical

I agree - My go-to for this would be a drop of 5w20 synthetic (because I have it handy for the truck).

Cool, I can manage that.

Originally Posted by Cajundaddy

Food grade silicone would be my choice. Also potentially a non-stick spray like Pam could work and will not poison you. I would avoid motor oil or PTFE as when it does reach flash point the off gas is toxic.

Here is a complete how-to by some unknown dude.
https://greenwaykitchen.com/how-to-lubricate-convection-oven-fan-2/#google_vignette

Good to know and definitely a consideration, thanks!

Originally Posted by pwd72s

Super Lube brand makes a bunch of food safe lubricants.


https://www.super-lube.com/

Good to know, but even more importantly, WELCOME BACK! I saw your post about a week ago, I think, saying that you were back and doing better, but this is the first post that I've seen other than that. It's GREAT to see you active on the board fella. I really hope that you're doing well (or at least much better and still improving).
I'm going to setup a gofundme to get you one of these so none of us have to go through this emotional rollercoaster again.

Originally Posted by wdfifteen

The film is the lubricant. But this is not the best stuff for bearings. My approach would be, “I can’t use it as it is, so if I eff it up getting this cover off I haven’t lost anything,” and I’d get the cover off. I’ve taken things like this apart a lot, usually break some fasteners and have to get creative about re-attaching the cover, and almost always have parts left over, but I make them function. Ten weight oil like good old 3-In-1 should work fine. You don’t need to worry about “food grade” on the fan bearings. That doesn’t look like the fan in the food cavity, it looks like it’s there to cool the electronics.

So you're saying that it's not drying to a dry film, possibly some sort of thinner that makes it easier to spray, and then it dries to a wet film of lube?
Yeah, there was a guy. The main issue is that there are a couple of screws that require something like 18" long small sized screwdrivers to remove.
The fan in the video is not the main fan. The motor has shaft sticking out both sides. One end has a fan mounted inside the cooking compartment to move the air around in the oven. The other side, as you say, has a small blade applied to keep the motor and stuff around it cool.

[911 Rod]

Graphite dry lubricant.
WD-40 is not a lubricant.

[masraum]

Originally Posted by 911 Rod

Graphite dry lubricant.
WD-40 is not a lubricant.

Nice suggestion about the graphite dry lube. I'm not sure if there's space to get the dry lube to the bearings of the motor though

Yes, regular WD-40 isn't a lubricant. The WD-40 that I posted above isn't regular WD-40. It is a lubricant - "WD-40 Specialist® Silicone Lubricant"

These days, WD-40 is essentially a brand that covers many products, including the original which is a drying agent, rust inhibitors, lubricants, etc...

[Scott Douglas]

This is my go to when things start to squeak or make noises they shouldn't.