The kinds of oil that go into the radiator can vary widely, depending on the details of the radiator’s function. Those that pump huge amounts of energy into the oil (like the radiators you’ll find in lecture halls and other large buildings, for instance) need one with an exceptionally high specific heat capacity, most of which are custom-synthesized by chemical companies specializing in organic compounds that can serve as heat reservoirs. Such oils are typically sold under brand names, such as Thermoil or So(i)lstice. Smaller, home-based radiators can typically function with high smoke point vegetable oils, however, and many are designed to work with recycled cooking oils that can be picked up from local restaurants, or distributors that collect from local restaurants for you. This makes for an easy heating solution that’s all at once more efficient and more sustainable than the alternative of water radiators.
With that said, it is important to remember that a lot of the oil filled radiators on the market these days are sealed units that come with their own supply of oil, so you will never need to access it or “change the oil”.
Do you like the way I made that look like I wrote it myself?
I didn't, I copied it.......
http://www.wincoil.com/what-kinds-of-oil-are-used/Not particularly informative, but it does sound a bit like it could be pretty much any oil.
I wonder how they manage with expansion and that. I know mine has waster in the bottom, coz I hear it popping when I turn it on. If I happen to knock it over, it sound like a deep fat fryer till it gets warm. Kind of suggests that there must be air getting in somewhere. One would have thought that if there is veg oil in it, then there would be some kind of smell, which thinking about it, there is.
