Grease Comparison
Yellow Grease (Batata) vs Lithium Grease: Which to Use
On Indian sites and in workshops, “yellow grease” or “batata grease” usually means a calcium-based grease, soft, water-resistant and cheap. Lithium grease is the higher-temperature, more versatile multi-purpose grease. They look similar in a tin but behave differently around water and heat. This page sets out where each one belongs so you stop overspending on lithium where batata will do, and stop using batata where it will melt out.
Wet and cool points suit batata (calcium) grease, which is cheaper and more water-resistant. Warm or mixed-duty points suit lithium grease. Stock both and assign by point rather than running one grease everywhere.
Yellow (batata) grease vs lithium grease
| Property | Yellow / Batata (calcium) | Lithium grease |
|---|---|---|
| Thickener | Calcium soap | Lithium soap |
| Colour | Yellow / pale | Brown / amber |
| Water resistance | Excellent | Good |
| Dropping point | ~90–110°C | ~185°C+ |
| Max operating temp | ~60–70°C | ~120–130°C |
| Multi-purpose use | Limited (low temp) | Wide |
| Indicative price | Lowest | Moderate |
When to pick batata grease
Batata (calcium) grease wins where water is the enemy and temperatures stay low: water pumps, chassis points exposed to rain, agricultural equipment, and general low-speed lubrication where cost matters more than heat tolerance. Calcium soap resists washout better than lithium, so it holds on surfaces that get wet. The limit is heat, above roughly 60–70°C calcium grease softens and bleeds, so keep it away from anything that runs hot.
When to pick lithium grease
Lithium grease is the default multi-purpose choice when you need one grease for mixed duty including warmer bearings and higher speeds. Its higher dropping point means it stays in place on equipment that heats up. For all-season multi-purpose work, see MP3 grease; for a stiff NLGI 3 all-purpose grade, see the AP3 grease comparison.
The water-resistance trade-off
If your only requirement is water resistance at low temperature, batata grease is the economical answer and there is no reason to pay for lithium. If the application sees both water and heat, look at a calcium grease or a lithium grade depending on the temperature, the detailed split is in calcium vs lithium grease. To understand what batata grease actually is, see what is batata grease.
Cost over a season, not per kilogram
Batata grease is cheaper per kilogram, but the honest comparison is cost over a service season for a given point. On a wet, low-temperature point, a water pump, an exposed chassis fitting, calcium grease both costs less and resists washout better, so it wins on both price and performance. On a warm point, batata grease looks cheaper until you count the re-greasing: it softens and runs out, so you refill more often and still get worse protection. There, lithium is cheaper once you account for labour and downtime, even at a higher per-kilogram price.
The practical rule for a mixed fleet is to stock both and assign them by point, rather than trying to run one grease everywhere. Mark wet, low-temperature points for batata and warm or higher-speed points for lithium. This avoids the two expensive mistakes: paying for lithium where batata would last just as long, and using batata where it bleeds out and leaves a bearing dry.
Storage and compatibility
Do not mix calcium and lithium greases in the same point, different thickeners can be incompatible and the blend may soften and run out. When switching a point from one to the other, purge the old grease fully before packing the new. Store both in closed containers away from heat and water; calcium grease in particular should be kept cool, as its lower dropping point means heat in storage can start to separate the oil.
Why buy from KE
Krish Enterprises manufactures both yellow/batata (calcium) grease and lithium-based greases in Mumbai, supplied across the MMR in pails and drums at roughly ₹60/kg for batata grades, with test certificates on request.
Frequently asked questions
Is batata grease the same as calcium grease?
Yes. “Batata” (potato, for its pale yellow colour) is the common Indian name for calcium-soap grease.
Can batata grease replace lithium grease?
Only in low-temperature, water-exposed applications. It is not suitable above about 60–70°C, where it softens and runs out.
Which is cheaper?
Batata (calcium) grease is the cheaper of the two and is often the right choice for wet, low-speed, low-temperature duty.
Why is it yellow?
The pale yellow colour of the calcium soap base gives it the “yellow” and “batata” nicknames.
Can I use yellow grease in wheel bearings?
Wheel bearings on anything that runs at speed or carries braking heat get warm, so a calcium yellow grease is the wrong choice, it will soften and run out. Use a lithium or lithium-complex grease rated for the temperature. Reserve batata grease for slow, cool, wet points.
Which grease is better for monsoon conditions?
For points exposed to standing water and rain at low temperature, calcium (batata) grease resists washout better and is the economical choice. For points that are both wet and warm, a lithium-complex or lithium-calcium grade gives water resistance with higher heat tolerance.
Does yellow grease expire?
It has a long shelf life if sealed and kept cool, but its lower dropping point makes it sensitive to heat in storage. Check older stock for oil separation before use and keep drums closed and out of the sun.
Related: Calcium Grease · What is Batata Grease