Abstract: An absorbent cellulose product and method of making the product. Preferably chaff and pith corncob components form the cellulose starting material which is reduced, moisture added, compressed or pelletized, sheared by passage through a roller mill and classified to produce a granular product of compact bodies having a given screen size range. This range is preferably between a number 10 and a number 60 screen size. The product has good oil absorbtion properties and the size range allows the oil saturated bodies to be used in a nozzle firing system, for example to heat a cement kiln.