Lamp oil
 

What are you guys using for indoor lamp oil? I need to stock up on more of it but it seems in my area the one gallon jugs are just not available anymore like I remember them being. Anyone store the stuff long term with any ill effects and how are you storing? I have some that is approx 5 years old and still burns well but seems to be discolored somewhat. Bought that at Walmart but they no longer stock it in sizes over a quart???? (at least around my area).

Thanks everyone.....

Re: Lamp oil
 

Just buy K-1 clear kerosene if you want lamp fuel in bulk.

Re: Lamp oil
 

Are you talking about kerosene? I've used kero that is over 10 years old...works fine. Keep in a clean sealed container...should be good for decades...unlike gasoline....that needs volitile components that quickly evaporate away...

Re: Lamp oil
 

What about Coleman gas/fuel in the smaller containers? I realize these may be more short term but what do you guys know about burning indoors? I've always used my lantern out doors. I was at Sam's the other day and almost picked up a 4 pack of the larger bottles. Held off as I wasn't sure about the economy of a short term solution. Basically, I out-thought myself. For the smal price I would imagine they would be good to have around. I have one partially used and 1 new currently.

Re: Lamp oil
 

Just picked up two of these lanterns:

http://www.lanternnet.com/Merchant2/...t_Code=DHL2000

With this fuel:

http://www.lanternnet.com/Merchant2/...t_Code=6700-64

Oh, and some spare wicks too!

Re: Lamp oil
 

I have kerosene stored at my place that is probably 30, maybe 40 years old - it used to be used to run a Raeburn cooker, but that's long gone. Not only does it work fine as lamp oil, it runs my old diesel VW as well as any "new" stuff does.
We had a 2000 litre tank of the stuff when I disposed of the stove, and even then it hadn't been used since Jesus was a baby.
By the way, you can "rejuvenate" old stale petrol with cellulose thinners - I think you can just buy it as plain Xylene or Toluene over there in the US. Knocks that octane ratio WAY back up!

Re: Lamp oil
 

The last time I ran out of kerosene, I went to the airport and refilled the five gallon jug with jet fuel. It burns nicely and has a lot less smell.

Re: Lamp oil
 

Oh, if you want real light, make sure to buy a couple of oil lamps that use mantles. I have a few "Aladdin" ones, and if you keep the wick trimmed and the chimney clean, they are very bright indeed. I'd guess 5 times as bright as a hurricane type lamp. But buy a lot of mantles as well, they are cheap but one knock and they need replaced.
Very top-heavy, so you need to be careful if there are children or bottles of whiskey around (both fit in the same risk category! :D ), but it's pretty simple to build a wall-mounted holder for them which will keep them upright.
At my BO place we've been using these since it was built, well before I was born.

Re: Lamp oil
 

Toluene is 114 octane we use it in the turbo race cars to boost octane of the 91 pump gas we get here in NM. You can get it at Office Depot, Lowes or Sherman Williams Paint stores.

Re: Lamp oil
 

I use cellulose thinners, it's a mixture of both - it probably gets called something different in the US though. Around $7 per gallon if you buy it in gallon cans, a lot cheaper if you buy it in drums. I use it in my cars as an octane booster as well, sometimes a few degrees extra ignition advance gives you just what you need!

Re: Lamp oil
 

Luke,

Make sure you're getting the ultra-pure lamp oil, not the "Liquid Paraffin". The latter is made more for the decorative lamps and will gum up a regular wick, and will ruin a mantle.

Re: Lamp oil
 

Yep thought of that but I wanted to stay away from the stink with kero if possible. I am sure one day that will be the least of my concerns....:wink:

Did some more digging around at a few general hardwares around here and I did find a 100 oz jug of the "Lamplight" lamp oil brand. $16.00. Wow.....maybe kero isn't looking so bad....HAHA....

Does anyone know what lamp oil really is? Kero cut with something? Wonder if a laymen could make it up like bio-diesel?

Thanks for all the tips my friends.

Re: Lamp oil
 

I seem to find it at garage sales, 50 cents here.. a dollar there, depending on
the size container.

I've been doing garage sales for many years. I must say.. some of my best scores have been this year. Times are tough and people are letting good stuff go pretty cheap.

Gas money?

Peace
TLM

Re: Lamp oil
 

Haven't tried it, but have heard you can use old cooking oil and old engine oil as lamp oil. probably stink up the house for sure, but could do in a pinch (or when you cant buy teh others any more).

Re: Lamp oil
 

You're supposed to be able to use regular cooking oil, but add a pinch of salt so it doesn't smoke.