Author Topic: Kerosine lamps (Read 4849 times)

Victor3 · « **on:** January 14, 2012, 10:52:59 PM »

My family and I like to use kerosine (oil) lamps, at home even when we have power. Fun to turn out the lights and play a board game by them once in a while. We have two lamps that date back to my Wife's Great Grandparents.

We use "liquid paraffin" (I know it isn't really liquid wax) because it's available where we shop and inexpensive enough seeing as we don't use much of it. No smoke or odor to speak of.

In a pinch though, besides kerosine or liquid paraffin what are some common fuels that can be used in oil lamps? Some folks use mineral spirits (paint thinner). I've tried it and couldn't stand the smell indoors. Fine outside on the patio though.

Just a note if you like useful antiques - Oil lamps are relatively inexpensive to collect and play with; every home had several before electricity became common so servicable ones are not rare. Parts are available from a number of sources if you run across one in need of repair.

Doug B. · « **Reply #1 on:** January 15, 2012, 02:01:10 AM »

I have an old Alladin (sp?) that I picked up some 30 years ago. Not only does it have a cylindrical wick, but it also sports an additional mantle. Consider the mantle an "after burner" if I may call it that. It puts out light that almost hurts to look at. I burn regular kerosene and it appears as thought the additional mantle takes care of most of the fumes.

Pat/Rick · « **Reply #2 on:** January 17, 2012, 01:05:09 PM »

My sisters each have a lamp that has been passed down for who knows how long. beutiful glass work.

Olive oil was probably the first lamp oil, Don't know if its cheaper than kerosene or lamp oil. IIRC Lehmans sells olive oil lamps or parts to make them. Looks like a glass bottle with metal top, some metal tube and wicking would do it. In the novel The Road, they used what they called a slut lamp. I imagine because it used whatever oil got put into it. A Zippo is basically a lamp, while I wouldn't use gasoline in a lamp, my father talked of using a "few drops" of gasoline in his zippo when in N Africa and italy during WWII. I would think that it could over pressure an oil lamp. One of the aladdin lanterns used to come with a small cook pot.

I am sure that type of oil dictates style and size of wick, but don't know which/what.

Swampman · « **Reply #3 on:** January 17, 2012, 01:40:24 PM »

I believe any vegetable oil would work as would bear oil. I collect "coal oil" lamps and lanterns. Kerosene isn't so good indoors.

I did run across this....

Kerosene (1K clear) will burn just fine in FLAT WICK kerosene lamps and lanterns. Circular wick lamps such as the Kosmos #14 and #15 burners (metal fount) and Victorian lamps by Miller, Bradley and Hubbard (B & H) and Plume and Atwood (P & A) burn far brighter, cleaner and nicer with "Paint Thinner - Low Odor Mineral Spirits." Used in flat wick lamps and lanterns, "Low Odor Mineral Spirits" burns so cleanly you seldom even have to trim the wicks, and as of 6.18.09 it costs $6.98 per gallon at my local True Value Hardware store.

The Hermit · « **Reply #4 on:** January 21, 2012, 02:20:40 PM »

I have 3 kerosene lamps in both of my cabins, but I actually prefer candles. When Donna was alive, she just loved dinner by kerosene lamp. Something soothing about that nice soft glow.
I make candle holders, reflector type, out of cans and like those the best. But, kerosene is better for reading at night.
You can use a variety of wax's to make your candles from, and they don't have that kero smell. You can leave a candle for years and its ready to use. Kerosene turns yellow as it ages, maybe the sulfer? They(lamps)used to be cheap here in the islands as most cottages had some, but now are harder to find.
Sometimes, I hate progress.

The Hermit

hillbill · « **Reply #5 on:** January 21, 2012, 03:00:11 PM »

deitz has a lot of good lanterns.they even have one that will burn 72 hrs on one fill.if i remember right.it is awesum for puttin in your well house during a power outtage.ive not noticed a prob with the smell with a properly adjusted kero lantern.but then i havent had a chance to burn mine during a power outtage lately.
oh and one thing i have learned, ther is two types of kero, the clear and the red. dont use the red in wick lanterns, the dye will plug up the wick after awhile.

Swampman · « **Reply #6 on:** January 22, 2012, 01:03:20 PM »

Don't use kerosene and you won't have the smell. It's ok for a lantern used outdoors but completely unsuitable for indoor use.

powderman · « **Reply #7 on:** January 22, 2012, 02:42:38 PM »

Good to hear we aren't the only ones who enjoy the old lamps. We use nothing but K1 kero, just under $4 gal. The only time I've noticed a strong odor was from an old lamp I bought that had kero in it. Even changing the kero it still stunk. I replaced the wick, washed the lamp out good, no more odor. Nothing wrong with kero indoors if the lamp is adj rt and wick trimmed regularly. Theres a kero additive I use too, helps it burn cleaner. We have at least 2 small ones we burn every night. I like the small ones too, 2 are burning now. The small round wick lamps were the first nite lites. In power outages I place them throught the house so my wife will not be afraid in total darkness. I too have put a lamp in a pumphouse, works great. POWDERMAN.

Victor3 · « **Reply #8 on:** January 22, 2012, 11:32:02 PM »

Quote from: Swampman on January 17, 2012, 01:40:24 PM

I believe any vegetable oil would work as would bear oil. I collect "coal oil" lamps and lanterns. Kerosene isn't so good indoors.

I did run across this....

Kerosene (1K clear) will burn just fine in FLAT WICK kerosene lamps and lanterns. Circular wick lamps such as the Kosmos #14 and #15 burners (metal fount) and Victorian lamps by Miller, Bradley and Hubbard (B & H) and Plume and Atwood (P & A) burn far brighter, cleaner and nicer with "Paint Thinner - Low Odor Mineral Spirits." Used in flat wick lamps and lanterns, "Low Odor Mineral Spirits" burns so cleanly you seldom even have to trim the wicks, and as of 6.18.09 it costs $6.98 per gallon at my local True Value Hardware store.

I did a little research on mineral spirits in kerosene lamps/lanterns. Several folks who appear to be knowledgeable strongly recommend that it not be used...

"There is a reason they are called "Kerosene" lanterns, and not "Paint Thinner" lanterns. Tubular lanterns, and most oil lamps that employ a wick delivery system, are designed for use with 150 Degree Test (read "Flash Point,") kerosene, which is a "straight run" petroleum distillate made for such use. Standard Lamp Oil, (such as Lamplight Farms Medallion Lamp Oil,) has a 142 Degree flash point, and is also an acceptable lamp or lantern fuel, being within 10% of the design standard.

Paint Thinner, (Mineral Spirits,) on the other hand, has a flash point of under 110 Degrees, and is a complex petroleum distillate that at best may produce (including odorless,) fumes that are not something that you would want to breathe near, and at worst has the potential for creating a runaway flame or worse."

http://www.lanternnet.com/faqs.htm#MINERALSPIRITS

powderman · « **Reply #9 on:** January 23, 2012, 04:35:19 PM »

VICTOR. Thanks for the link, no way would I put paint thinner in an oil lamp. Lamp oil is good but too expensive, nothing but k1 kerosene for me. We burn a couple every night. Nostalgia?? Maybe a bit, but we just enjoy the soft glow. POWDERMAN.

Doug B. · « **Reply #10 on:** January 23, 2012, 04:49:21 PM »

I like the soft glow too. I better for $4.39 a gallon!

powderman · « **Reply #11 on:** January 23, 2012, 04:53:33 PM »

Quote from: Doug B. on January 23, 2012, 04:49:21 PM

I like the soft glow too. I better for $4.39 a gallon!

Last I saw it was still under $4 here, still cheaper than lamp oil. POWDERMAN.

streak · « **Reply #12 on:** January 23, 2012, 05:58:34 PM »

I remember my grandmother firing up the coal oil Hurricane lamps when storms would knock out the electricty! Talk about some thunder boomers and lightning shows!! The lamps kind of gave a eerie but calming affect to the night!! This was in N.W. louisiana.

Victor3 · « **Reply #13 on:** January 23, 2012, 09:53:48 PM »

Quote from: powderman on January 23, 2012, 04:35:19 PM

VICTOR. Thanks for the link, no way would I put paint thinner in an oil lamp. Lamp oil is good but too expensive, nothing but k1 kerosene for me. We burn a couple every night. Nostalgia?? Maybe a bit, but we just enjoy the soft glow. POWDERMAN.

We like them a lot. One of my earliest memories is the one my parents had, with the ritual Dad would go through to fill and light it.

A little further research indicates that some mineral spirits have a flash point of ~120 degrees, so that type should be okay in some types of lamps/lanterns where the fuel res is not subject to high temps while burning and are self-extinguishing when turned on their side.

"Hot blast" tubular lanterns - where heated exhaust gas from the flame is recycled back into the fuel res and up through the burner - appear to be the most dangerous type to use mineral spirits in. However, it seems that tubular wick "center draugh" lamps - where fresh air is supplied via a tube passing through the fuel res - should be fine.

Interesting to note that mineral spirits appears to popular among the Amish. That may be because mineral spirits = coal oil and was used prior to the invention of kerosene in the majority of lamps in the US. On the other hand, maybe they use it because it's cheaper(?)

Anywhoo, just make sure whatever fuel you use won't turn your lamp/lantern into a Molotov cocktail.

tacklebury · « **Reply #14 on:** January 24, 2012, 04:59:01 PM »

Ace hardware has good quality Parafin Lamp oil for $12 per 100 oz.

More than Kero, but lasts longer and burns cleaner.

Victor3 · « **Reply #15 on:** January 24, 2012, 09:50:31 PM »

That works out to $15/gal, so ~4x what K1 costs. I don't mind paying that much for lamp oil since a gallon lasts us about a year and it has almost no odor/smoke. It does seem to last longer, but liquid paraffin only puts out ~1/2 the light of K1 in an average lamp/lantern. Might be a concern if you need sufficient light to work by.

Also, I've read that once you saturate a wick with paraffin oil it permanently loses its ability to use other fuels efficiently. No big deal since wicks are cheap, but something to be aware of if you want to use more than one type of fuel.

Victor3 · « **Reply #16 on:** January 24, 2012, 10:18:38 PM »

Quote from: Doug B. on January 15, 2012, 02:01:10 AM

I have an old Alladin (sp?) that I picked up some 30 years ago. Not only does it have a cylindrical wick, but it also sports an additional mantle. Consider the mantle an "after burner" if I may call it that. It puts out light that almost hurts to look at. I burn regular kerosene and it appears as thought the additional mantle takes care of most of the fumes.

I've never paid much attention to Aladdin lamps because they're so expensive. Looking at some info about them though, they appear to be the gold standard for non-pressurized mantle lamps. With output similar to a 60 watt bulb, I can see how they would be more useful than non-mantle kerosene lamps.

gatorshooter · « **Reply #17 on:** February 26, 2012, 02:31:14 PM »

Wenzel made a "coleman" type lantern that burns K1 suppose to be super bright and better than the coleman. Have never lit mine so can't say if it works or not. I just found it on sale, thought it was cool looking so I bought it. back before marriage and kids when I had money....

. still in the box in my attic.

kynardsj · « **Reply #18 on:** February 26, 2012, 04:11:34 PM »

I own several Dietz lanterns but the last new lantern I bought was a W.T. Kirk. I actually like it better and the one I own is all galvanized so it won't rust. Mostly in mine I burn the lamp oil I buy at Walmart. I gave up on the pressurized lanterns years ago and only use these or some of the battery powered ones these days at home during a power outage or when camping.

charles p · « **Reply #19 on:** February 26, 2012, 04:32:56 PM »

I just have a plan Jane vanilla kerosine globe table lamp. Don't know how long the fuel is good, but it must be 20 years old by now.

bilmac · « **Reply #20 on:** February 26, 2012, 04:49:09 PM »

Am I the only one that has the fuel evaporate out of the lamp over time?? Several posts have mentioned long periods of non use, but maybe not as extreme as what I experienced. My mother used to collect lamps and she must have had a hundred of them. She would fill them with the lamp oil stuff when she acquired them, but never burned them. Many, like 10 or 15, years later when she had gone to be with the Lord, and I was cleaning out the place I noticed that most of the lamps had low levels of fuel, some were almost empty. I'm sure the fuel just evaporated.

powderman · « **Reply #21 on:** February 26, 2012, 04:56:34 PM »

Quote

I've never paid much attention to Aladdin lamps because they're so expensive. Looking at some info about them though, they appear to be the gold standard for non-pressurized mantle lamps. With output similar to a 60 watt bulb, I can see how they would be more useful than non-mantle kerosene lamps.

VICTOR. Not sure I know exactly the type of lamp you mean. I have several oil lamps but nothing with an output of a 60 watt bulb. Is there a site I can see these??
BILMAC. I've had kero evaporate too, but it helps to lower the wick with less exposed to the air to evaporate. POWDERMAN.

bilmac · « **Reply #22 on:** February 26, 2012, 06:23:47 PM »

Alladan lamps are kerosine lamps that put out light like a coleman lantern. I've never seen one burn, but mom had one. Something about making the fuel hot before burning it on a mantle like gadget. I've heard people bad mouth them.

Lehman's has them, they have a website, sorry I don't do any fancy computer stuff like links.

Aren't you guys ever gonna go to bed??

Swampman · « **Reply #23 on:** February 26, 2012, 11:44:59 PM »

Quote from: bilmac on February 26, 2012, 04:49:09 PM

Am I the only one that has the fuel evaporate out of the lamp over time?? Several posts have mentioned long periods of non use, but maybe not as extreme as what I experienced. My mother used to collect lamps and she must have had a hundred of them. She would fill them with the lamp oil stuff when she acquired them, but never burned them. Many, like 10 or 15, years later when she had gone to be with the Lord, and I was cleaning out the place I noticed that most of the lamps had low levels of fuel, some were almost empty. I'm sure the fuel just evaporated.

I don't keep fuel in mine because it evaporates in a few months.

Doug B. · « **Reply #24 on:** February 26, 2012, 11:45:05 PM »

Here is a link that will give you a pretty good look of the internal workings.

http://www.aladdinlamps.com/userfiles/file/Model%2023A%20Heel-less%20Exploded%20View%20TEXT.pdf

I believe mine is the model 23 or 23A. The outer mantel actually captures the unburnt gasses the wick doesn't quite burn and when fully heated up, is uncomfortable to look at, it is that bright. I believe with the cylindrical wick they are not anywhere near as efficient as a flat wick model. But, if you need lots of light, it is a great lamp.

Oh....you can still buy them and they are NOT cheap!

http://www.aladdin-us.com/

Victor3 · « **Reply #25 on:** February 26, 2012, 11:52:39 PM »

Quote from: powderman on February 26, 2012, 04:56:34 PM

Quote
I've never paid much attention to Aladdin lamps because they're so expensive. Looking at some info about them though, they appear to be the gold standard for non-pressurized mantle lamps. With output similar to a 60 watt bulb, I can see how they would be more useful than non-mantle kerosene lamps.

VICTOR. Not sure I know exactly the type of lamp you mean. I have several oil lamps but nothing with an output of a 60 watt bulb. Is there a site I can see these??
BILMAC. I've had kero evaporate too, but it helps to lower the wick with less exposed to the air to evaporate. POWDERMAN.

Aladdin is still in business...

http://www.aladdinlamps.com/ViewPage.asp?PageID=5

Couple of weeks ago my curiosity got the best of me and I bought a nice 1930's era Aladdin brass table lamp on ebay. Still need to buy a wick, mantle and globe for it. Appears that the current production mantles only produce about what a ~40 watt bulb does. From what I've read, the older mantles were made with thorium, a radioactive material that caused them to glow brighter. You can still find NOS ones on ebay, however.

Couger · « **Reply #26 on:** February 27, 2012, 12:55:53 AM »

Victor, Can you direct us to such an eBay listing currently up (on eBay)?

What's a good 12-digit number to see one of those old wicks at eBay? THANKS!

Victor3 · « **Reply #27 on:** February 27, 2012, 11:57:06 PM »

Quote from: Couger on February 27, 2012, 12:55:53 AM

Victor, Can you direct us to such an eBay listing currently up (on eBay)?

What's a good 12-digit number to see one of those old wicks at eBay? THANKS!

I think you mean the old mantles(?) New-made wicks are available from a number of sources and from what I read, they are the way to go. Old ones supposedly can deteriorate over time and not work well.

The mantles made in Brazil in the 70's are supposed give the best light output. I just bought two Brazil-made mantles like the one below for $34 shipped. That's about what two new-made ones cost...

http://www.ebay.com/itm/360436496424?ssPageName=STRK:MEWAX:IT&_trksid=p3984.m1438.l2649

powderman · « **Reply #28 on:** February 29, 2012, 10:20:46 AM »

THanks for the links guys. I've seen aladins but never owned one and from seeing the prices never will, but I'd sure like to. POWDERMAN.

Victor3 · « **Reply #29 on:** March 01, 2012, 01:28:58 AM »

When I've got all the bits together I'll have ~$150 in mine, but it's a somewhat fancy antique lamp.

If you keep your eyes open on ebay you can find a nice modern model for a lot less. Collectors don't pay as much attention to them.