Kerosene Lamp - Fuels

Fuels

Generic lamp oil is available clear or in a choice of several colors and in scented and unscented forms. Lamp oil burns cleaner and with less odor than kerosene. K-1 kerosene is the preferred fuel for kerosene wick lamps. Red kerosene is dyed red and is slightly less expensive than K-1 kerosene, as no motor-fuel taxes are collected on it. "Klean-Heat" is a cleaner-burning, nicer-smelling kerosene substitute, sold at many hardware stores during winter. Citronella oil is a citronella-scented lamp oil; some brands also have lemongrass oil in them and they are used for their insect repellent properties and should only be used outdoors.

Kerosene wick lamps should only be operated with kerosene or lamp oil, but alternative fuels are used in an emergency. Such fuels may produce additional smoke and odor and may not be usable indoors. Tractor vaporizing oil is made from kerosene with some additive to make a motor fuel for tractors. No. 1 diesel fuel is about the same as kerosene but with the additives to make it a motor fuel. Jet A jet-engine fuel is essentially kerosene with a few additives.

Any liquid with a low flash point presents a risk of fire or explosion if used in a kerosene wick lamp. Such liquids include:

• Charcoal lighter fluid
• Gasoline (petrol)
• Naphtha, white gas or coleman fuel
• mineral spirits, paint thinner, white spirit or stoddard solvent
• other hydrocarbon solvents such as turpentine, benzene, zylene, toluene, acetone, camphene, lacquer thinner
• denatured alcohol.

Contamination of lamp fuel with even a small amount of gasoline results in a lower flash point and higher vapor pressure for the fuel, with potentially dangerous consequences. Vapors from spilled fuel may ignite; vapor trapped above liquid fuel may lead to excess pressure and fires. Kerosene lamps are still extensively used in areas without electrical lighting; the cost and dangers of combustion lighting are a continuing concern in many countries.