Kerosine or oil?

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What is the difference in kerosine and oil lamps? Can they be used interchangeably?

-- Freda McClain (mcclain@coscc.cc.tn.us), June 10, 1999

Answers

Kerosine smells and can cause headaches in some people. For indoors use lamp oil. I am not sure about the Coleman mantle type lamps that you have to pump. I think only fuel oil or kerosine will work in those.

-- Carol (abca@abc.com), June 10, 1999.

Yes Freda, kerosene & lamp oil can be used interchangeably in oil lamps. Regular lamp oil ($1.00/22 oz. at Family Dollar) burns cleaner than kerosene. Ultra-pure lamp oil burns cleaner still, but costs approximately twice the price of regular lamp oil.

If interested in using kerosene you should look for K-1 (clear) kerosene. This is available in my neck of the woods at many gas stations for $1.00-$1.30 per gallon. Kerosene has a much longer shelf life than gasoline - years as opposed to months.

Best Wishes,

-- Bingo1 (howe9@pop.shentel.net), June 10, 1999.


It depends on the appliance whether or not you can use Kerosene or Lamp Oil in them. The appliance itself should tell you what you are suppose to use in it. The Petromax multi-fuel lantern for example, can use any combustible fuel source, whereas the Coleman (some newer models this does not apply) uses only Coleman fuel and nothing else. Most wick lanterns will use lamp oil or kerosene. If the wick is kept clean, you should have minimal smell. When using fuel burning appliances (except for lamp oil)you should have a window cracked a bit to prevent carbon monoxide poisoning. Although unlikely with a Petromax Lantern, I would always suggest cracking open a window a bit with it and purchase a carbon monoxide detector. None of us are used to using these appliances on a daily basis, so it is good to practice now when there is no crisis so we can become accustomed to using them and feel safer about their use. Hope this is helpful to you, Diane

Highland Traders

-- Diane (
prepare@highlandtraders.com), June 10, 1999.


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