I'v noticed that when I burn the exact same fuel, kerosene, in a Deitz hurricane lantern, that I burn in an indoor oil lamp that is made of glass, the Deitz will emit odors that the glass oil lamp will not. Does anybody know the physics for this phenomenon, or at least how to prevent it. I have a metal Deitz and would use it indoors except for the odor it gives off when lit. Does the fact that the kerosene is in contact with metal before it is ignited cause it turn have a stronger odor than when it is contact with glass before it is ignited?

-- John Fritz (aeon30@hotmail.com), August 09, 2000

Answers

Deitz are made for outside use, keep in mind that you are collecting the residue in the top where the oil lamp exhaust is not restricted and continue to rise to the ceiling, climb up a ladder you will find the odor up there. Try using paint thinner, (mineral spirits), it has less odor and can be bought "odor free". Where I live paint thinner is cheaper than kerosene.

-- Hendo (OR)r (redgate@echoweb.net), August 10, 2000.

John,is your lantern new?it may be some of the paint burning off the top of the lantern.

-- Jim (Flintlock1999@yahoo.com), August 13, 2000.