Lanterns / Kerosene lamps

[Edgemont]

My wife and I discovered two kerosene lamps for sale for $15. They look somewhat used but in good condition. I have been wanting to get several for some time, but I have very little knowledge about them and where to get kerosene at.
Does anyone have much experience with them?

We could burn "Kerosene" and lamp oil correct?
What about Straight diesel? Is it exactly the same as kerosene?
Where would one usually get kerosene at?

[FeloDeSe]

Where to get kerosene at? Most gas stations have a pump. Walmart/Lowes/Home Depot/Ace lots of places.
We could burn "Kerosene" and lamp oil correct? Yes but you may need to replace wick when changing between the fuels
What about Straight diesel? Diesel needs to be warmed before burning so I would not suggest it.

[hikinbob]

I have these all over the yard. Burn citronella oil in them to keep bugs off kids. Provides light and insect protection. Love them.

[SeldomSeenSlim]

I have some portable hurricane lamps as well as some table top lamps. I burn lamp oil from the local hardware store. They can order a bulk 5 gallon pail.

I've never tried to burn diesel in one of the lamps. It would work I'd imagine, but diesel puts off more fumes and not the kind of thing I'd like to burn indoors.

[Gus14]

If you are going to use them inside you should only burn lamp oil. Other fuel sources are dirty or they smell bad. Also with the lamp oil you have very little to no carbon build up on the glass as long as you have your wick/flame adjusted correctly. Lamp oil is available from most of the big box stores and is usually available through hardware stores.
For outside use (keep AWAY from other combustibles) I have used kero, diesel, charcoal lighter fluid, even used motor oil mixed with white gas. I would not suggest you experiment unless you have a safe area to conduct your experiment(s). REMEMBER: Oil lamps are higher risk. Dont forget Mrs. O'leary's cow in 1871 (I think it was 1871) that started the great Chicago fire.
Safety FIRST!!!!

[NewHampshireLady]

Oil lamps are wonderful. We have a log cabin and everything inside that isn't wood is rod iron so we have several scattered around the house on hooks high enough to keep shoulders from hitting them as a person passes by. (high ceilings) They are really handy and one black one on each side of our fireplace/woodstove looks cozy. Definately lamp oil inside. It is true the other stuff smells like crap and crudes up the glass.

[Edgemont]

Hmm… Well thank you for the advice.
I'm thinking about maybe storing a 5 gallon jug of Diesel because it's cheap in addition to a little bit of lamp oil. The lamp oil that I've seen thus far has been spendy! Diesel would work in a pinch I think.

[trapper]

The secret to not crudding up the glass is to let the glass warm up before you turn up the flame. Light the lamp keep the flame low for a few minutes then you can turn it up higher.

[-06]

Would not use diesel in them unless you have to. It will smoke a lot. Clear K-1 kerosene will work fine and much cheaper than lamp oil. We have several and of different types-indoor/outdoor. You can still get wicks and I recommend you getting a few. Wicks need trimming occasionally to get the best flame and keep down sootting your globe too badly. Placing a mirror behind the lamp will greatly add to the light it produces. I do not have one yet but the best light producer I have ever seen is a kerosene one mantle Coleman lantern. Would use it only outside but they are bright.

[eeyore]

Would not use diesel in them unless you have to. It will smoke a lot. Clear K-1 kerosene will work fine and much cheaper than lamp oil. We have several and of different types-indoor/outdoor. You can still get wicks and I recommend you getting a few. Wicks need trimming occasionally to get the best flame and keep down sootting your globe too badly. Placing a mirror behind the lamp will greatly add to the light it produces. I do not have one yet but the best light producer I have ever seen is a kerosene one mantle Coleman lantern. Would use it only outside but they are bright.

Plus one on the information. The diesel will smoke a lot more.

[Edgemont]

I figured normal diesel would smoke a fair amount, but it also seems like a good thing to have on hand… Even though I don't own a diesel vehicle.
My MSR stove can use diesel. Plus, I've read that diesel stores really well long term if you add an anti-bacterial. Can anyone confirm this?
If I can store diesel cheaper than kerosene and it will last a long time, then it seems like a good backup.
Or maybe the correct "prepper" thing to do is store both! lol.

Thanks for the feedback.

[SeldomSeenSlim]

I don't have any hard data on this, but kerosene being denser than diesel would lead me to believe it would store better even without any kind of treatment. I store waste motor oil and have used some (not in lamps) that is many years old with no treatment whatsoever. Especially if it is only to be used in lamps. Even bad fuel burns.

I'd say the only storage consideration is water condensation like any other fuel. Although if you aren't sticking it in a motor even that might not be a concern.

[survivealone]

We have several oil lamps. We actually bought them as we collect primitive antiques but the sure came in handy during the power outage. .......but do be careful since it is a Flame !

BTW: You can buy Keorsene at most gas stations and many people use it for there kerosene heaters etc. Or you can buy regular lamp oil at walmart, kmart hardware store etc. And the lamp oils can even be scented.......

[miked2345]

I tried kerosene and lamp oil... The kerosene is cheaper, but in my case, it put off more soot than lamp oil.
When I turned down the knob to the point where the kerosene didn't smoke, the light output was lower than with the lamp oil... Also, I found the best price on lamp oil was at walmart.