What is Lamp Oil?

home garden

Lamp oil is a liquid petroleum product that is designed to burn cleanly in brass and glass oil lamps, torches and lanterns. In the same family as kerosene, lamp oil has been further processed and refined so that it doesn't produce as much harmful smoke, soot and other pollutants. Lamp oil can be used for everything from emergency indoor lighting during a blackout to soothing lamp light for a summer evening's barbecue.

When homes used to be lit solely by lamps, the fuel they burned was usually kerosene, similar to gasoline or charcoal lighter fluid. Kerosene, however, wasn't ideal, since it creates a lot of black soot that darkens the glass globes of lanterns and dirties windows, walls, fabric and anything with which it comes in contact. Manufacturers, under pressure from eager consumers, decided to distill kerosene further so the fuel could be burned indoors without as much inconvenience.

Now you can find "ultrapure" or "ultraclean" lamp oil at most supermarkets, outdoor suppliers and camping stores. Some people keep a store of lamp oil along with other emergency supplies, such as a battery-powered radio, water and first aid kit. Lamps are safer than candles and more reliable than flashlights.

As an oil distillate, lamp oil is a flammable liquid that releases energy in the form of light and heat when hydrocarbons burn. Like other hydrocarbon products, lamp oil must be treated with care. Always follow the instructions of your lamp or lantern when filling the reservoir. Usually, it's safe to fill it to within about 1/2 inch (1 cm) of the top. Clean and clip the wick before each lighting and never roll down the wick while it is alight. Lamp oil should be kept at or near room temperature, not in a garage or shed where it could freeze. Frozen oil may defrost too quickly, posing an explosive hazard.

The standard variety of lamp oil resembles water in its viscosity. It's also perfectly clear. However, there are many specialty varieties that appeal to people's sense of design. Oil can be colored so it adds a decorative touch to lanterns with transparent reservoirs. Purple or red flare up a romantic atmosphere, while green and blue evoke serenity.

Oil can also be aromatic so that when it burns, it spreads a soothing scent through the air, much like an air freshener. Rose or lavender might be appropriate scents for a master bathroom or bedroom, while lemongrass or vanilla could scent a kitchen. Of course, citronella lamp oil, when burned in outdoor torches, keeps away mosquitoes and other bothersome insects so you and your guests can enjoy the night air.

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New: Discuss this Article

Posted by: anon14340
as someone mentioned it can be poisonous, but then again, so is nutmeg. as for info about it, just email the manufacturer asking for an MSDS sheet. they are required by law to send you one. MSDS sheet, meaning material safety data sheet.
Posted by: anon13218
So you're aware, the lamp oil bottle I've got says "harmful or fatal if swallowed." And I've been told when asking about water purification for hiking that hydrocarbons do bad things to your stomach. That justified not taking water from a lake that motorboats went on.
Posted by: anon7590
To the anonymous person that responded about the grandfather. I thank you for the information. I remember the sugar but didn't remember exactly how it went. You have jogged my memory and I can see my grandmother doing the same.

Now I would like to ask is the kerosene I would find in the store the same as what they used back then? I have been on the Internet trying to get answers from distributors and they have not answered me back.

I would think of using it for myself as I have been reading about the antibiotics and the bad effects they are having on our bodies. Also doctors have given out so much they are almost of no effect. I am looking for other ways of treating myself and maybe others that are willing.

I have a friend, Ed, who also said he was in charge of filling the lanterns and he would ever so often get some down his throat and he did not have colds or flu. Maybe since he is much older then I he might know where to get the kerosene. Esther Mae:

Posted by: anon7566
To the person posting the comment about ingesting Kerosene: My grand folks would use home concoctions of kerosene. When my grandfather felt a cold coming on he would get a level Tablespoon full of sugar and then pour some kerosene into it until full. He would, on occasion, put a dab of Vicks Rub into the mixture. When I pressed him the reason he told me that it cured the FLU. He would have gone through the Flu Pandemic of the early 1900's and I believe that is where the use came from. I would not think of using it myself
Posted by: anon6428
There was a widely-used insect repellent in this country (NZ) many years ago, when the pioneers were said to have consumed lump sugar dipped in kerosene which, when exuded through the pores kept sandflies away.

It was said to have worked for that purpose, though the personal freshness of a Model T Ford must have been a bit of a drawback I imagine!

Dave (NZ)

Posted by: anon6057
Thank for that information. I had forgotten about the cats and hairballs. A friend of mine was telling me that as a boy it was his job to fill the lanterns. He said he would suck on the hose to get it started and once in awhile he would get some of the fluid down his throat. He did not take much but he noticed he was not coming down with colds or flus like the rest of the family.

Basically, my question is; kerosene, is it the same today as it was 50-100 years ago? I know we have the scented stuff but that is not what I am looking for. I was hoping for someone to have used it as well. eganstew

Posted by: anon6011
I am guessing your grandmother's use of kerosene as a home remedy was part of a once-popular idea that a host of ills could be cured by "cleaning out your system." Essentially, it probably worked as a laxative. I'm not sure I'd recommend the use of kerosene for this purpose, but petroleum jelly is an effective stool softener, safe when used in small amounts. Veterinarians often recommend, for example, that cats be given a fingertip-size dose of petroleum jelly every few days as a preventive for hairballs.
Posted by: anon4593
When I was a child my grandmother would give me a teaspoon of kerosene. I do not know the purpose of it and would like to find out if anyone has any knowledge to why, what, and the purpose. So far I have had one person say it is for parasites, and another said it took care of colds. Does anyone have any information?
Posted by: lamplight
You cannot add food coloring to lamp oil. Food coloring is water based and as the saying goes "oil and water do not mix." You can easily purchase colored oil for the same price as clear.
Posted by: anon3091
Wil it be safe to burn my lamp oil if I add food coloring into it?
Posted by: eganstew
I see that the difference between 'Lamp Oil' and 'Kerosene' is the processing, so can I interchange the two. If not where can I find Kerosene?

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