Can I use kerosense in a oil lamp?

Question

I have a flat wick oil lamp and it says to fill it with florasense brand oil,

It says at the bottom not to use gas alcohol or solvents as fuel.

I placed kerosene in there instead because I had that lying around.

It works but would the lamp support it?

Answer 1

Kerosene was used in glass lamps for hundreds of years. If the lamp is glass then you can use kerosene with no problem other than the smell. Of course they want you to use Florasense brand oil. That way they make more money than just that from selling you the lamp.

Answer 2

The name "Kerosene" was initially a trademark of a coal based lamp oil. Trademark status has been lost, and other oils for lamps were found to be easier to refine, now the term represents a petroleum based oil with a similar flash point.



Vermont Lantern says "While kerosene can be used, we do not recommend it due to higher soot and oder. Dyed kerosene or dyed lamp oil will eventually clog the wick and inhibit proper operation."



(Dyed fuel is a tax exempt status additive, not a decorative feature.)



I would bet the maker of the lamp was paid by MVP Group to stamp that statement on the lamp.

Answer 3

I can NOT recomend it Though typically used as a fuel, kerosene has very strong solvent properties. For ‘oil glazing’ in decorative finishing, kerosene is sometimes employed to make the glaze ‘hot’, increasing the workable time with the glaze, as well as ‘fusing’ with a glaze previously applied. No more than a capful per gallon is used and adding kerosene to any paint product is not recommended. http://www.artsparx.com/undmatsolv.html