I noticed that BBQ starter fluid (Wal Mart brand) seems to be basically
the same as liquid paraffin. It looks the same in a clear glass, it has
far less scent that liquid paraffin (I was surprised at this),
approximately the same viscosity, it burns very similarly (when poured
on a rag), the smoke produced looks and smells the same and since I have
several large oil lamps onboard, and lamp oil costs about US$ 12/gal.
while starter fluid is US$8 /gal (maybe less) I ask:
Does anyone (chemically knowledgeable) know if "BBQ starter fluid" is a
valid substitute for "liquid paraffin". If not, does anyone know of a
less expensive substitute ?

I think that BBQ starter fluid is basically kerosine. Interesting that
you mention the odor of liquid parafin. I have been using liquid
parafin in my oil lamps for years and it has absolutely no odor.
That was the whole point of using it.

Doug
s/v Callista

"Jeff Fisher" wrote in message
...
I noticed that BBQ starter fluid (Wal Mart brand) seems to be basically
the same as liquid paraffin. It looks the same in a clear glass, it has
far less scent that liquid paraffin (I was surprised at this),
approximately the same viscosity, it burns very similarly (when poured
on a rag), the smoke produced looks and smells the same and since I have
several large oil lamps onboard, and lamp oil costs about US$ 12/gal.
while starter fluid is US$8 /gal (maybe less) I ask:
Does anyone (chemically knowledgeable) know if "BBQ starter fluid" is a
valid substitute for "liquid paraffin". If not, does anyone know of a
less expensive substitute ?

Well neither "BBQ starter fluid" or "liquid paraffin" are chemical names so
its difficult to give a definitive answer. Different manufacturers might
use somewhat different distillates. If you could get a "Material Safety
Data Sheet, MSDS" from the manufacturer/supplier this might allow you to
figure out how close they are. You want to look at data for :
flash point
boiling range or boiling point
composition, possibly carbon number range,e.g.. C7-C14

From your description they sound pretty similar in properties, close enough
for burning in lamps. Basically you want to avoid using anything too
volatile/flammable like naphtha or something that's going to be too smoky,
the other end of the spectrum.

"Jeff Fisher" wrote in message
...
I noticed that BBQ starter fluid (Wal Mart brand) seems to be basically
the same as liquid paraffin. It looks the same in a clear glass, it has
far less scent that liquid paraffin (I was surprised at this),
approximately the same viscosity, it burns very similarly (when poured
on a rag), the smoke produced looks and smells the same and since I have
several large oil lamps onboard, and lamp oil costs about US$ 12/gal.
while starter fluid is US$8 /gal (maybe less) I ask:
Does anyone (chemically knowledgeable) know if "BBQ starter fluid" is a
valid substitute for "liquid paraffin". If not, does anyone know of a
less expensive substitute ?

Gordon,
I checked both "lamp oil" and "starter fluid" at the national MSDS
repository and there are a couple of different products companies /
product names for lamp oil and only one for starter fluid. The info is
different and sparse so I could glean much. I did note that starter
fluid from Texaco contains benzene! Thanks for your input.
Jeff

Gordon Wedman wrote:

Well neither "BBQ starter fluid" or "liquid paraffin" are chemical names so
its difficult to give a definitive answer. Different manufacturers might
use somewhat different distillates. If you could get a "Material Safety
Data Sheet, MSDS" from the manufacturer/supplier this might allow you to
figure out how close they are. You want to look at data for :
flash point
boiling range or boiling point
composition, possibly carbon number range,e.g.. C7-C14

From your description they sound pretty similar in properties, close enough
for burning in lamps. Basically you want to avoid using anything too
volatile/flammable like naphtha or something that's going to be too smoky,
the other end of the spectrum.

"Jeff Fisher" wrote in message
...


I noticed that BBQ starter fluid (Wal Mart brand) seems to be basically
the same as liquid paraffin. It looks the same in a clear glass, it has
far less scent that liquid paraffin (I was surprised at this),
approximately the same viscosity, it burns very similarly (when poured
on a rag), the smoke produced looks and smells the same and since I have
several large oil lamps onboard, and lamp oil costs about US$ 12/gal.
while starter fluid is US$8 /gal (maybe less) I ask:
Does anyone (chemically knowledgeable) know if "BBQ starter fluid" is a
valid substitute for "liquid paraffin". If not, does anyone know of a
less expensive substitute ?

Hi Doug,
You are right that they (both) have no odor while burning. I poured each
into a clear glass and smelled them, to my nose, the starter fluid was
"odorless" while the liquid paraffin lamp oil (Ultra Pure brand) did
have a distinctive odor. It does not smell like kerosene to me. Thanks
for you input.
Jeff

Doug Dotson wrote:

I think that BBQ starter fluid is basically kerosine. Interesting that
you mention the odor of liquid parafin. I have been using liquid
parafin in my oil lamps for years and it has absolutely no odor.
That was the whole point of using it.

Doug
s/v Callista

"Jeff Fisher" wrote in message
...


I noticed that BBQ starter fluid (Wal Mart brand) seems to be basically
the same as liquid paraffin. It looks the same in a clear glass, it has
far less scent that liquid paraffin (I was surprised at this),
approximately the same viscosity, it burns very similarly (when poured
on a rag), the smoke produced looks and smells the same and since I have
several large oil lamps onboard, and lamp oil costs about US$ 12/gal.
while starter fluid is US$8 /gal (maybe less) I ask:
Does anyone (chemically knowledgeable) know if "BBQ starter fluid" is a
valid substitute for "liquid paraffin". If not, does anyone know of a
less expensive substitute ?

Charcoal starter ins't a chemical name as you say, but I believe
"liquid parafin" is pretty specific.

Doug
s/v Callista

"Gordon Wedman" wrote in message
news:j0xOc.23$T_6.4@edtnps89...
Well neither "BBQ starter fluid" or "liquid paraffin" are chemical names
so
its difficult to give a definitive answer. Different manufacturers might
use somewhat different distillates. If you could get a "Material Safety
Data Sheet, MSDS" from the manufacturer/supplier this might allow you to
figure out how close they are. You want to look at data for :
flash point
boiling range or boiling point
composition, possibly carbon number range,e.g.. C7-C14

From your description they sound pretty similar in properties, close
enough
for burning in lamps. Basically you want to avoid using anything too
volatile/flammable like naphtha or something that's going to be too smoky,
the other end of the spectrum.

"Jeff Fisher" wrote in message
...
I noticed that BBQ starter fluid (Wal Mart brand) seems to be basically
the same as liquid paraffin. It looks the same in a clear glass, it has
far less scent that liquid paraffin (I was surprised at this),
approximately the same viscosity, it burns very similarly (when poured
on a rag), the smoke produced looks and smells the same and since I have
several large oil lamps onboard, and lamp oil costs about US$ 12/gal.
while starter fluid is US$8 /gal (maybe less) I ask:
Does anyone (chemically knowledgeable) know if "BBQ starter fluid" is a
valid substitute for "liquid paraffin". If not, does anyone know of a
less expensive substitute ?

I have
several large oil lamps onboard, and lamp oil costs about US$ 12/gal.

I bought a gallon of Weems and Plath
liquid paraffin for about $20.00 at West
Marine. I, for one would like to find a
good substitute.

Defender.com has 2.5 g lamp oil for $25.99 plus shipping
"MLapla4120" wrote in message
...
I have
several large oil lamps onboard, and lamp oil costs about US$ 12/gal.

I bought a gallon of Weems and Plath
liquid paraffin for about $20.00 at West
Marine. I, for one would like to find a
good substitute.

We get lamp oil at places like KMart. Sometimes all we can get is
scented, which is more expensive and we don't like it.

Doing a search I find (in order of increasing cost without shipping)

https://www.craftsetc.com/Store/Show...?c=40&p=317453
Lf03 Liquid Flame No Smoke Lamp Oil
Our Price: $1.99
SKU: 317453
Color: UNSCENTED CLEAR
Size: 16 OZ [0.124/oz]

http://doityourself.com/store/6104277.htm
45 Oz. Clear Ultrapure Lamp Oil by Lamplight Farms
SKU: 6104277
Candle & Lamp Oil Ultra - Pure 45 Ounces Color = Clear
Retail Value: $8.95
DoItYourself.com Price: $6.49 [0.143/oz]

Star Light Lamp Fuel - Ice Blue Lamp Oil
Star Light Lamp Fuel is pure liquid paraffin, safe to burn, odorless
and smokeless. 24 Fluid Ounces (710ml) will burn for approx. 150 hours
$4.95 [0.20.65/oz]

http://www.discountcandleshop.com/pr...oducts_id/2294
Liquid Paraffin Lamp Oil
- 1 Gallon: $24.08 [0.188/gal]
22 oz. $4.75 [0.21.59/oz]
Our 99% pure, uncolored liquid paraffin lamp oil is clean burning,
smokeless, and odorless.

http://www.orvis.com/store/product_c...subcat_id=6130
Safety First Lamp Oil from Orvis

Top-quality lamp oil burns free of odor, with no smoke or carbon
build-up. So safe, we ship it UPS or Parcel Post. 97% paraffin. Set of
two 1-quart bottles.
$15.00 Safety First Lamp Oil (SI2415-00-00)
(so that is $15.00 for two quarts or 0.46/oz)

I found a survivalist website which under Oil Lamp Basics says:

The easiest fuel to use is lamp oil and it’s available in any large store, Wal-Mart, Kmart, Ames, etc. and most of the small ones around us too. We’ve also used kerosene but everybody I talk to recommends NOT using gasoline or alcohol.

"Gordon Wedman" wrote:

Well neither "BBQ starter fluid" or "liquid paraffin" are chemical names so
its difficult to give a definitive answer. Different manufacturers might
use somewhat different distillates. If you could get a "Material Safety
Data Sheet, MSDS" from the manufacturer/supplier this might allow you to
figure out how close they are. You want to look at data for :
flash point
boiling range or boiling point
composition, possibly carbon number range,e.g.. C7-C14

From your description they sound pretty similar in properties, close enough
for burning in lamps. Basically you want to avoid using anything too
volatile/flammable like naphtha or something that's going to be too smoky,
the other end of the spectrum.

"Jeff Fisher" wrote in message
...
I noticed that BBQ starter fluid (Wal Mart brand) seems to be basically
the same as liquid paraffin. It looks the same in a clear glass, it has
far less scent that liquid paraffin (I was surprised at this),
approximately the same viscosity, it burns very similarly (when poured
on a rag), the smoke produced looks and smells the same and since I have
several large oil lamps onboard, and lamp oil costs about US$ 12/gal.
while starter fluid is US$8 /gal (maybe less) I ask:
Does anyone (chemically knowledgeable) know if "BBQ starter fluid" is a
valid substitute for "liquid paraffin". If not, does anyone know of a
less expensive substitute ?



grandma Rosalie

Jeff Fisher wrote in message ...

If not, does anyone know of a
less expensive substitute ?

Years ago we bought an oil lamp and it suggested using "Gulf Lite"
charcoal starter which worked real good,no smell and it didn't smoke
up the chimney much at all.