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 ?