Mineral spirits, or paint thinner containing 100% mineral spirits from
the paint department of your local hardware store is a low cost fuel
for kerosene lamps and stoves. It is cleaner than kerosene, though
likely not quite as odor free as good lamp oil. Usually about
$3/gallon around here.

I would suggest buying a cheap kerosene lamp and testing any "new"
fuel before using it aboard.

(Sam) wrote in message . com...
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.

It also seemed to have a whiter, brighter flame.

I just bought 2.5 gallons of non-smoking unscented lamp oil at West
Marine for $20.

HTH

I hate to tell you this, but you didn't, unless you bought way below market
price. you probably bought the middle grade stuff.

kerosene was a buck eighty the last time I bought 2.5 gallons (last October),
while mostly kinda smokeless lamp stuff was about six bux a gallon, and the
good stuff (interior lamp stuff for several hours at a time use) was about $12
a gallon, if you bought a gallon at a time ($3.99 for 20 oz at your local,
friendly candle store selling your wife items "mood enhancement").

I use (successfully, if you count taking care to lower the burner and to trim
the wick, both to reduce sooting of the glass) kero for an outdoor anchor light
(makes the boat distinctive, and is legal under the colregs) and the high
priced stuff for cabin lamps. The high priced stuff has no smell or soot.

I just bought 2.5 gallons of non-smoking unscented lamp oil at West
Marine for $20.

HTH



MLapla4120 wrote:

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.



--
s/v Mutiny
Rhodes Bounty II
lying Oriental, NC
WDB5619

Ahoy The

IF the walk/drive to airport doesn't ruin cost/benefit try JET FUEL.
Yes I said "jet fuel". Been told it's just high-grade kerosene. (By a
cruising sailor who found only problem was their nozzle was about 2-3
inches in diameter.=take your own funnel. lol) Don't remember the
price, but WAY below a dollar a gallon.

Heard all this just about the time I moved ashore, so can not
personally
vouch for validity of info. But sounds logical to me.

Try Wal-mart or a crafts store like Garden Ridge Pottery. They all should
have liquid parrafin and lamp oil.

--


Keith
__
Why are a wise man and a wise guy opposites?
"Phil" wrote in message
r.com...
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.

The cheapest best source will always depend on your particular location. I
am able to get high grade K-1 kerosene from my local fuel supplier for
about $1.85 per gal. I bring my own container and it is pumped from a gas
pump. You could find a similar dealer in your own area, these guys
typically provide lubricants for truck fleets and jobsite fueling
services.

DO NOT use jet fuel. It may be high grade kerosene, but it also has dye
and other attitives. It smokes up a lamp worse than diesel fuel or
stoddard solvent.

K-1 is the designator for the highest grade of kerosene. You can often buy
kerosene designated as K-1 in the solvents section of the hardware store.
My experience with this hardware store kerosene is that it is of lesser
quality than the kerosene that I get from the pump. Charcoal lighter fluid
and paint thinner are suitable substitutes for lamp oil, I have used them
many times in a pinch.

Everytime you buy lamp oil, test the quality of the batch. Use an old
cheapie lantern and look for smoke and sooting. That is another reason I
like to buy 10 gallons at a time from the pump. One test and I know it is
all the same. Also note that different lamps are more particular. I burn
Aladdin mantel lamps and any kerosene contamination will soot up the
mantel and stink like hell when the lamp is extinguished. Your own
particular needs will vary depending on equipment.

If you are paying more thatn $2.20/ gal., you are paying tooo much . Shop
around a little.

David
S/V Nausicaa

I have used K-1 from a pump (in my anchor lamp) and find it soots up terrible
unless I trim the wick carefully AND turn the wick way down low. Even then it
soots up, but not really, really, really bad as before.

Parafin lamp oil, on the other hand, I find burns cleanly, brightly and without
odor. Don't care in my anchor light, but do most definitely care in my cabin
lamps.

The cheapest best source will always depend on your particular location. I
am able to get high grade K-1 kerosene from my local fuel supplier for
about $1.85 per gal. I bring my own container and it is pumped from a gas
pump. You could find a similar dealer in your own area, these guys
typically provide lubricants for truck fleets and jobsite fueling
services.

DO NOT use jet fuel. It may be high grade kerosene, but it also has dye
and other attitives. It smokes up a lamp worse than diesel fuel or
stoddard solvent.

K-1 is the designator for the highest grade of kerosene. You can often buy
kerosene designated as K-1 in the solvents section of the hardware store.
My experience with this hardware store kerosene is that it is of lesser
quality than the kerosene that I get from the pump. Charcoal lighter fluid
and paint thinner are suitable substitutes for lamp oil, I have used them
many times in a pinch.

Everytime you buy lamp oil, test the quality of the batch. Use an old
cheapie lantern and look for smoke and sooting. That is another reason I
like to buy 10 gallons at a time from the pump. One test and I know it is
all the same. Also note that different lamps are more particular. I burn
Aladdin mantel lamps and any kerosene contamination will soot up the
mantel and stink like hell when the lamp is extinguished. Your own
particular needs will vary depending on equipment.

If you are paying more thatn $2.20/ gal., you are paying tooo much . Shop
around a little.

David
S/V Nausicaa

You can buy a product called KLEAN-HEAT at most Home Depot or Lowes
stores look in the Kerosene Heater section. A gallon jug costs around
5 dollars. It burns very clean and does not soot up the glass globe
on a kerosene lantern and it is easy to locate in those stores. It a
kerosene alternative.

Marty
www.knotstuff.com

http://www.angelfire.com/ak/skateworld/dietzlanterns

Why not use 12 volt lights? No fuel to carry around. No smell. No fire hazard.
1/2 - 1 amp hour/light.
A oil lamp is nice for a romantic setting, but for quality of light,
convienence. I'll go with 12 volt. I'm talking about use for full time
cruising.
Electric use for interior lighting, is a very small amount, compared to usage
for refrigeration.
Just the way I do it, cruising full time.