Esso Blue

I'll keep a story as it should be and not cut it short:

So a friend of mine installs domestic heating tanks for a living and went to a little old Cottage last week to take out an old tank and install a new one. As it turned out, the tank being replaced was indeed itself a newer one fitted in the early 90s (or so the now householder thought). The old tank from that time was laying redundant, covered in foliage at the end of the garden and the householder asked for a further quote to 'drain and remove' said tank.

When my mate came to drain this tank for removal, he found it near half full of a clear, blue fuel that had no bug or sediment apparent. This - presumably - we think is Esso Blue and we now have a near full 50 gallon barrel of it. I have not tested it in any lanterns yet, but it does appear in very good condition for it's age. We have used some to light a bonfire at the weekend and it appears good, no water or bug as I say.

So when was Esso Blue discontinued and how old is it likely to be??

 

What's blue and got four arses?

But to address the questions you pose; I've no idea.

Edit: According to this...
20th Century Ads: "Boom Boom Boom Boom!" - Joe The Esso Blue Dealer
...sometime in the '70s. I'd guess that would be about right.

Whatever the colour, it was all the same stuff. After it had been pumped out of the ship and loaded into each company's tanker, the appropriate colour dye was added to make it blue for Esso, pink for Aladdin etc., etc...

 

Blue and four arses?? Hmmm, Tory front bench?? Dunno...

Esso Blue - yes I realise it's just coloured paraffin, but it still appears to have much folklore, romanticism and outright nostalgia attached to it (or so it seems)

So, anybody want to buy some Blue?? Only 12.97 a litre

 

Bum, bum, bum, bum, Esso Blue...

OK, then - what's multicoloured and got 621* arses?

* approximately

 

Ask a silly question, sigh...doh:

 

I have successfully used very old Esso Blue in my stoves.

 

Was Esso Blue or any other paraffin typically stored in large quantities at little cottages in the UK? It is possible, of course, but mostly it was used in wick fed heaters. At one time, it was delivered weekly by a roundsman - and latterly source from a hardware shop, sometimes with a gravity, coin-operated dispenser on the forecourt.

But I wasn't aware that large storage tanks fed, for example, boilers with paraffin. I appreciate that oil (28 second kerosene) and Esso Blue paraffin are similar - but as far as I am aware, they were commercially distinct.

 

For domestic use the Esso Blue, or Aladdin Pink was delivered to the home where a five gallon container would be re-filled by the 'Paraffin Man'.
The home owner would then fill his one-gallon container with spout when needed.

I have no idea what happened in the commercial sector where large quantities might be used.

 

Perhaps what we have isn't Esso Blue, but it's certainly Blue.. ..

 

An excellent score!
In my opinion, so long as it's good paraffin that's the main thing.

 

Since August 2002, all EU countries have had to add yellow dye to heating fuel. So the fuel in the old tank is at least 16 years old. Should still run fine though. I've used 30+ year old paraffin (kerosene) with no issues.

 

Really? I have my eye on some 28 sec in the heating oil tank at my daughter's house. (Could I siphon some of that - just for a test you understand)
It looks crystal clear to me. I could be wrong. I will check it next time.

Just a thought can it be the thicker stuff closer to diesel which is dyed yellow? Road diesel is pretty much yellow anyway not counting the red stuff in UK!

 

Hi folks

My 28 sec is yellow in colour. Coincidentally the paraffin I purchase from my local hardware store is the same colour however it still smells like paraffin unlike my 28 sec which smells like heating oil. No discernible difference when used in pressure lamps and stoves.

Regards Jeremy

 

In the UK, 99% of domestic oil-fired heating systems run on 28 sec yellow kerosene/paraffin. My supplier assures me that the only difference is that heating oil, being designed for use in a sealed system, hasn't been treated for odour reduction. He says that any kerosene sold 'on pump' in the UK will be heating oil. It's dyed yellow as it is duty free and only carries 5% VAT.

A tiny proportion of domestic heating systems in the UK run on 32 sec red diesel.

 

@Trojandog

So when I purchase paraffin from the hardware store pump I am actually buying heating oil that has been odour treated, it all makes sense now.

Regards Jeremy

 

At our local oil suppliers, the Kerosene pump is the same pump heating oil comes from

 

So I managed to bring a couple of gallons home today and here it is - I promise it's not anti-freeze either ! Smells lovely too, much better than the neat kerosene I normally use. Will try some tonight in a Guardsman

 

That looks like Esso Blue to me!

 

Looks more like the Blue Curacao liquor to me! Cheers!

Best regards,

Wim

 

No, you are buying heating oil that hasn't been odour treated.

 

It may just be a lighting effect, but that blue paraffin looks far too dark for Esso Blue.

 

This man would know

 

@shagratork The picture was taken in my shed, with a fairly powerful LED head torch shining directly into the jug. I don't doubt what you say though, as I don't remember Esso Blue (except the coin machines in service stations up to about early 80s)

 

Wow, that is seriously blue!

The cloudiness is just the container, right? Looks cloudy above the kero as well.

 

@Marc yes, the container is not totally clear.

 

@Trojandog

Now I am totally confused. The "paraffin" I am purchasing from the local hardware store doesn't smell any way near as strong or unpleasant as the heating oil I have delivered to my house. So is the smell put into the heating oil.

Regards Jeremy

 

Sure looks like Esso Blue to me!

 

Me, too...

 

@David Shouksmith I'll give it a go later....-#

 

What, drinking it with a straw and brolly in the glass ??