I can't remember if I've posted before, but the cheapest way to buy kerosene suitable for lanterns and stoves is central heating kerosene (28 sec kero). It can be purchased in 20L plastic drums cheaper than buying Bartoline paraffin from petrol stations. You need to find your nearest central heating oil supplier and ask for an emergency 20 container of fuel. Of course, if you know someone who has a kero central heating system, you can ask if they'll sell you a few litres cheap.
28sec is c2 grade. No idea of actual products, but the standards indicate much lower smoke point (=more sooty) and more char for the heating oil. c1: https://cdn.crownoil.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2016/10/KEROSENE-PREMIUM-CLASS-C1-141215.pdf c2: https://cdn.crownoil.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2016/10/KEROSENE-REGULAR-CLASS-C2-141215.pdf Lower smoke point means more aromatics, which is problematic indoors.
Some members here only ever use C2, but I have enough issues with the super olfactory senses of my wife without trying it indoors
Interest will grow in paraffin heaters as an economic alternative in the coming winter. Remembering the 1960s and early 70s (before central heating) two things come to mind. #1 the slight smell of an airport - I quite like that. It's always there, however faint. #2 and rather worse than #1, even if the combustion is perfect with no CO, water output. Burning paraffin makes water vapour. If the burner is indoors you send up the humidity levels. This is not always good.
Exactly my situation Absolutely valid point! Still have to do the maths here to avoid false economy. Water is definitely a problem, CO2 might be and CO shouldn't. However, very wild guess that a 1£ish/L (10p/kWh) fuel competes well with the expected ~16p/kWh gas even with the necessary ventilation. Especially that the paraffin heaters can be used in a targeted manner, unlike central heating radiators.
All our local suppliers now sell a new improved central heating kero with fewer particulates and less soot that is 'kinder to your boiler and the environment' or so the glossy leaflets said. My take was that it's no longer as viable refining so many different versions, so they now make just the one that will work in the more applications - ie, with fewer impurities. Of course, this was spun as giving us a more environmental product but my guess it makes more profit in the long run. Not that I care as it smells less in my kerosene fueled devices.
One thing that you need to be aware of no matter what type you use, is how you store it, and does it comply with the requirements of your household insurance. Personally as I only have oil lamps, I use refined lamp oil intended for use in oil candles. Hugs Sammi x
Meantime, shopping for premium paraffin one of the most common brands here say their's is not for lamps: Premium Paraffin | Barrettine Products Any idea why? "Lamps" is a very broad spectrum... Following their advice would leave no other choice than 28 sec heating oil...
Outdoors I have been on 28 sec before, but that was also smaller volume/limited use. Just passed by a discounted offer on the "premium stuff" (about 1.8£/L, closer to "sane" levels) and was wondering if it smells less indoors. I'll try to arrange a side by side burn test, in two identical wick lamps.
I use that brand all the time in all manner of pressurised lanterns.. Erik's observation is interesting..
Thank you! Re Taxes: right, lamp oils are not confidered fuel (LoL, we surely don't need light...) and taxed 20%, vs the heating fuels 5%. Thanks Erik!
