Optimum field for pressure lantern in the absence of Coleman fuel or white gas.

I came across an article on Amish fuel.

I then started to experiment:
I bought A1 jet fuel and Benzine, aka Petroleum ether.
I mixed the A1 jet fuel, (actually just a very clean grade of Kerosene), with Benzine in the ratio of 3 plus 1.

I am very satisfied with the result: No smell and no smoke!

Any comments, feedback on your experience?

I was also not happy with the purple residue in the starter cup, left by Methylated Spirits. It also does not catch fire quick enough!
I then experimented with different blends of different fuels.
The best was blend of 4 parts Methanol with one part Benzine, ( petroleum ether, consisting of mainly alkane carbon compounds).
It ignites quick and burns with high heat! Reduces waiting time and one uses far less fuel.

Anyone else worth similar experiences?

 

https://c8.alamy.com/comp/PCNMN6/ou...al-fuel-pump-in-ohio-amish-country-PCNMN6.jpg

Jacob

This is the kind of gas station pump that existed in Amish communities in the past. But these pumps selling white gas and kerosene didn't exist elsewhere in the U.S.. If they did I would be in heaven. lol They are not in Hong Kong,Australia or England either I'd guess. So I don't think forum members have the kind of access to cheap, bulk, kero and white gas as the Amish had and so may not be experimenting as much as people who do?

 

I believe white gad is also known as light Nahptha, having no aromatics, but only Aliphatic carbon chains.

 

@Hanzo
Paraffin pumps were widespread here
You would have pumps selling different grades of petrol and a pump/device for two stroke petrol/oil
There are still rare places where a garage/forecourt is still selling paraffin from a pump

 

I team up with some local collectors and buy "Shellite" (=naphtha = white gas = Coleman fuel), and kerosene (= paraffin) by the 200 litre drum. The only nearby place that had kerosene on pump has stopped stocking it.

Cheers

Tony

 

Tony,
Do you mix Naphta with kerosene, to make "Amish" fuel?
Now to find an additive to reduce carbon buildup and prevent rust, then you have Coleman ⛽!

 

You could consider denatured alcohol as fuel too.

 

@Jacob van Pareen

I do, but only use it for lamps that need it. And never more than 25%.

Tony

 

What is the exact Benzine you are using?...such as the brand or the specific product?
There are quite a few different definitions or mixture types of similar light aliphatic hydrocarbons with different cas. numbers that might be referred to as benzine(not benzene of course). The mixture having the cas no.64742-49-0 is just one of them. Some are blends of light, hydrotreated petroleum naphthas with n-hexane, etc.
Most would have pretty close boiling points and inflammabilities to Coleman Fuel/ white gas. A lot of them can essentially be used as substitutes for Coleman Fuel, provided they are conveniently available at reasonable prices in your location.
Amish fuel refers to the different blends that originated from the Amish community. The name has since proliferated Worldwide and can now be any customised mixtures/blends depending on the users' preferences. Usually, kerosene would be one of its constituents. The Amish mixes would come in handy on kerosene-fueled pressure lamps/stoves, especially when certain burning traits are desired. Among them, cleaner burn, less odour, longer mean time between service, easier or faster light-ups, to restore 'brightness' in the case of worn out jets, etc.
In the case of white gas lanterns/stoves, fuel economy is usually the reason for blending in the kero.
In general, clean methylated spirits or denatured alcohol shouldn't leave purplish residues or stains on the spirit cup or any adjacent areas around it after the burn. Perhaps it might be contaminated? Unless you are in a particularly cold environment, they should be easy enough to light up. Pure methanol lights up more easily than methylated spirits or ethanol due to its lower boiling and flash point. The boiling and flash points of those lighter fractions of many benzines would be even lower than that of methanol. Do you really require such a high inflammability?(such mixtures would 'mildly explode' with a 'whoomph' upon lighting in my location, which is pretty hot ).
But yes, the blend with benzine would certainly have a higher energy content. You can use a lower volume per cup for the light up.

 

Very good points raised, Myn!
Benzine in South Africa, is used in dry-cleaning of clothes and to dissolved oil/fat.
On the container, it clearly says "aliphatic". It is a blend of alkanes.

During COVID, SA ran out of Methylated Spirits and imported cheap purple stuff from China that left a purple residue.

I use Methanol to preheat!
Mixed with a little Benzine, it works fantastic!

 

I use the methanol(spirit) from local hardware stores. They are basically used as thinners for shellac and certain lacquers. It is much cheaper than the denatured alcohol by Kleanstrip/WM Barr, perhaps because it is manufactured locally and doesn't contain ethanol. It is clear and colourless, burns with a near invisible pale blue flame when a pool of it is ignited. No visible smoke.
Is the benzine you're using a highly volatile liquid? Say, similar to CF(Coleman Fuel)? Alkanes/aliphatics/paraffins can be have a pretty wide boiling ranges. CF or Crown campfuels are basically or mainly alkanes. Same goes for purified kerosene and some mineral spirits too. Only the boiling point ranges are different. Stoddard solvent is also aliphatic and has been used in dry cleaning as well.

 

One thing Petromax lantern users do is add a capful of carburetor cleaner to the tank. They seem to think that helps carbon buildup.

 

We "are singing the same hymn"; I use Methanol for preheating.

Our Benzine is very volatile! Hence I blend very little with Methanol for preheating. I use it clean in my 200A and 285.
For the Kerosene lanterns, I use the "Amish mix" , or blend.
For kerosene, I use aviation fuel; A1, being more refined and cleaner.
Remember, our Benzine is aliphatic, i.e. alkanes.

Best regards,
Jacob.