Is there a shelf life for Paraffin like petrol or diesel? I would like to acquire a decent amount to store away, probably something like the Pre-pack stuff but worry it may go off? Also I have a place near me that will pump Paraffin from a sort of pump device into our own containers. I think it may be for greenhouse heaters and the like? Would this stuff be OK for my lamps? It is quite a bit cheaper than the pre bottled stuff. Thanks, Steve.
Paraffin keeps for a long time, but I cannot be specific about how long. Pre-pack paraffin is expensive and I reckon that the paraffin from the pump will be fine. I use central heating paraffin and it works fine in pressure lamps. Jeff.
I found some paraffin that I had had for over a decade. It seemed fine and burned fine as well. As with all paraffin, pre-pack or not, I'd always run it through a filter funnel. There are British Standards for paraffin so there shouldn't be any problem with the paraffin you buy from the pump.
If the paraffin has been kept in a sealed container i.e. not open to the air, it seems to last for decades. I've often received lamps still containing paraffin that clearly haven't been lit since the 60s or 70s (maybe even earlier). I've always just used the fuel after fettling and there's never been a problem. For the last 2-3 years, I've used little else other than paraffin obtained 'loose' from my favourite local allotment association. It's much cheaper than pre-pack paraffin which, in my opinion, is a total rip-off I've also used end-of-season barbeque lighting fluid from Wilkinsons as well as 28-second central heating oil. It's all the same stuff...
Many thanks all. My local hardware shop upped the price of the pre-pack stuff after I twice bought all the stock (3 or 4 bottles). Was about £6 then went to £8.50 per 4 litre bottle. Another local garden centre wanted £9.99 for a 4 litre bottle!! I will use the pumped stuff from now on knowing it will last a good while. Steve.
I am lucky that I have an old fashioned garage/repair place close to me that sells kerosene "on-draught". Take your own cans and it is £4.50 per gallon/4.5 litres. And, they specialise in VW campervan repairs! Steve.
