I have been using Jet-A (Aviation Kerosene/paraffin) on my two Petromax style lanterns, for almost three months now, and I can not be happier, the lanterns work clean, no soot, I even tried to clean any deposits on the generator and it came clean, I wonder how many people here is using it too?, what is the price per Gallon where you live?... is it cheaper for you than paraffin/Kerosene/k1? ( I get it at about six dollars a gallon at my local airport,)
Probably does have additives as A1-Jet fuel is the US equivalent to AVCAT and AVTUR in UK, or at least it was an approved alternative to those fuels in my aviation days. However, the addatives I believe were mainly for anti-icing, anti-bacterial and anti-fungal purposes. So if the lamps work fine on it, I would be happy to let them run on and perhaps post us an update after six months. Very interesting - Steve.
Back in my days in the RAAF (1980s), it was not unheard of to use AVTUR in kerosene heaters (wick type). Of course you weren't allowed to take the stuff off the base, but that never stopped some people doing it. I heard that it burned hotter than the regular kerosene that would have been used and used up the wick faster as well. I havn't found a source of it here in Denmark yet as I would like to try it in lamps and stoves.
As far as I can tell, Jet A is straight refined kerosene tightly controlled to prevent water and thus, ice crystals that would create a problem, if needed they add "Prist" for very low temperatures: “fuel system icing inhibitor” or antifreeze and it is also a biocidal/anti algae, antifungal, it is usually added during refueling, but can not be added after, due to it being heavier than fuel and it will sink to the tank bottom. so Jet-A straight from the pump will be per definition very pure kerosene/paraffin with almost no water. I will keep you posted.
The link below will open a PDF document that I posted on CCS a while ago giving all the military fuel designations (less oddities such as JP-7 [SR-71 Blackbird] and JP-9 [Cruise Missile)]). The manuals/instructions on some military stoves sometimes state the fuel type by it's NATO designator. Don't know if it's the same with military lamps, but it may prove useful to members: Link Regards, Terry
Jet-A is mostly kerosene. The extra stuff in it may be an issue indoors, I don't know, I'm not a chemist. They certainly make it is large amounts! Sometimes I think we get a little too worried about fine details. If I needed fuel for a pressure stove or lamp and Jet-A was all that was available, I wouldn't think twice about using it. Just my $0.02 Jet-A
I have used Jet A in my Hipolito and Coleman Kerosene models with good results. Finding the stuff is the real challenge.
Hi there I also use Jet A Fuel primarily in two Inverter Japanese Blown air heaters But also in my Bialaddins (300X & 310). My understanding is that it is just refined low sulphur water free 28 second kerosene . That being so it equates best to "Paraffin Extra" That at £0.80 per litre,,, You are best to stay legal paying the 5% Vat to the supplier (I do)
I live aboard a 58ft., all wood trawler and have 800 gallons of a 50/50 diesel & jet fuel in the tank. A close friend is a pilot flying a Lear jet and gets a few hundred gallons a month free from the company he works for. Cutting to the chase, I have a provision on my main fuel tank aboard to draw off any amount of the 50/50 blend I spoke of. My friend takes a few gallons of it for his Britelyt and it burns very well without any issues thus far (12 burns or so). It should be said that the marine diesel sold here in Norfolk, Virginia is the ultra low sulfur variety, sold for about $3.85 P/gallon. I do add about 10 gallons of inexpensive motor oil to my diesel tank to make up for the loss in lubricity in the jet fuel. My diesel engine is a Detroit 671 and will burn almost anything flammable. This is my first post and I think I am going to learn a lot about my new addiction, 'pressure lanterns'. Captain Mike De Long.
