Greetings All, Was wondering. I'm able to replace using kerosene as the fuel, in my vintage kerosene pressure stoves, with odorless mineral spirits. Can I do the same in my recently found and currently under restoration Tilley R55? I'm concerned with the odor that kerosene gives off and would rather carry just one type of fuel when traveling abroad. Thanks! Steve Provost (Stovost)
I would use nothing but kerosene (paraffin) in a Tilley. They are not designed for other fuels. Anything volatile like Coleman fuel would be dangerous if your in the pump NRV failed. I've no idea what odourless mineral spirits is... Tony
... Ahh, Wikipedia tells me it is mineral turpentine, further refined to get rid of the smell. I wouldn't use it. Tony
My mate tried odorless kerosene in a Tilley lantern . We fitted a brand new gennie and after about 10 hrs use no go .On inspection it had swelled the end of gennie in the burner tube .The gennie was no good and we had to cut the burner tube off. We cut open the gennie to find lots of carbon build up in such a short time .Waste of a good gennie and costly to .So he went back to normal kero again . Bob .
Well, it appears that Kerosene (Paraffin) it is, then! Certainly wouldn't want to risk damaging this beautiful old piece of equipment! That's why I asked the question! Thanks to all who responded! Your help is greatly appreciated! Stovost
They will run on turpentine and the substitute "white spirit", but I'd question why you would want to other than in an emergency... It smells far worse than premium paraffin, Tilleys are more prone to pulsing and the jury is out as to whether vapourisers clog up faster. I tried it as an experiment, but I am very much of the opinion that wherever possible lamps should be run on the fuel intended. I use premium paraffin in all paraffin lamps and Aspen 4 in Coleman fuel/petrol lamps. Please do not confuse white spirit with white gas or Coleman fuel!!
Thanks Gneiss. I've never burned the mineral spirits indoors, but I do know what kerosene smells like. I'm trying to not have to carry two different fuels when traveling. I'm in the U.S., so the word "paraffin" is uncommon. Have never purchased kerosene either. Where does one go for the stuff? If I asked for Premium Paraffin, would people around here look at me like I've got two heads? I won't use white gas, or Coleman fuel, I promise!
Kerosene = paraffin = JetA1 . You should be able to buy good quality kerosene easily in the US. Some fuel outlets may have it on the pump. If you get the chance but Jet A1 because it is high grade kerosene. Tony
I use lamp oil which is just Jet A1 kero, have used the Kero called low odour it works ok too. Now just don't leave the blue coloured stuff in as it tends to go off and gunk up. It's ok if nothing else is available but don't leave any in it, a run with jetA1 after to clean out. Cheers Rob
