What Fuel do I use for my Lantern/Lamp? — The Source for Oil Lamps and Hurricane Lanterns (2024)

The simple solution is to consult the list of approved fuels below. However, for a more comprehensive understanding, it is important to consider three essential factors when determining the suitability of a fuel. If you have doubts about whether a fuel is appropriate for use, please refer to these three major criteria below.

The fuels approved for both indoor and outdoor use in Tubular Lanterns and Flat Wick Oil Lamps are as follows:

Indoor Use:

1.Lamplight Farms® Clear Medallion Brand Lamp Oil, (#60020, #60003 aka #6300, #60005 aka #6400, and #6700 Only)Flash Point: 145 Degrees Fahrenheit

2.W.M. Barr & Co.Klean-Heat®Kerosene Substitute(#GKKH99991, 128oz, sold by Home Depot SKU #391-171)Flash Point: 145 Degrees Fahrenheit (Do Not Purchase Klean-Strip 1-K "Kerosene")

3. GenuineAladdin®Brand Lamp Oil (#17552, 32 oz., and #17554, 128 oz.)Flash Point: 141 Degrees Fahrenheit

4. MVP Group InternationalFlorasense®Brand Lamp Oil (#MVP73200, 64oz. and #MVP73201, 32 oz., Sold by Wal-Mart )Flash Point: 142 Degrees Fahrenheit (Purchase only the clear unscented version of this fuel.)

Outdoor Use:

1. Non-Dyed (Clear) Kerosenewith a Flash Point Between 124 and 150 Degrees Fahrenheit

2. Coleman®BrandKeroseneFuel (#3000000270)Flash Point: 130 Degrees Fahrenheit

3. Crown® Citronella Torch and Lamp Fuel (#CTLP01, #CTLP02, #CTLP48) (OUTDOOR USE ONLY,cut 50:50 with kerosene to extend wick life.)Flash Point: 141 Degrees Fahrenheit

4. Tiki® Brand Citronella Torch Fuel (OUTDOOR USE ONLY,cut 50:50 with kerosene to extend wick life.)Flash Point: 145 Degrees Fahrenheit

3 Requirements for a Safe Fuel:

Flashpoint,

Viscosity,

Purity.

Lets go over each characteristic.

Flashpoint: The Temperature at which the fuel will give off enough vapors that they can be lit in air. This is a critical measurement, if the fuel you have has too low of a flashpoint, the fuel in the tank can heat up past the flashpoint and create enough vapor in the oil tank that will ignite from the flame. This will either cause a blow torch affect, and adjusting the wick will not fix the issue, or the flame could simply ignite the fuel in the tank and cause an explosion. This is why using the correct fuel is VERY IMPORTANT.

Dangerous Fuels Include: Gasoline, Coleman Fuel, White Gas, Paint Thinner, Mineral Sprits, Wood Alcohol, Naphtha, Turpentine, Benzene and any other fuel with a flash point under 124 degrees F.

If a lantern ever has a flame which you can not control, immediately place a bucket over the lantern to kill off the oxygen supply to the lantern. You can also bury the lantern in dirt or sand to kill airflow.

Note: Center Draft Oil Lamps often warm the oil more in usual operation and thus we suggest a slightly higher flashpoint fuel for these lamps if a lamp shows signs of acting as a runaway with any approved fuel listed above. Fuels around 145 to 175 Degrees F should suffice.

Viscosity:The Thickness of the liquid does matter as well, proper Kerosene and Lamp Oil need to be very thin for the cotton wick to carry the fuel to the flame fast enough. If the fuel is thicker, the cotton will struggle to do it's job, the top of the wick will dry out and the flame will then start burning the wick instead of the fuel. This will cause soot to come off of the flame, as well as more poisonous Carbon Monoxide.

Incorrect Fuels Include: Paraffin oil*, Olive Oil, Vegetable Oil, Canola Oil

Any food grade fuel, as well as fuels that contain Citronella. Citronella can be used in oil lanterns only outdoors, but must be mixed with Kerosene 50-50 to thin out the fuel.

Purity:The purity of a fuel matters as well. If a fuel is a pure oil, usually of Petroleum, and follows the other two rules above, it is a good fuel to use in Tubular Lanterns and Flat Wick Oil Lamps.

Fuels that are impure can include those with dyes to color the fuel, Fuels with added scents to make them smell different. This also includes Paraffin Fuel, and Citronella.

Paraffin in the U.K. is kerosene. Paraffin Oil in the UNITED STATES is Liquid Candle Wax , and is mis-labeledfor use in oil lamps and lanterns, when in fact it is only suited forCandle Oil Lampsthat use small diameter (under 1/4”,) round wick.99% or 100% Paraffin OilisNOTdesignedor suitablefor use intubular lanternsor oil lamps that use flat wick, or Kosmos or Matador type oil lamps.Further, itburns only 1/2 as bright of any of the approved fuels listedabove.Paraffin oil has a much higher viscosity and a flash pointof 200 degreesor higher, as compared to the flash point of 150 degrees forkerosene.These differences inhibit the necessary capillary action of the wick, and will cause Lamps and Lanterns with 3/8" or larger wick to burn improperly and erratic. This is because the Paraffin Wax and any other contaminates will clog the wick as the Cotton acts as a filter for the lantern. When the Wick Clogs, the flame will dry the top of the wick and burner the cotton instead. When that occurs, excess amounts of Carbon Monoxide are produced, which is a poisonous gas.

Once a wick is contaminated with paraffin oil, it must be replaced in order for the lantern to burner properly. If you must use paraffin oil, it may be mixed 1:10 to 2:10 (one to two parts paraffin,) to ten parts standard lamp oil or kerosene so that it will burn satisfactorily. Paraffin Oil is sold in the United States under the following trade names, which should be avoided except for use with lamps or lanterns with 1/4” Round of 3/8" flat or smaller wick:

Aura Oil
Crown Royal
Firelight Glass
Orvis Lamp Fuel
Northern Lights
Northwest
Pure Lite
Recochem Ultra-Clear Lamp Oil
Soft Light
Tropical Lights
Ultra-Pure
Weems & Plath

CAUTION:
Diesel and Aviation fuel should not be used in any wick lamp or lantern as the fumes fromfueladditives can beFATALif inhaled.

THE MINIMUM RECOMMENDED FLASH POINT FOR KEROSENE FOR USE IN OIL LAMPS AND LANTERNS IS 124 DEGREES FAHRENHEIT.