Posted By SteveC on 03/26/2009 4:14 PM
Posted By George Schreyer on 03/26/2009 3:38 PM
{snip...}[/i] In Britain, the stuff we call paraffin they call kerosene {snip...}[/i]
That's one of the nice things about the guild's web site...scroll down almost to the bottom of the page and you'll find two links "Lamp Term Dictionary" & "German Lamp Terms in English."
International Guild
of Lamp Researchers Ltd.
It took me until now when I am 64 years old to realize that what the Brits (and GI's) were calling Paraffin heaters back when I was 17 years old used kerosene. Since I lived on base I never had a reason to buy Paraffin so I never realized it was kerosene.
Jerry
Paraffin: UK term for kerosene. US "Paraffin Oil" Paraffin Oil in the United States should be labeled "Not for use in Flat Wick Oil Lamps or Lanterns," here's why: In Europe, and other parts of the world, what Americans call kerosene is called "paraffin." In the United States, however, "paraffin oil" is NOT an equivalent to kerosene, and is not designed for use in either oil lanterns or lamps with flat wicks. The major differences between the two fuels are the flash points and viscosity. The flashpoint of 99% or 100% Paraffin Oil (Nowells, Ultra-Pure, etc.) is well over 200 degrees Farenheit, whereas kerosene has a nominal flashpoint of 150 degrees. Because of this, paraffin will only burn at 1/2 the brightness of kerosene in lamps or lanterns with 5/8" or smaller wick when the flame is adjusted to the same size. Paraffin Oil will not burn properly at all in lamps or lanterns with wick larger than 5/8", and will have problematic symptoms. Since paraffin doesn't have the same viscosity as kerosene, it cannot be drawn to the flame as fast as it is consumed, this causes the sputtering and wick charring, which in turn makes it even more difficult for the paraffin to reach the flame. Once you contaminate a wick with "paraffin oil", it must be replaced, and the oil must be drained and replaced with a proper fuel, either kerosene, or standard lamp oil. You should only use paraffin oil in "Un-Candles," "Floating Wick Candles" or or small wick, low consumption oil lamps. If you must use paraffin oil in a large wick lamp, it may be mixed 1:10 with standard lamp oil so that it will burn satisfactorily. I hope this info helps. Best Regards, Woody Kirkman