Fuel for Coal Oil Lanterns

[Delmonico]

I while back, don't remember when someone suggested using charcoal lighter fluid in lanterns.  Well I was out of coal oil (kerosene) so I tried it at Rock Creek Station this year.  Well no lantern heading off into orbit, could not get the chimney to smoke up at all so not only could I turn them up more, but the light was whiter.  Ran them 3-4 hours both nights, they were no hotter than with coal oil, plus I didn't need a funnel to fill them.


The first picture is one in 2006 with coal oil, the second is with the charcoal liter fluid.  Even though they sky has some light left in the second one, you can see it's making better light.





I thought I would pass this on, I think I am going to change for good, easier to get, and it's in a pretty leak-proof contaner.

[Silver Creek Slim]

Interesting. I might have to try it.

Slim

[Goatlips]

Eeeek Eeeek Delmonico, you mustn't ever do that,  lanterns were made for coal oil alone and not charcoal lighter or kerosene either.  Just like you can't use 4F for anything but priming powder or you'll blow your fingers off, or you gotta scrub your black powder guns as soon as you get home, and you have to wear asbestos underwear when you melt lead, et cetera, et cetera... 

Seriously, thanks for the tip, I'll be using it for my next cookout.

Goatlips

[Ol Gabe]

Del said "...while back, don't remember when someone suggested using charcoal lighter fluid in lanterns.  Well I was out of coal oil (kerosene) so I tried it at Rock Creek Station this year...thought I would pass this on, I think I am going to change for good, easier to get, and it's in a pretty leak-proof contaner."
Well, Pard, I think I'm guilty of sharing that suggestion a few years back when you brought the topic up originaly. Can't say for sure I'm THE ONE, but I did respond in kind at the time, and 'YES' charcoal lighter fluid does burn clean in almost all lanterns designed for coal oil, kerosene or any other fluids.
Now, the caveat, you must try this first at home in a well-ventilated area, as in outside, because some lanterns are not compatible with charcoal fluids, however, if they are, they burn clean and last forever!
Best regards and good lighting!
'Ol Gabe, carrying a lantern and looking for an honest man...

[Dusty Tagalon]

I use citronella oil in mine.

Dusty

[Delmonico]

And Gabe, I think that was on TFS before the big crash.

I use citronella oil in mine.

Dusty

How does that do for light compared to coal oil, I know is 'spossed to repel skeeters, but I don't really like the smell of it myself.

[Dusty Tagalon]

In comparison with coal oil, slightly less the coal oil, I don't find the smell overpowering.

Dusty

[Delmonico]

I was trying to get as much light as possible with out having to drag the Coleman along.  Late or early in the year if you don't get the cook camp cleaned up real fast your in the dark right after suffer, can be a PIA if you have a lot of dishes to do and need to get something prepped for the next day, the eyes don't work quite as good as they did 30 years ago.

[Texas Lawdog]

Del, Are you saying that you're gettin older?  Hey, There's a bunch of us that gettin older.

[Dr. Bob]

TLD,

Those that aren't gettin any older have a big problem!

[Delmonico]

Del, Are you saying that you're gettin older?  Hey, There's a bunch of us that gettin older.

TLD,

Those that aren't gettin any older have a big problem!

My big problem is going from dark to light for the most part, give me a bit of moon on a clear night and a back road I could drive with out lights, no problem, still do at times in pastures.  But going from dark to light I have trouble with glare for a bit.  So it's best I have as much light in the kitchen as possible, a couple more lanterns with this new-fangled coal oil and I might not have to rebuild the Coleman lantern.

[Books OToole]

I tried the fuel expediant last night in a lantern that I picked up at a thrift store for $ 3.50.

It worked great!

Books

[pony express]

Alert! Alert! there's a new guy on board digging up old threads to resurrect!

Wish I had thought of this a couple of years ago when we had the big ice storm here.Stores were completely sold out of batteries, propane bottles, coleman fuel, kerosene, lamp oil, I think even the citronella was even gone. Only a few candles left on the shelves when the power in the store finally went down. I bet there was still some charcoal lighter fluid left, but I didn't think of using it.

[GunClick Rick]

Seems like the difference between grade A deisel and a lower grade,Isn't a lighter just a small coal lamp sorta like?Then there is gold tequila and white tequilla,one is just filtered more right?By golly good idee..Delmonico,i sure would like ta ride a river ya,your a pretty smart feller..I read about a feller once that hearded bull frogs and sold them to the resteraunt called Delmonicos  I think his name was Trampas

[Steel Horse Bailey]

Del, Are you saying that you're gettin older?  Hey, There's a bunch of us that gettin older.

TLD,

Those that aren't gettin any older have a big problem!

I resemble that those remarks.  I'm only 21 years old, Dr. Bob.  No more birthdays for me.  And no problems.   






















Did I mention, good Doctor, that along with those 21 years and no B'days, that I have over 37 years experience?

[Dr. Bob]

SHB,

I knew that??  I did! 

[Steel Horse Bailey]

SHB,

I knew that??  I did! 

I thought so.