Diesel has a higher viscosity than kerosene which means it's wicking ability (capillary motion) is slower for the fuel to travel up the wick. This is why the flame takes a little longer to settle into that "moon shape" when adjusting the wick down and up again. The dead flame lantern introduces more oxygen around the flame allowing the diesel to burn more efficiently than it does in the oil candle. I use diesel in my Aladdin lamp without any smell at all. They say it clogs up the wick over time but so far it's been working out for me and is a lot cheaper to run.
I am absolutely loving the lights, I am actually kind of thankful for the storms forcing me to break out these lamps. And I have started looking for more lighting options, I think I may need to go to antique stores for an Aladdin, those seem to be a bit pricey brand new. But I definitely do want at least 1 Aladdin.
@@Tibbs_Farm Yes, replacement parts like wicks and mantles are quite expensive too. On further investigation it seems like the diesel does in fact clog up the wick and flame spreader to a certain extent. Some people suggested adding isopropyl alcohol to counter the clogging problem so I might look into that because there is no way I'm paying $25-00 per liter of kero in NZ, if you can believe that! Another viable option might be to look for an antique Dietz hurricane lantern, the early hot-blast type. They are known for burning more efficiently due to the gas recirculating effect of their design. th-cam.com/video/tURHTuKHBZs/w-d-xo.htmlsi=gTJrQokZ9-px3M1y I'm pretty sure diesel would work great in these.
@lombro1262 I have had leaking issues with some of the cold blast in the past, although it was probably just a brand issue (it was a knock-off). I may have to experiment with isopropyl. Thanks for the info
@@lombro1262also you are thinking of cold blast Dietz lanterns, the hot blast ones are open to the air and dont circulate as good leading to dimmer light
Even without any storms knocking out the power, I still like to turn off my lights and light up a few lamps in my den just for the nice glow, gotta try hard not to fall asleep though, unless I wanna become barbecued
Back in the 2000s, diesel went from a maximum sulphur content of 500ppm to 15ppm. I wonder if the "terrible smell" stories date from the era of diesel fuel when it contained 33x as much sulphur as today... good video. Thanks. I think I'll stock a few gallons of diesel as a cost saving measure, especially for my outdoor lanterns.
Yes, it does seem that the wick clogs faster with the diesel than with k1. Recently I noticed this is sped up with the fuel being cold. [20°F Diesel will clog a wick much faster than 70°F] possibly because below 30°F Diesel does have the possibility of starting to gel meaning the parafin waxes start to less soluble in the fuel and thus it starts to clump/'solidify'
90% on road diesel / 10% clean K1. Trust me on this one. I have been using this ratio for the past 5 years in a mostly off grid life style. That 10% is just enough to drastically slow up the wick carbon buildup. Off road diesel with red die seems to plug up the wick faster. On road is the key.
5 years of daily oil lamp and lantern use here. 90% on road diesel with 10% clean k1 is the mix I use. I have tried many oils and fuels looking for the cheapest and most reliable option as lamp oil is expensive compared to other options. Many will work in a pinch.
You can also add one ounce of 91% iso alchohol per gallon of diesel to stop any wick clogging tendancies. Ive been using the low sulphur diesel by itself and havnt had any wick issues. I always start with a new wick with the diesel
Diesel and kerosene are almost the same fuel. After kerosene, diesel is the next fuel on the separator at refineries. The diesel is a little heavier in viscosity but not much if you put some aviation fuel in your diesel car it will get you home with no problems. The main difference is Diesel is taxed at the pump and kerosene only has a sales tax.
Turns out 1 of my trucks actually has had a few tanks of JetA ran through it. I was letting a buddy borrow it and he was hard on money... he put a few tanks thru. It's a 6.5 detriot diesel, same engine as the humvee. And that is what the military uses in deployed locations. [It's cheaper to bring 1 type of fuel for everything than it is to bring numerous types of fuel]
Ever wonder what those red dashes are for on the wick? Modern Diesel is now low sulfur. It should stink less. I wonder if you can mix olive oil with the other fuels and it work? Lamp oil has a lower flash point that Diesel or Kerosene.
I figured the red dashes were more of a company "design" and not really much of a functional add. But I may be wrong. Yes, diesel is now ultra low sulfur [15 ppm sulfur content or less] Kerosene flash point ≈ 100°F - 149°F Diesel flash point ≈ 126 °F - 205°F Aladdin brand lamp oil has a flash point of 145°F Florasense brand lamp oil flash point 142°F
Your using paraffin oil not kerosene, paraffin is liquid wax and has a thicker viscosity than kerosene or diesel. Paraffin being thicker takes longer to move through the wick. The reason it works better below the defuser is the fuel is getting preheated hot enough to vaporize so you are burning the vapors not the liquid. Once you burn the liquid it runs very rich if turned up even a little causing that soot.
I have another video where I compare between this lamp oil, off-road diesel, and kerosene. That test is done in pixie lamps from temu, though, so it doesn't have the 'carburetor'. But thanks for the information
you should probably use palm oil or wax. Its so clean its actually already in a lot of foods. You can also mix it with fragrance oil and it smells like a candle. Also you dont have to worry too much about it catching fire. Even if it does ignite, it shouldnt burn hot enough to break the glass while diesel and kerosene probably will. I think palm oil and palm wax lamps burn at around 200 degrees F while diesel and kerosene can get up to 600 degrees. There is just no reason for a lamp to burn that hot. Knock over palm oil and wax it just makes a mess, knock over a diesel or kerosene lamp and serious fire risk.
I will look into those fuel types. But this type of lamp is designed for liquid fuels with a Flashpoint somewhere between 120-150°F [48-65°C] Both kerosene and diesel are in that range.
You are not completely wrong, I did make too many over generalizations. Maybe I need to run a test of the lamp oil [refined kerosene] vs kerosene vs diesel [type 2 kerosene] for a long period of time. Give the different Petroleum cuts time to start clogging the wick and watch for Performa degradation. Such as, • How often the wick needs to be cut. • How often the globe needs to be cleaned. • General fuel consumption • How often the wick needs to be adjusted. I have been using off-road in my lamps just about since I made this video and I love the usage. But, you do bring up valid points and gave me great ideas. Other than the complaints mentioned, I hope you enjoyed the video and possibly other videos of mine.
Diesel has a higher viscosity than kerosene which means it's wicking ability (capillary motion) is slower for the fuel to travel up the wick. This is why the flame takes a little longer to settle into that "moon shape" when adjusting the wick down and up again. The dead flame lantern introduces more oxygen around the flame allowing the diesel to burn more efficiently than it does in the oil candle. I use diesel in my Aladdin lamp without any smell at all. They say it clogs up the wick over time but so far it's been working out for me and is a lot cheaper to run.
I am absolutely loving the lights, I am actually kind of thankful for the storms forcing me to break out these lamps.
And I have started looking for more lighting options, I think I may need to go to antique stores for an Aladdin, those seem to be a bit pricey brand new. But I definitely do want at least 1 Aladdin.
@@Tibbs_Farm Yes, replacement parts like wicks and mantles are quite expensive too. On further investigation it seems like the diesel does in fact clog up the wick and flame spreader to a certain extent. Some people suggested adding isopropyl alcohol to counter the clogging problem so I might look into that because there is no way I'm paying $25-00 per liter of kero in NZ, if you can believe that!
Another viable option might be to look for an antique Dietz hurricane lantern, the early hot-blast type. They are known for burning more efficiently due to the gas recirculating effect of their design.
th-cam.com/video/tURHTuKHBZs/w-d-xo.htmlsi=gTJrQokZ9-px3M1y
I'm pretty sure diesel would work great in these.
@lombro1262 I have had leaking issues with some of the cold blast in the past, although it was probably just a brand issue (it was a knock-off).
I may have to experiment with isopropyl. Thanks for the info
@@Tibbs_Farm Try finding older kerosene lanterns, they get much brighter than the lamps do especially the cold blast ones
@@lombro1262also you are thinking of cold blast Dietz lanterns, the hot blast ones are open to the air and dont circulate as good leading to dimmer light
Even without any storms knocking out the power, I still like to turn off my lights and light up a few lamps in my den just for the nice glow, gotta try hard not to fall asleep though, unless I wanna become barbecued
Yeah, it is very peaceful to turn off the lights and fire up the lamps.
I have recently added a dozen pixie lamps to the collection
Try trimming the wicks in an arc shape. Just level it out and trim the corners for a nice, centred flame. 🕯
I have started playing with wick shape for different light patterns.
Very interesting. Thank you for sharing.
I am glad that you enjoyed it.
Trimming the wick half moon or just take the corners off makes the lamp burn cleaner brighter and more efficient.
Then, I may have to make a new video with side by side comparison of different trimming techniques.
Back in the 2000s, diesel went from a maximum sulphur content of 500ppm to 15ppm. I wonder if the "terrible smell" stories date from the era of diesel fuel when it contained 33x as much sulphur as today... good video. Thanks. I think I'll stock a few gallons of diesel as a cost saving measure, especially for my outdoor lanterns.
Off-road diesel is now also less-than 15ppm sulfur. The dye may clog up wicks faster, but I haven't noticed too much of a difference.
Kerosene now become difficult to get😮
When I was a young boy I remember there being Kero pumps beside gas stations... i haven't seen a kero pump in years.
Smell strong about diesel smoke?
Yes when it is smokey it does have a strong smell.
But when you have it adjusted so it isn't smokey, it is a VERY FAINT smell.
Heavies in diesel killed my glass wick in one batch. Better use jp1 or k1. Will never use diesel again
Yes, it does seem that the wick clogs faster with the diesel than with k1.
Recently I noticed this is sped up with the fuel being cold. [20°F Diesel will clog a wick much faster than 70°F] possibly because below 30°F Diesel does have the possibility of starting to gel meaning the parafin waxes start to less soluble in the fuel and thus it starts to clump/'solidify'
90% on road diesel / 10% clean K1. Trust me on this one. I have been using this ratio for the past 5 years in a mostly off grid life style. That 10% is just enough to drastically slow up the wick carbon buildup.
Off road diesel with red die seems to plug up the wick faster. On road is the key.
5 years of daily oil lamp and lantern use here.
90% on road diesel with 10% clean k1 is the mix I use.
I have tried many oils and fuels looking for the cheapest and most reliable option as lamp oil is expensive compared to other options. Many will work in a pinch.
Thanks for the info
You can
also add one ounce of 91% iso alchohol per gallon of diesel to stop any wick clogging tendancies.
Ive been using the low sulphur diesel by itself and havnt had any wick issues. I always start with a new wick with the diesel
Diesel does put out more BTUs than kerosene so the flame will be hotter.
You are right.
As long as there is adequate air flowing to the flame
Diesel and kerosene are almost the same fuel. After kerosene, diesel is the next fuel on the separator at refineries. The diesel is a little heavier in viscosity but not much if you put some aviation fuel in your diesel car it will get you home with no problems. The main difference is Diesel is taxed at the pump and kerosene only has a sales tax.
Turns out 1 of my trucks actually has had a few tanks of JetA ran through it.
I was letting a buddy borrow it and he was hard on money... he put a few tanks thru.
It's a 6.5 detriot diesel, same engine as the humvee. And that is what the military uses in deployed locations. [It's cheaper to bring 1 type of fuel for everything than it is to bring numerous types of fuel]
Ever wonder what those red dashes are for on the wick?
Modern Diesel is now low sulfur. It should stink less.
I wonder if you can mix olive oil with the other fuels and it work?
Lamp oil has a lower flash point that Diesel or Kerosene.
I figured the red dashes were more of a company "design" and not really much of a functional add. But I may be wrong.
Yes, diesel is now ultra low sulfur [15 ppm sulfur content or less]
Kerosene flash point ≈ 100°F - 149°F
Diesel flash point ≈ 126 °F - 205°F
Aladdin brand lamp oil has a flash point of 145°F
Florasense brand lamp oil flash point 142°F
The red dashes are usually copper or other metal wire to aid in warming the bottom of the wick when its burning to make it wick fuel easier
They expose the wick at the store for looks. If you run the wick to high it will burn dirty because it sends too much fuel and can not burn completely
Diesel in the oil lamps works by burning the fumes not the fuel same a kerosene but it uses more of the fuel ...
Your using paraffin oil not kerosene, paraffin is liquid wax and has a thicker viscosity than kerosene or diesel. Paraffin being thicker takes longer to move through the wick. The reason it works better below the defuser is the fuel is getting preheated hot enough to vaporize so you are burning the vapors not the liquid. Once you burn the liquid it runs very rich if turned up even a little causing that soot.
I have another video where I compare between this lamp oil, off-road diesel, and kerosene.
That test is done in pixie lamps from temu, though, so it doesn't have the 'carburetor'.
But thanks for the information
Not shocking at all when you compare MSDS sheets.
you should probably use palm oil or wax. Its so clean its actually already in a lot of foods. You can also mix it with fragrance oil and it smells like a candle. Also you dont have to worry too much about it catching fire. Even if it does ignite, it shouldnt burn hot enough to break the glass while diesel and kerosene probably will. I think palm oil and palm wax lamps burn at around 200 degrees F while diesel and kerosene can get up to 600 degrees. There is just no reason for a lamp to burn that hot. Knock over palm oil and wax it just makes a mess, knock over a diesel or kerosene lamp and serious fire risk.
I will look into those fuel types. But this type of lamp is designed for liquid fuels with a Flashpoint somewhere between 120-150°F [48-65°C]
Both kerosene and diesel are in that range.
If its a cold blast lantern it will extinguish itself if tipped over
No you don't want your wick above the flame bell😂,
Correct
Youre making waaaytoo much generalization ...parrafin, k1, and #2 diesel are not the same ....lamps wont burn worth a shit once wicks are gummed up
You are not completely wrong, I did make too many over generalizations.
Maybe I need to run a test of the lamp oil [refined kerosene] vs kerosene vs diesel [type 2 kerosene] for a long period of time. Give the different Petroleum cuts time to start clogging the wick and watch for Performa degradation. Such as,
• How often the wick needs to be cut.
• How often the globe needs to be cleaned.
• General fuel consumption
• How often the wick needs to be adjusted.
I have been using off-road in my lamps just about since I made this video and I love the usage. But, you do bring up valid points and gave me great ideas.
Other than the complaints mentioned, I hope you enjoyed the video and possibly other videos of mine.
.
Lamp oil is not kerosene it is paraffin
Then you might enjoy the other video I did. I do get lamp oil and k1 kerosene and compare them.