Why Is Oil Used in Lamps?
Oil lamps shed light for thousands of years using animal fats and oils until the invention of electricity offered alternative lighting. Lamp oil is used in lamps because of its ability to keep a wick lit with relative safety. The best oil to use for a lamp should burn smoothly and emit little or no smoke. Different kinds of lamp oil exist, but any of them can be dangerous if used improperly or carelessly. Does this Spark an idea?
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Lamp Light
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Northeastern University defines combustible liquids as having a flash point of 100 degrees Fahrenheit. To keep an oil lamp lit requires a combustible liquid and a wick. The wick is a rope- or cotton-braided length with one end submerged in the lamp oil and the other lit once the wick absorbs some fuel. The wick feeds the flame. Different wicks are used for different kinds of oil lamps. The consistency of lamp oil keeps it from evaporating too quickly. The oil's absorption gives the lamp an even flame.
Kerosene
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Kerosene is a noncorrosive lubricant, despite the common belief that it is like gasoline, which is a corrosive. Kerosene is not ignited easily, and the firing point is higher than 104 degrees F. It is safer than gasoline, less volatile and more easily stored. Kerosene is stored safely in both metal and plastic. Ventilation is necessary, as kerosene contracts and expands with temperature change.
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Liquid Paraffin
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Liquid paraffin or mineral oil is another type of lamp oil that burns steadily and produces a reasonable light. It can also act as both a physical and a mechanical lubricant. Paraffin has many uses, including cooking, baking and greasing pans and as a food coating to shine and highlight food color. It is considered a safe fuel for oil lamps.
Citronella Oil
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Citronella oil is refined from citronella grasses. The scent of burning citronella candles or oil acts as a repellent to insects like flies, mosquitoes and other stinging pests. Used in oil lamps, citronella oil burns slowly and lets off a mild, pleasant aroma. Citronella oil is used in garden candles and torches for its double use as light fuel and repellent.
Olive Oil
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Olive oil is a non-petroleum way to light an oil lamp. This renewable fuel burns cleanly and emits no odor. A wick is required, but the olive oil burns steadily and without smoking. "Mother Earth News" suggests adding different herbs to the oil to infuse it with a pleasant scent as it burns. Let the herbs sit in the oil, strain and use. Olive oil lamps can also be used during outages when other fuel sources may not be available.
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References
- Photo Credit oil lamp image by Aleksandr Ugorenkov from Fotolia.com
