Low on lamp oil

[ConnieSaenz]

Happy New Year to all....
I use an indoor oil lamp when we have a power failure.  I'm nearly out of lamp oil and my wick is not now long enough to reach the oil level.  I wonder if adding water into the base would work to raise the level of the oil since the oil floats on the water.

Anyone ever had any experience with this?

Thanks, Connie

[tlhdoc]

Connie welcome to PUT.  Do you have a PU?  As far as your question goes, it sounds like it would work, but I have never tried it.  Do you have a place that you can purchase more oil?  Hardware stores in my area carry lamp oil.

[ConnieSaenz]

Actually I've been a member for several years, just not a very 'active' member.  Our first PU was a '91 Coleman and we currently have an '01 Coleman Santa Fe.

Home Depot didn't have the oil - said it's a 'seasonal item', which I thought was strange, as power outages can come at any time of year!

I'm going to try OSH, Target, K-Mart, etc.  I've also seen it at places like Michael's (crafts) and Jo Ann's, but only in the one quart size.  I've bought the one-gallon size in the past.  I know it's available online, but pricey with shipping and all.

I like the 99% pure smokeless and odorless for use indoors.  I have about 3/4 of a gallon of kerosene, but don't think I'd want to use it indoors, even tho I know that's what most people used back in the days before electric lights.  I don't want to deal with the soot.  

Thanks for your response!

 ~ Connie

[tlhdoc]

Do you have an Mom and Pop type hardware stores?  They should have it.

[flyfisherman]

I've been getting my lamp oil at the Family or General Dollar stores. Usually I get a quart and that will last quite awhile for use in the kerosene lantern; and your right ... the regular kerosene has a strong odor to it, especially when you spill some of it on yourself!  Have also used some citrolella "tourch fuel", which is just some fancy kerosene spiked with citronella oil, which is supposed to help ward off some pesky flying insects like 'skeeters. General Dollar wants more for the torch fuel than the regular lamp oil and personally I don't think it's worth it, unless, of course, you happen to like a faint aroma of citronella around the camp site! I've also seen the citronella tourch fuel at Home Depot, only in gallons.




Fly