Paraffin

[jasper1]

Hi All.....

Just wondered if paraffin is ok to use indoors, as I've read conflicting info on this......yes it is....no it isn't......etc etc

I have a couple of lanterns but don't fancy poisoning myself. Had carbon monoxide poisoning once.....not pleasant!!!!

[Plymtom]

I know paraffin heaters are OK with proper ventilation, which is the big issue these days as homes are better draught proofed, making anything which involves combustion dangerous, I'm sure you'd get the same problem with candles if you have too many on the go, paraffin lanterns probably are OK too, when you think about it before electricity we had gas lights and before that oil, if it's getting enough oxygen and it's not going to set anything else alight than it's probably fine, but definitely more dangerous, extreme caution is needed in modern homes with things that burn.

[Yorkshire Andy]

its ok but as above it needs to be burning properly with adequate ventilation...

First thing people do in the cold is block all the ventilation to a room to stop draughts .....


One of these is a MUST

http://www.lloydspharmacy.com/en/carbon ... tAodXAYAPw
(best price i found quickly searching)


A smoke detector wont go a miss either

Also keep the minimum amount of fuel in it..

Ideally stand it on a metal tray (this will contain any spillage / leak)

and have a decent dry powder or foam extinguisher handy IME minimum of 2kg powder or 6l Foam (AFFF)

[grenfell]

I seem to recall that paraffin produces a similar volume of water to its original volume of fuel when burnt, so it can cause condensation if used in a house. Explains why it was generally used to heat leaky greenhouses . Also it's not the nicest smelling fuel , well in my opinion .

[Briggs]

I've got about 700 litres of kerosene (heating oil) which I'm not using since switching to wood. I have some lamps and a Coleman stove that run off kerosene but what else is it good for? Static engines? Generators?

Any ideas?

[Plymtom]

I think space heaters that look like jet engines run on it, and I think I saw paraffin cookers on that wartime farm programme, which if you could get hold of one would be ideal.

[ForgeCorvus]

I've run an old Lister diesel (cement mixer in this case) on heating oil.
I know that some old (war time) tractors were dual-tanked, you'd start them on diesel and then switch over to paraffin

I thought that heating oil was closer to diesel then paraffin

[Yorkshire Andy]

think your right there was someone on traffic cops pulled over and he was running it on heating oil... HMRC didnt seem impressed

[Briggs]

I've run an old Lister diesel (cement mixer in this case) on heating oil.
I know that some old (war time) tractors were dual-tanked, you'd start them on diesel and then switch over to paraffin

I thought that heating oil was closer to diesel then paraffin

Heating oil is also called Kerosene 28. I've always assumed the 28 meant the octane level, as in unleaded 95. I have been on the look out for a Lister DK but they tend to go for silly money. I don't want to show it at country fairs, I want it to split logs!

[Oldarborman]

Just to re iterate with others yes it's ok indoors but keep ventilated, we still use paraffin lights and heaters when necessary.