Aladdin Oil Lamps What fuel to use Aladdin Mantle Lamps
NEVER USE GASOLINE OR OTHER DANGEROUS FUELS IN YOUR ALADDIN OIL LAMP
The only fuel you should use in any Aladdin Mantle Lamp is Kerosene. Do not use any other fuel
in your Aladdin Mantle Lamp as this could be dangerous.
The quality, or grade, of Kerosene fuel will determine how often you will need to replace
your lamp’s wick. The higher the quality of Kerosene you use, the longer the wick will
last. So we recommend using "Genuine Aladdin Lamp Oil" available from any Aladdin dealer. This
is the clearest, cleanest Kerosene you can buy and consequently has hardly any odor.
The next highest grade of Kerosene is "K-1" and is available at most Hardware stores.
When purchasing this grade, be sure to check that it is water clear and virtually odorless.
This will insure the highest possible grade of K-1 Kerosene for use in your Aladdin Mantle Lamp.
It is not recommended that you use any Kerosene that has been dyed, is yellowish, or has a
strong odor. These lower grades of Kerosene contain impurities that will shorten the life of
your wick, smell bad, and possibly discolor the bowl of your lamp (especially a concern with
clear glass lamps).
We also do not recommend the use of "Ultra Pure" lamp oil. We have seen many problems with this
product including "puddling" (oil pooling in the burner) and mantles getting too hot too quickly.
Where can you get water-clear K-1 Kerosene?
Due to a recent government law on motor fuel tax, clear K-1 Kerosene has become harder to find.
Most often you will run across Red-dyed Kerosene. It is not recommended that you use this fuel. The dye will clog the wick, thus requiring you to replace it much more often. It may also cause the mantle to not burn as bright.
But you still can get water-clear K-1 Kerosene. Look in the Paint Department of your local hardware stores. Many manufactures will also put "odorless" and "water-clear" on their K-1 Kerosene containers.
For larger quantities, check your local gas stations (especially in rural areas). Some may have K-1 pumps filled with the clear, taxed, kerosene. While you'll have to pay a tax on this, it still may be cheaper in larger quantities than buying it in the store. Check with the attendant to make sure.
