Am a real newbie to this "forum" stuff, having just stumbled upon it tonight. I tried to search the archives, but didn't see anything on this exact topic, so here goes.

Has anyone heard anything about using BHT as a preservative for kerosene? Am planning to store some extra kerosene, roughly about 10 times what I would normally use over a winter, when I just use it to heat the garage as needed. How long can one expect kerosene to last? Am thinking, in case I don't need to use it all this winter (I still have hope) I would like to be able to keep it for use later. Have heard that BHT can be used to preserve kerosene, and that the military uses it for this purpose. Have also heard of something called PRI-D for diesel fuel, but an concerned about fumes when using that in our indoor heater. Anyone else heard of using BHT, and if so, where is a good place to get some? Thanks!

EM in Omaha

-- Eyell Makedo (make_do@hotmail.com), July 20, 1999

Answers

Use the PRI-D or Stabil (kero version) for preservative. And, use ventilation precautions regardless of preservative (PRI-D, Stabil, or not) to protect yourself.

The ventilation precautions are for ALL flame deviceds, regardless of the fuel involved.

Chuck

-- Chuck, a night driver (rienzoo@en.com), July 20, 1999.

I'm not familiar with BHT, but I bought bottles of kerosene treatment at the end of winter at WalMart.

-- Sylvia (bluebirdms@aol.com), July 20, 1999.

Well, he's at it again.

Here some more pretty unorthodox informaton.

I only pass this along to try to convince some of the newbies that there is not just one way that things work and that not all the knowledge out there is completly accurate.

I recently helped clean out my deceased mothers house in preparation for sale. I found her kerosene lamp. She grew up without electricity and *always* kept at least one around. Well, I brought it home and it now graces my office desk. Just for grins I thought I'd light it up. Works like a champ.

Then I notice a little piece of tape over the fill cap. I put that piece of tape on there the last time I filled it up for her. That was ***22*** years ago.

You bet the kerosene is yellowed and gelled slightly. I compared it to some fresh stuff from my lamp. But it burns just fine, it makes light!

There are exceptions to "rules"

-Greybear

-- Got Matches?

-- Greybear (greybear@home.com), July 21, 1999.

Buy your kero in metal cans. Unopened it should last for many years...Tim

-- Tim Johnson (timca@webtv.net), July 23, 1999.