OT: (Again) Lamp Wicks

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I know this is wrong forum, but I keep forgeting to ask. My oil lamp instructions indicate that the wick should not extend more than 1/8" above the burner plate, or it will not burn efficiently.

My question: Is it 1/8" above the flat part of the lamp base, or, is it 1/8" above the two quarter round pieces of metal through which the wick feeds? If it is the latter, then the wick is actually about 1/2 - 3/4" above the flat portion of the lamp base.

Bob - Thanking everyone in advance.

-- Bob (bob@bob.com), December 27, 1999

Answers

And since the subject of wicks has been brought up, how long do 6" wicks last? And where do I find replacement wicks?

-- gardiner (gardiner@vvm.com), December 27, 1999.

Lamp Wicks. Okay.

Wicks should extend no more than 1/8" above the FLAT part of the base. make sure that you take the time to "trim" off the corners of the top of the wick so that it can burn better. TYhe easiest way to make sure you have the right hieght for the wick is to light the lamp, close it, and then TURN DOWN the lamp a bit. As it warms up, it will burn higher. Look at the flame. If it is giving off a lot of smoke, it is too high! Remember, fuel lamps are about as bright as a 25 watt lightbulb. (Maybe less), so don't be surprised.

As for replacement wicks, I found mine at places like Eagle Hardware back in the lighting department. ANyplace that sells decorative oil lamps will have wicks. A six inch wick lasts, well, just about forever. Every fourth or fifth use, you need to trim the wick down a LITTLE bit, so as to make a good flame.

Hope that helps.

DavePrime

-- DavePrime (the_tv_guy@hotmail.com), December 27, 1999.


Is it true that you can burn vegetable oil in an oil lamp instead of the oil sold with oil lamps? Lamp oil cost $10/gallon at Eagle Hardware, but vegetable oil was $5/gallon at the grocery store. I bought two gallons of vegetable oil figuring I could either eat it or burn it. And wicks at Eagle Hardware came in packages of three for about 79 cents.

-- Bruce (burning@the midnight.oil), December 27, 1999.

And if you're burning kerosene, be sure and grab some mehtyl alcholol, akak methanol, to your kero, to clean up the combustion and do away with the smudge factor.

-- Lampwick (paradise@island.com), December 27, 1999.

Lampwick,

Can you burn kerosine in an oil lamp? What about vegetable oil?

-- Bruce (burning@the midnight.oil), December 27, 1999.



And here's another one... if there are no more "real" wicks to be bought anywhere, what can a home-made one be made from? Any sort of canvas or other fairly heavy material?

-- David (dzog@plasticine.com), December 27, 1999.

HI kerosene is fine to burn in oil lamps. I think lamp oil is kerosene. I have burned charcoal lighter fluid in oil lamps also. H ave also burned diesel fuel.

-- lenny (chmielecki@worldnet.att.net), December 28, 1999.

I have read someplace that you can sew, or attach a length of material, I suppose any kind, but material similiar to that of the wick and extend the life of the wick. I have several lamps and lanterns, another hint. Soak you wick in the oil you are to burn for at least twenty four hours before trying to use. Keep the wick clean and trimmed, never turn it too high it will smoke up the globe. by taking you lamp or lantern an using it a while now, you can get use to it and learn how to adjust the wick for proper setting. I as a child lived two years under these conditions. Never did I ever once thik that I would again have to do it. However it does bring back fond memories of child hood days long gone, of my loving mother and father, oh God how I pray for us all.

-- Notforlong (Fsur439@aol.com), December 28, 1999.

I just tried (last month) using OLIVE OIL in the lamp. Nice glow, but wick burns fast. I'll use it for outdoors if I need it.

-- RJ (LtPita@aol.com), December 28, 1999.

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