It wasn't that many years ago where oil lamps and lamp oils were as essential to a home as bread and butter. Today oil lamps are still easily found proof that they remain practical and should we say just a little romantic too? But why not burn lamp oil rather than kerosene?
Back when oil lamps were a necessity you'd probably not have found anyone who would have classified them as romantic, but in modern times burning an oil lamp is equivalent to burning candles adding tranquility to that pleasant quiet setting. And they are much safer with the flame nicely protected behind a chimney.
As an added bonus that dancing and flickering flame with the mysterious shadows it illuminates the room with add the perfect romantic touch. Now don't ruin that romantic ambiance but using poor lamp oil.
Back in the day's kerosene or coil oil was burned in the lamps. Today lamp oil is a better choice because it produces less smoke and soot. It's still a petroleum based product just a little more refined. It is also not as toxic as kerosene or coil oil was as many of the pollutants have been removed.
Lamp oil also gives you lots of wonderful choices to help set the mood. From wonderful fragrances like rose, lilac, lemon, or even the forest to wonderful oil colors such as red, blue, green, and yellow. And if you are going to be using your lamp outside buy citronella scented oil. It will have those mosquitoes heading out real quick and leave the evening for you to enjoy!
You can also buy ultra clean and ultra pure oil at many camping stores, supermarkets, and online. Oil lamps are an excellent choice for emergency lighting as lamp oil is easy to store safely and you don't need that much as it burns slow and lasts quite awhile. It does however need to be stored at room temperature as frozen oil when defrosting can pose a risk for exploding.
You can still burn kerosene if you like. It will work fine in all the modern lamps. Just realize that it stinks to be quite frank. The odor is quite unpleasant to most and it certainly isn't going to enhance any romance. It also smokes a lot more.
Lamp oil can smoke too but if you keep your wick trimmed properly you'll reduce the amount of smoke and soot. Before you use your wick the first time you need to trim the wick corners on an angle so that the center is about 1/8" taller than the corners. It's important to get it even so the flame is centered. A perfect flame burns right up the middle of the chimney.
When you light the wick if it begins to smoke adjust it by turning the wick back just slightly until it stops smoking. Never, ever turn the wick so that it's below the top of the burner when it's lit as the flame in the bowl of oil is likely to result in an explosion.
To fill the lamp bowl with oil just unscrew the burner and remove it from the lamp. Then fill the bowl to the ¾ mark. Never any fuller. Put the burner back on. Make sure it is snug, adjust your wick so it's just showing out the top of the burner, and it's ready to light. If it's a new wick that hasn't been lit before than let it soak for 30 minutes prior to lighting.
Whether you want your oil lamps for emergency lighting, relaxation, or for a little bit of romance, burn lamp oil rather than kerosene. With so many choices you can add a little fun and fragrance to any room!
