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Lamp Oil

Choosing the Right Lamp Oil: Standard, Paraffin, and Citronella

Though not used much today, lamp oil has been used for generations as a main source of light. It makes a great backup for emergencies. There are three types of lamp oil, and they serve different purposes. It's important not to confuse them and to know what type of oil your lamp or candle requires.

Standard Lamp Oil

Standard lamp oil is simply a highly purified, refined, and distilled version of kerosene, a flammable hydrocarbon derived from petroleum. The purification process results in a completely different product, producing a smokeless, odorless, and cleaner-burning oil that is specifically designed for use in indoor lamps. It comes in a variety of scents, including unscented.

The steps taken to purify lamp oil make the product more expensive than kerosene but often justify the cost by enabling safe indoor use.

Though standard lamp oil burns longer and cleaner than kerosene, its lower light output may render it less suitable for outdoor applications where brighter light is needed.

Lamp Oil brands approved for both indoor and outdoor use in Tubular Lanterns and Flat Wick Oil Lamps:

Brands include - Lamplight Farms® Clear Medallion Brand Lamp Oil, Klean-Heat® Kerosene Substitute, Genuine Aladdin® Brand Lamp Oil, Florasense® Brand Lamp Oil

Storage Conditions - Keep the lamp oil at or near room temperature. Do not store it in unheated garages or sheds where it could freeze, as frozen oil may defrost rapidly and pose a fire or explosion hazard. Protect from direct light.

Shelf Life - Standard Lamp oil will store for 2 years at 47°- 57°F.

Paraffin Lamp Oil

Paraffin lamp oil is liquid candle wax for use in liquid candles. It is for both indoor and outdoor use and is smokeless and odorless unless you purchase a product that is scented.

Though the name “paraffin oil” is used interchangeably with standard lamp oil in other countries and in many articles posted online, in the United States paraffin oil is simply liquid candle wax. Be careful not to confuse the two: 99% and 100% paraffin oil are not suitable for use in oil lamps or tubular lanterns that utilize flat wicks (such as Kosmos or Matador-type oil lamps); instead, they are intended exclusively for use in candle oil lamps.

Before purchasing lamp oil, always read the labels to make sure you know the type of lamp oil you are dealing with.

Paraffin Lamp Oil brands approved for indoor and outdoor use – for lamps or lanterns with 1/4-inch round or 1/2-inch (or smaller) flat wicks:

Brands include - Aura Oil, Ult, Firelight Glass, Orvis Lamp Fuel, Northern Lights, Northwest, Pure Lite, Recochem Ultra-Clear Lamp Oil, Soft Light, Tropical Lights, Ultra-Pure, Weems & Plath

Storage Conditions - Paraffin lamps and candle oil should be stored at room temperature. Protect from freezing – liquid paraffin solidifies at about 15°F, which can significantly decrease its shelf life once it thaws.

Shelf Life - Paraffin lamp oil will last indefinitely if stored in a sealed container and kept at room temperature.

Citronella Lamp Oil

Citronella oil can be used as fuel for outdoor oil lamps and lanterns. This oil has been used for centuries for a variety of purposes including as a treatment of rashes, infections, and other health conditions.

Today, it is best known as a natural insect repellent. Citronella oil is a volatile substance derived from cultivated grasses that have a very distinctive odor that is unpleasant to mosquitoes and certain types of insects but for humans, presents a pleasant citrus smell. It is the lamp oil of choice for those wanting insect protection and is used as fuel in tiki torches for this purpose. The oil produces smoke and is limited to outdoor use only.

Citronella oil is not recommended to be used with kerosene lamps or lanterns straight out of the bottle. However, it can be mixed with 1-K kerosine as a 50/50 mixture. This blend helps thin the fuel and may extend the lantern’s wick life.

Citronella Oil Brands approved for outdoor use – in Tubular Lanterns and Flat Wick Oil Lamps if mixed 50/50:

Brands include - Crown Citronella Torch and Lamp Fuel, Tiki Brand Citronella Torch Fuel

Storage Conditions - Citronella Oil can be stored inside or out but must be kept from freezing temperatures.

Shelf Life - Citronella oil does expire and its appearance changes over time. Read the product label and discard the bottle once it hits the expiration date.

How much do I need?

Burn time of lamp oil, regardless of type: Lamp oil, in general, burns about 0.5 ounces per hour. For a 6-hour run per day, 1 gallon of lamp oil will last around 42 days.

Frequently Asked Questions

Learn more about using lamp oil as emergency fuel.