What fuel should I use in my Aladdin Mantle Lamps?

The best fuel to use in any Aladdin Lamp is kerosene. The cleanest brand can be purchased on our website, and is bottled by the Aladdin Mantle Lamp Company. This is the cleanest, clearest kerosene you can buy and consequently has very little odor.

The next cleanest grade is K-1 kerosene and can be purchased at most hardware stores. When purchasing this grade, be sure to check that it is 'water clear' and virtually odorless. It is not recommended that you use 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.

We are currently evaluating a product that is 99% pure paraffin. We hope to have an alternative to offer those of you who may not wish to use kerosene. We have seen many problems with inferior paraffin products, including "puddling" (oil pooling in the burner)and mantles that get hot too fast. At this time, however, we can only recommend using kerosene.

Where can I 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 dyed kerosene. The dye will clog the wick and may cause your mantle not to burn as bright. You can still find 'water clear' kerosene in the paint department of your local hardware store.

For larger quantities, check your local gas stations (especially in rural areas). Some may have K-1 pumps with the clear, taxed kerosene. It may be cheaper in larger quantities than buying it in the hardware store in 1 gallon or smaller sizes.

How much fuel does an Aladdin lamp consume?

Aladdin Lamps consume 2.667 oz. of fuel per hour at the highest light availability. Most bowls hold 1 qt. of fuel (the Deluxe Brass holds 1 1/2 qts.), so that gives you 12 hours of dependable light per quart!