Oil lamp

moments_of_sanity

My DH inherited an oil lamp from his parents which I absolutely love, the problem is that even though I have bought some smoke less oil it still smokes? I am reluctant to use the lamp as I don't want everything smelling of smoke.

Does anyone have any ideas on any better oil to burn that won't smoke as much?

I have attached a picture of the lamp so you can see what I am talking about.

http://www.flickr.com/photos/91707691@N04/10820987273/

[Deleted User]

MOS if the lamp is smoking badly the wick needs trimming and then adjusting to the point where it stops giving off smoke. There should be a small metal bar with a knob on at the side of the lamp level with the burner to raise or lower the wick and this is where you adjust it. If it's smoking badly you need to lower it slightly back into the slot it comes out of. Hope that helps, Lyn x.

moments_of_sanity

MrsLurcherwalker wrote: »

MOS if the lamp is smoking badly the wick needs trimming and then adjusting to the point where it stops giving off smoke. There should be a small metal bar with a knob on at the side of the lamp level with the burner to raise or lower the wick and this is where you adjust it. If it's smoking badly you need to lower it slightly back into the slot it comes out of. Hope that helps, Lyn x.

Thank you, I will try that. There is a metal bar with a knob on that moves the wick but I can't seem to get it to stop smoking........off to attack the wick with my scissors!

[Deleted User]

MOS you night have a residue from whatever fuel it was last filled with (before yours this time) so it might be a case of having to replace the wick if you can't stop it from smoking by trimming it and adjusting it. Take a piece of the wick with you to the hardware/ironmongers if you are going to replace it entirely, you need the exact size for your burner, good luck hope you can fix it and then enjoy your oil lamp, Lyn xxx.

moments_of_sanity

It has huge flames on it, is this normal? I have to be careful with the wicks as if I lower them too much they go out but if they are only sticking out a little I get big flames! :eek:

[Deleted User]

MOS we have exactly the same lamp as that and He Who Knows is off to light it to see how much of the wick is showing when it stops smoking. We run ours on paraffin not oil, check the bottle on your smokeless oil to see if it's suitable for burning in oil lamps as it might not be, some are suitable for garden oil lamps which always give off smoke. You get a slight smell from the paraffin but it's not unpleasant in the house, Lyn xxx.

He's got ours lit and it's not giving off any smoke at all, he says that the wick is very low in the top of the burner with virtually none of it showing and it's got a flame less than 1/2" above the wick. Is the wick old? and had the lamp been used with this wick? it might not be the right size for the burner and He says they slip badly if the size is wrong.

moments_of_sanity

MrsLurcherwalker wrote: »

MOS we have exactly the same lamp as that and He Who Knows is off to light it to see how much of the wick is showing when it stops smoking. We run ours on paraffin not oil, check the bottle on your smokeless oil to see if it's suitable for burning in oil lamps as it might not be, some are suitable for garden oil lamps which always give off smoke. You get a slight smell from the paraffin but it's not unpleasant in the house, Lyn xxx.

He's got ours lit and it's not giving off any smoke at all, he says that the wick is very low in the top of the burner with virtually none of it showing and it's got a flame less than 1/2" above the wick. Is the wick old? and had the lamp been used with this wick? it might not be the right size for the burner and He says they slip badly if the size is wrong.

Thank you Mrs Lurcherwalker and He Who Knows. I have attached a photograph of the lamp when I first light it and if you look thru the flickr file you will see another one where the flames are smaller and another where (hopefully) you can see how much of the wick is showing.

I know the lamp hasn't been used for many years so maybe I need to invest in a new wick. I have checked the oil and it is suitable for paraffin lamps but I also have some paraffin so might try that with new wicks.

http://www.flickr.com/photos/91707691@N04/10823993695/

[Deleted User]

Thanks for pictures. Our lamp is identical.In newest pic you have the snuffer on top of the wick so push the handle up to expose the wick. Flame in second picture is a bit big and in third its huge. I light up and get something like middle pic on both flames then put the funnel on ( and the globe if you like ) and then adjust both flames with the two screws. Just back from the pub but will take some pictures of ours tomorrow morning and then post those so you can see ours. No need for new wicks if they are long enough and go up and down properly when you turn the screws. HWK

meritaten

this thread is invaluable! I was discussing with OH the possibility of using his Miners lamps cos of the cost of Electricity. the only prob was that he hadn't a clue how to use them! always used the battery operated helmet lamp you see! my dad would have known, but is no longer with us or my FIL.

moments_of_sanity

meritaten wrote: »

this thread is invaluable! I was discussing with OH the possibility of using his Miners lamps cos of the cost of Electricity. the only prob was that he hadn't a clue how to use them! always used the battery operated helmet lamp you see! my dad would have known, but is no longer with us or my FIL.

I am not keen on full lights on in the evening as I much prefer it to be slightly darker and seeing as I am normally the only one downstairs for most of the evenings (DH works til 9pm and DD's live in their bedrooms), I thought this would be a great alternative to putting the lights on (and it will give a little bit of heat off)

[Deleted User]

Morning MOS we've taken snaps of our lamp so you can see it's the same as yours, there is a picture of the wicks not lit as they are set in ours to burn properly, there is a pictire of one wick burning at the right height and the other one flaring to a smoky flame, like you had yesterday, there is one of the two adjusted wicks lit and with the inner glass funnel on and another with the outer globe in place so you can see how it looks burning properly set up. We've got paraffin in the lamp. Once you've got the wicks adjusted properly and lit and the inner clear funnel in place, you should be able to adjust the wicks up to get a brighter flame.