Old Kerosene Lamps

debodun

debodun

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Location
way upstate in New York, USA
I found some old kerosene lamps in the cellar that still had fuel in them which has probably been 40 years. Instead of having to make a trip to the recycling center and pay a fee for hazardous waste disposal, I thought I could burn it off - the lamps still have their wicks. I lighted one and it was so smoky and only burned a minute and went out. I tied raising the wick slightly and re-lit it. It still only burned about a minute with a horrible smoky flame (good thing I did it on the porch). Is it because the kerosene is bad?

kerosene_lamps1.jpg
 

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How Long Does Kerosene Last Before It Goes Bad? | heatwhiz.com​

https://www.heatwhiz.com/how-long-kerosene-lasts/
The standard kerosene shelf life, when stored properly, is between two and five years. Keep in mind that we do mean "when stored properly" - if you are not storing your kerosene well-enough its shelf life can be even shorter than two years. Why does kerosene go bad? The main reason why kerosene goes bad after a while is condensation.

Kerosene: How Long it Lasts, When it Expires and How to ...​

https://readylifestyle.com/how-long-does-kerosene-last/
A good rule of thumb is kerosene will last for 5 years. It can grow biological material in it which can clog fuel systems and it's possible for water to be introduced to it which will degrade it. If you have doubts, strain the kerosene through a filter prior to using it.
 
@debodun huz used to restore Model T Fords and they had kerosene side lamps and tail lights
He is a veteran at wick trimming etc etc
However that being said do be super careful when you get new wicks and light them for the first time
The 2 kerosene lamps sure are pretty aren't they šŸ˜Š
 
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