View Full Version : Can you use lamp oil in a trangia?
Asa Samuel
13-05-2009, 14:08
I have a trangia but no alchohol or meths but I do have some lamp oil kicking about, would I be able to use it in the trangia?
Thanks,
Asa Samuel.
Never tried it, but I would imagine that it is too viscous and not volatile enough to work.
You can pick up a gallon of meths for about a tenner from hardware shops / decorators suppliers (avoid B&Q and the diy sheds - they are a rip off), so why ruin a good burner...
Just my opinion.
Simon
Asa Samuel
13-05-2009, 14:19
It takes a while to ge to the nearest place that sells it and I don't go very often thats why I was wondering.
Thanks for the reply :)
British Red
13-05-2009, 15:05
Plenty of places do it mail order - probably cheaper than driving for a couple of quid delivery - I had three gallons delivered a while back!
big_swede
13-05-2009, 19:10
DON'T USE ANYTHING BUT ALCOHOL!!
Trangia themselves warn about this!
Asa Samuel
13-05-2009, 19:12
Ok, thanks. I'll try and get some meths soon.
alpha_centaur
13-05-2009, 19:42
Try your local chemists they will either have it in stock or should be able to order it for you, but it will be a bit more expensive
Try your local chemists they will either have it in stock or should be able to order it for you, but it will be a bit more expensive
But don't accept 'Surgical Spirit' as a substitute - it'll burn, but the Trangia will stink forever of camphor!
Jim
Lamp oil is paraffin, so NO.
Surgical spirit is too low in strength to work (Jim, smell of camphor, thats a new one on me, no smell on the surgical spirit we use at the hospital) well if at all in a Trangia.
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Methanol is much cheaper and I've started using it now but its more toxic than meths so don't drink it or spill a lot on your skin
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Asa Samuel
13-05-2009, 22:43
Wow, methanol is quite a lot cheaper. I doubt I'd need 25 litres but thanks for the heads up abuot prices :)
Surgical spirit is too low in strength to work (Jim, smell of camphor, thats a new one on me, no smell on the surgical spirit we use at the hospital) well if at all in a Trangia.
I'm talking about the sort of 'surgical spirit' you get from a chemist. I was with a youth group some years ago and it was bought by mistake. It burnt OK, but the smell of camphor was strong!
Jim
I'm talking about the sort of 'surgical spirit' you get from a chemist. I was with a youth group some years ago and it was bought by mistake. It burnt OK, but the smell of camphor was strong!
Jim
Ahh, scented surgical spirit then.
I held off using Methanol for some time concerned over toxicity, but a couple of guys in Norway I speak to have used it for years and many Americans use HEET which is methanol so I took the plunge.
The cost appeals because I want to use my Heatpal 5100 or Gloys Heatpal as tent heaters and they can use a litre of alcohol a night each and I've scrapped plans to buy and use a woodburner in a tent, too labour intensive and bulky for me.
I used to get methanol from the science dept. until our supplier asked why we were suddenly using a lot more than usual.
Just watch the Gov as you have to a licence to use it as fuel IIRC.
Simon