Question to those who may be able to advise...... I have a paraffin supply that may be less than clean, could be described as "reclaimed old stuff / found in the back of the shed" How would you suggest I filter it for use in my pressure lamps and stoves I will admit that my wick lamps get to drink the really mucky stuff
I haven't tried it myself, but many mambers both here and at CCS are very satisfied with "Mr Funnel". Check these links at CCS for some reviews.
I usually filter reclaimed kerosene through a coffee filter. It might need a couple of filter changes depending on the volume, so it's a good idea to do it where spillage is not an issue (the wife wasn't impressed with kero all over the kitchen table ).
I am pretty sure the standard tilley and petromax filters on the funnels work well. But why spending money on a (rare) lantern and then fill it with cheap stuff ?
It also work fine to pour all leftovers in a high and narrow container where it can sit and sediment good. Give it plenty of time. Perhaps half a year, or so. This is how I do with the cleaning agents in my parts washer, but it also work well on paraffin. It's just to siphon out the clear liquid, and leave the rest. I have the same aproach as Nils. New and good stuff for lamps. The siphoned, reclaimed stuff for stoves and also wickies. The really mucky leftover is also saved and used as a firestarter when burning stubborn things in the fire barrel. Fair enough, but it's really not to recommend. Wicks are sensitive things, and are easily ruined by particles and muck. But well separated, old paraffin is practically as good as new, so that's fine.
@KAB I have a Mr Funnel. I use it for clean kerosene that might have some water in it from storage. The old or dirty kerosene, I treat as @Carlsson does. I use only very clean fuel in pressure lanterns and lamps. Cheers Tony
I purchased a " Mr Funnel " off e bay and it does the job just fine ... expensive though but impressive I have the smaller version ... har... I am not filling an 8 wheel Chevy truck , Jag or quad biks so the smaller version suits me just fin.. and is quick enough .. there is always a small residue of fuel at the bottom of the filter ... you can chose what to do yourself with that ... waste oil tub or back in the mix... no worries
I also let old paraffin sit in a clear container for weeks and when all of the muck has settled to the bottom of the container, I then carefully pour the clean paraffin into a fresh container, a clean cloth in the funnel will act as a second filter. The dirty paraffin still has it's uses, such as cleaning paint brushes and starting bonfires.
Like Jeff said, I was gifted a very old lantern that was filled with able liquid that looked like kero. I poured it into a jar and forgot about it but after a couple of weeks the muck had settled to the bottom and I was left with some very clear keep. I use these dregs to help start bonfires or stubborn log fires. Soaked onto some old newspaper it works a treat!
