Tony D. wrote " I have found "lamp oil" (also labeled parrafin wax oil) as sold in stores here, (Bay Area), barely provides enough heat to maintain a candle. "
My experiece substituting "paraffin oil" for "lamp oil" was the lamp wicks had a tiny flame with little light or heat. When I emptied the "paraffin oil" and replaced it with "lamp oil" the light increased a lot and the wick stopped burning to char which slowed the wicking action noticeably. Of course this has nothing to do with live steam directly, other than some on the list have used the term "paraffin oil" synonymously with "lamp oil". After my experience I would conclude fuel labeled paraffin oil is not the same as lamp oil. http://www.potters.org/subject06417.htm This site has a statement from someone more knowledgeable than I about fuels: "paraffin oil updated sat 1 nov 97 Bill Aycock on thu 12 jun 97 ([EMAIL PROTECTED]) Lamp oil seekers- please be advised that the word "paraffin" associated with an oil just means that it is in the common petroleum family. The paraffin series includes Methane-Ethane-Propane-Butane-etc, and most of the constituents of gasoline and diesel fuel.. The ones usually meant when the word is used for a lamp oil are larger molecules than the ones up to those used in gasoline, but are about the same as diesel fuel . In common useage,It is the name used in many British origin countries for what is called Kerosene in the US. There are MANY grades and levels of purity sold. Calling an oil "Paraffin", has little distinctive meaning. The safest procedure is to ignore the name, and rely on the usage description and the source." ~Bill Aycock ~Gary - Eugene, OR http://www.angelfire.com/or/trainguy
