How do I Burn Mineral Oil in Oil Lamps?

How do I Burn Mineral Oil in Oil Lamps?
Published: Sep 8, 2010
Updated: Nov 20, 2021
1 minute read

Making your lamp oil from mineral oil is cheap and easy thanks to its availability in grocery and department stores. It burns easily and safely, allowing you to make use of oil lamps during a storm or for ambiance.

Things You Will Need

  • 4 oz. mineral oil
  • 2 oz. coconut carrier oil
  • Glass bowl
  • Disposable stirrer
  • 30 drops food coloring
  1. Add the mineral oil and coconut oil to the glass bowl. Mix them thoroughly with a disposable stirrer. Coconut oil can be found in grocery stores. Coconut oil thins out the mineral oil so that it doesn't create a lot of black soot when it burns.

  2. Stir in your choice of food coloring. This tints the mineral oil a pleasing color for clear oil lamps.

  3. Remove the top of the oil lamp and remove the wick.

  4. Pour the mineral oil into the receptacle of the oil lamp and dunk the wick back into it. Reassemble the oil lamp for use. Let it sit for two hours before lighting so the wick can absorb the oil.

The Drip Cap

  • Mineral oil burns in oil lamps easily when blended lightly with other items.
  • Making your lamp oil from mineral oil is cheap and easy thanks to its availability in grocery and department stores.
  • Remove the top of the oil lamp and remove the wick.

Photo Credits

oil lamp image by Aleksandr Ugorenkov from Fotolia.com

oil lamp image by Aleksandr Ugorenkov from Fotolia.com

Chelsea Hoffman

The author of such novels as “Planet Omega” and the romantic drama, “Chloe and Louis,” Chelsea Hoffman devotes her time to writing about a myriad of different topics like gardening, beauty, crafts, cooking and medical research. She's…

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