Proper Wick Trim for Oil Lamp

[Ocean Girl]

Can anyone tell me how to properly trim a wick, my flame is a bit u shaped. I am using weems and plath oil. Never had this trouble before but I think the bigger wicks may be more sensitive to trim.
here is a picture of the sad little flame.



Thanks and Happy New Year
Erika

[s/v 'Faith']

Round the edges a bit. It looks like the wick is pretty much flat across, that makes the flame have horns like your picture.

[sailvayu]

Yes cut it in an arc shape and you have a nice round flame

Fair Winds

[S/V Antares]

The flame should not be much wider than the wick itself and the wick should have about 2 - 3mm showing above the holder When burning proper It should not have any black soot. Smaller flame is best to start with

[Starbuck]

After you knock the corners off, just trim so it doesn't smoke, and you're gold.

[Ocean Girl]

Thanks all, will trim with a curve.
Happy new year!
Erika

[anjou]

After installing a new wick and burning for the first time, its wise to keep it wet. Dont let the oil in the lamp run out as the wick dries and it doesnt burn the same again.

Happy New Year

[Ocean Girl]

Thanks Anjou, I commonly let it burn through so won't do that anymore
Happy New Year,
Erika

[annk]

I actually own a pair of 'wick-trimming' scissors!!

Can't remember where I got them from though...

They cut the wick into exactly the right arc and even have a little ledge that catches the nasty black bit that you cut off, I recommend them!

[Tom.B]

I was going to start a whole new thread, but I guess I could just ask y'all instead...


I just reconditioned our gimbaled <SP> oil lamps and want to know what is the best oil to burn? Been told that mineral oil is the cheapest and cleanest, but the guy that I bought my new burners from said just to use K-1 kerosene. Then there is the commercial lamp oil. Opinions?

One other side question is: Do I need to change the wick if I change from one oil to another based on availability?

[anjou]

Originally Posted by Ocean Girl

Thanks Anjou, I commonly let it burn through so won't do that anymore
Happy New Year,
Erika

If you let it burn out, it causes more charcoal to form, then you get long tongues of yellow flame.

[Bash]

Originally Posted by GonzoF1

I just reconditioned our gimbaled <SP> oil lamps and want to know what is the best oil to burn? Been told that mineral oil is the cheapest and cleanest, but the guy that I bought my new burners from said just to use K-1 kerosene. Then there is the commercial lamp oil. Opinions?

Use Ultra-Pure 99% pure paraffin. When used properly, it's absolutely odorless, smokeless and sootless, as they claim. Available in hardware stores.

[Tom.B]

Define "properly". And how readily available is it? IOW, is it in every hardware store?

I'd be willing to deal with a little soot/smoke for the cheaper solution... But no a lot. Looking for the balance between cheap and clean.

[Ocean Girl]

I pay 15 bucks for a little quart of weems and plath, very clean burning even with my poor wick trim. I was just about to ask about scissors. Anyone know where to find a cutter designed for wicks?
Erika

[svHyLyte]

Try These:



Finger Nail Scissors, 3 1/2 inch Curved: Widget Supply

Similar fingernail trimmers are available at most drug stores.

Also, for what it's worth, the top of the wick should not extend above the top of the slot in the burner. If so, it will char unnecessarily. The burner on the lamp is designed to become hot, heating the wick, and causing the fuel to vaporize off the wick where it ignites above the burner. Once the wick is properly trimmed (a flatish convex cure) one only needs to pinch the blacked end between a folded paper towel daily or so to keep it servicable.

Also, try Hollowick Lamp Oil.

FWIW