I have several lanterns going out in the yard 24/7, both to provide lighting (I live out in the middle of nowhere) and also to help a bit with bugs (with a Citronella Java additive in the Kerosene).
Not all lanterns are created equally as far as suseptabilty to moisture problems, but they all suffer to some extent or another. Some of mine can pretty much live a normal life of a wick if they start out on the right foot, while others need significant attention weekly.
Symptoms of a wet wick are as follows:
-A globe that soots up much more quicly than normal.
-A flame that seems erratic, "sparky", crackly.
-A wick that chars up hard in only a few days.
-A lantern that goes out for no apparent reason.
To start things off right, start with a new wick that is dry to begin with. Just because it is new doesn't mean it is dry. I store mine in the basement, which is uncomfortably damp right now. A new wick gets to go into the microwave oven. Now all microwave ovens aren't created the same, but with mine I put it in at full power for several 30 second bakes. I feel it after each bake. A wet wick will feel warm and damp when it comes out of the microwave. Once it dries you will notice that it feels not as warm and does not feel damp when you test it.
If a wick gets water logged in use, and the majority of the wick still looks clean (not brown), it can probably be saved. Before attempting to dry it, the kerosene must be removed. Otherwise the water will have a hard time getting out. Wash it well in hot water/detergent, dump the solution, replace and let it soak some more overnight. The next day rinse well in hot water, let is soak in some clean hot water some more. If the water does not have any signs of kerosene floating on top you have a clean wick. If you see some spots floating on the water, rinse it again. The allow the wick to dry well in the sun. Flip it over once in a while to allow both sides to dry. If you can get away with it (aka "wife is out shopping") finish the drying in the microwave. It may smell a bit from residual kerosene, so make sure you have time to let the smell dissipate so you don't get caught doing this by "you know who".
If the wick is getting damp in use, the kerosene has water in it. When refilling a font, dump whatever is left in the bottom of the tank before refilling. Look inside the font to see if there are water drops still there. If there are, rinse with a bit of kerosene and dump it again. Let dry in the hot sun if you can before filling the font.
I have been using a "Mr Funnel" to remove as much water as I can from the kerosene in my storage cans when I pour it from the big cans to my smaller 1 gallon "lamp filling can". It isn't getting it all out, but it helps.
I have played with adding Methanol (AKA "Yellow HEET"). I am not yet convinced that it works in kerosene. It migth mix well with water and gasoline, but I am not sure how well it mixes with Kerosene. I need to get out a test tube and do an experiment I guess.
Changing subjects slightly, if you live in bug territory like I do, you might be burning citronella oil in a lamp or two to keep the bugs confused. Department store citronella oil is well over $10 bucks a gallon around here right now, and I would be going though 3 or more gallons a week if I was using it. I'm not using it. Instead, I am using regular clear kerosene that I get from a local gas station and adding about an ounce of "Citronella Java" to each gallon of kerosene. The "citrolla lamp oil" you get in the overpriced department stores is basically kerosene with around an ounce or so of this stuff added to it. If you are a heavy user like I am and you make your own it will save you a lot of $$ in the long run.
You can get "Citronella Java" from alot of internet suppliers. I get it from newdirectionsaromatics in 6.6# cans. There is also a "Citronella Ceylon" that works the same as Citronella Java but you will have to add about twice as much to get the same affect. Note that the price for Citronella Java varies alot over time. Keeping your eyes open for seasonal sales (reduced seasonal price, 10% off, free shipping) can save you a few bucks.
Rick
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