So I had my optimus 8 going, but not with the powerfull roar I see in other vids and pictures. I used dutch wasbenzine, a naphta fuel like Coleman's. A member suggested it was the same. Now I switched what you all use, Coleman's. What a difference ! A much more powerfull flame, roar and much much easier to get it started. What was I thinking. So to all the Dutchies using the cheaper wasbenzine, Colemans is way better Here a vid from first burn , still Orange tips at flames, but I see it gets better with time https://youtube.com/shorts/kbkoHlhjTtY?si=Y2yLHEApFMTQ3HaW
Looks like Belgian wasbenzine is of a better quality! I also use Aspen4 with the same result (but at higher cost...)
I have been using wasbenzine since 2007, but in recent years I have the feeling that not all wasbenzine are the same. I haven't done a very extensive research to it, but, as far as I can tell, the wasbenzine in the clear bottles with the red Label on it, made by SEL works the best. Albert Heijn sells this brand. Other brands dilute the wasbenzine with 'bio-fuel' which run horribly in stoves and lanterns. But I also have to say, in the winter, I use Aspen 4 or Coleman fuel. Wasbenzine is a slightly bit heavier and burn a bit yellow when its cold. So, long story short: only use SEL brand wasbenzine and only use it when its warm outside...
Ah ok ! The buggers diluted the stuff. Indeed didnt have the SEL. Ill stick with coleman, but for sure Ill do a comparrison.
The shop where I got my wasbenzine from used to have 2 types. The other type was a lighter fraction, better for burners they claimed. I got the cheaper, slightly heavier fraction but it works perfectly good.
Looks that 'wasbenzine' contains hydrocarbon chains with 5 to 12 carbon atoms: Wasbenzine - Wikipedia Is 'wasbenzine' some kind of "oil based turpentine" to wash paint brushes or to dilute solvent based paints? Here in Finland Coleman fuel is not available but purified Heptane is available as industrial solvent. It has 5 carbon atoms and it is purest fuel for gasoline/petrol stoves. Hydrocarbon - Wikipedia That heptane works for lighters (e.g. Zippo/similar) and catalytic hand warmers and also bigger calytic heaters. I guess that 'wasbenzine' that burns well in gasoline/petrol stoves has lots of those low count carbon atom / shorter hydrocarbon chains. 'Wasbenzine' that burns with yellow flame has more those longer hydrocarbon chains.
OK thnx for the chemistry explanation. Explains alot. The Coleman is so flamable, in comparison with the Wasbenzine I used. I am also little bit more scared.
Wasbenzine is a pure petroleum distilate used in many industrial processes for instance for winning oil out of nuts. After the mechanical extraction the remains are dumped (soaked) in wasbenzine to get out the last bit of oil. The wasbenzine is then separated from the veg oil by heating (and cooling to recupe the wasbenzine). Also for dry cleaning textiles (being careful for synthetic stuff!) and for degreasing metal surfaces before painting. Because all of this, it contains no added dopes or whatever at all. The wasbenzine I use has always performed very good in (Coleman) lanterns and multiple makes of stoves.
I guess Coleman Fuel, MSR Sper Fuel and Primus Power Fuel are very very much Heptane and maybe some other hydrocarbon chains also. Maybe that is the reason why it produces a bit yellow flame. It seems that wasbenzine that Wim gets is more like Coleman fuel. Evaporation speed can be used as simple and non-scientific test to see how good fuel is for gasoline/petrol stoves. If fuel evaporates quickly it is better than fuel that evaporates slowly or leaves oily surface. Heptane evaporates very quickly if you clean some surface with it or if you get it onto your hands (same as gasoline/petrol for car). Kerosene and diesel evaporates very slowly and they leave oily surface for long time if you clean some surface with them.
Flash point (and Boiling point) describes more accurately how easily fuel would ignite. Quite often 'Safety Data Sheet'(SDS) or 'Material Safety Data Sheet'(MSDS) (Which I believe is mandatory according to EU's REACH act/directive)[ https://echa.europa.eu/documents/10162/23036412/sds_en.pdf/01c29e23-2cbe-49c0-aca7-72f22e101e20 and Extended safety data sheets - ECHA] contains flash and boiling points and some times also hydrocarbon chain content of fuels and solvents. If SDS/MSDS is available for 'wasbenzine' information there can be compared to these to see how it compares e.g. to Heptane, Kerosene, etc.: Hydrocarbons - Physical Data Fuels - Boiling Points Difference between different brand 'wasbenzine' could be found out from SDS/MSDS (if they contain detailed enough information...)
