The Dangers Of Paraffin .........

Discussion in 'Stove Forum' started by Davey, Feb 11, 2018.

  1. Davey

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  2. itchy

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    I saw that.
    I guess wearing what amounts to a last-ditch fail-safe all-weather quick-light fire starter, while smoking, can be dangerous.

    edit: Not making light of it. I spilled some priming alcohol on a t-shirt once and soon had a 6 inch hole and less belly hair before I noticed the fire.
     
    Last edited: Feb 11, 2018
  3. Davey

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    Hi Itchy,
    I keep hearing how these old paraffin stoves can be deadly if filled with the wrong fuel or if used inappropriately ......... seems to me, you’ve got to be a real clown to meet that kinda deadly in the street - I’m inclined to think I’m safer with the Primus than the skin cream after reading the BBC news. Always found meths to be a bit dodgy after using it regularly as a kid for firing up old Steam Traction toys .........
    Seem to recall one or two near misses
     
  4. Giri

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    I'm surprised that a lot of creams have kerosene in them to begin with.
     
  5. geeves

    geeves New Zealand Subscriber

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    In countrys like our that is true but go to a lot of third world countrys and what is sold as kerosene type stove fuel can be anything that burns (even that last part is optional) You could end up with av gas leaded regular or any of the benzines The purity is such that you cant tell by sniffing it unless its that bad that sniffing it kills you
     
  6. phaedrus42

    phaedrus42 Subscriber

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    I think they are referring to liquid paraffin which is an ingredient in medication, creams and cosmetics and quite different from illumination paraffin / kerosene.
     
  7. Wim

    Wim Subscriber

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    A very popular product for making creams etc. is what we call vaseline, which I think translates as petroleum jelly. One can use it to make fire starters, soaked into cotton balls. Ignition by fire steel or similar.
     
  8. Trojandog

    Trojandog United Kingdom Subscriber

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  9. itchy

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    I should have been more clear. I had also interpreted paraffin, in this context, to refer to the petroleum jelly stuff, not the fuel. Still a very dependable fire starter when impregnating cotton or similar fibers. I've used an expired tube of antibacterial topical ointment (Bacitracin or Neosporin, I think) for just that purpose since it is ~98% Vaseline.

    I've never used traditional oiled/waxed canvas gear for wet weather, but I suppose you would want to be careful with it as well around fires.
     
  10. Pitsligo

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    Climbing in Argentina in the late '80s, we did a lot of cussing at the stuff they sold us as stove fuel. It didn't burn worth a rip, and stank like burning tires when it did. I think it was officially supposed to be naptha, or maybe paint thinner --"solvente", I think we called it-- but if so, it was the dirtiest, heaviest cut I've ever encountered.

    I haven't yet had any trouble with my duster --probably because if I'm wearing it, it's damp out-- but I'm embarassed I never concerned myself with that risk. :oops:

    Alex
     
  11. Davey

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    I keep a little plastic film canister filled with petroleum jelly/paraffin jelly soaked cotton wool for camping etc - a few sparks will ignite it readily and this is my first choice in starting a fire in all weathers.
    Granted, in places like India there are a shocking number of deaths due to the use of these stoves and others of this type - when looking at the stats in detail however, most are due to these stoves being tended by very young women in very flammable clothing, ‘domestic’ incidents and their being used often at ground level within a small confined and busy space. The Victorian working class were blighted by as frequent and as tragic a rate of incidence of death and injury - and for much the same reasons found today in India. Looking at historical source and we can readily see the common findings. I never knew of any incidences involving paraffin as a kid, not one - colour coded fuel cans never yet much of a thought. I grew up in an age where as a kid we’d buy every kind of fuel in a can appropriate, for bikes, outboards, stoves, Tilley lamps, traction and stationary engines and models ......... always had the sense to check the fuel, the can and purpose.
    This was not beyond the common sense and scope of a ten year old boy surely? We quickly got to know by tinkering with engines of bikes, lawnmowers etc that fuel needed to be good, how easily it could spoil or stale - if it was water bound or bugged. Some petrol stations back then quickly became known for their fuel cleanliness or fault - whatever the brand, it was how it was kept and how regular it turned over often. You don’t have to go to India in order to get right royally screwed on fuel - I’ve gone around the coast of Britain and Ireland and seen some shocking fuel berths, trust me the R.N.LI spend a shed load of money on regularly (very regularly) changing out fuel filters.

    *I’m well aware of the difference between a paraffin stove fuel and a petroleum based skin cream guys - as I would hope do most on this forum. Also seen human candles smothered in these creams ready to light up alongside a cigarette or electric fire ......... *

    A little robin landed heavily on the window earlier - poor lil bugger had broken his leg. My little boy scooped him up and handed him to me, begging me to fix it. After a minute or two and a little ingenuity I fixed that little birds leg by making a splint of two matches .........
    How his little face lit up when he took his first step!
     
  12. Pitsligo

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    You're a bad man.

    Alex
     
  13. geeves

    geeves New Zealand Subscriber

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    Had the robin broken both legs you could of used thoes last two matches to splint one leg and the striker to splint the other
    (its not cold here I dont need my coat)
     
  14. snwcmpr

    snwcmpr SotM Winner Subscriber

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    Is this another example of how the different names for fuels cause us problems with the application of fuels and the complications that result?
     
  15. Lannigdu

    Lannigdu Subscriber

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    Hi all,

    Just for the fun on the danger of fire and stoves :
    On Amazon tv , a Russian série called “Snow and ashes “ during WW2,
    The bad guy blow up an ammunition dump using a Primus stove !
    That happens at the beginning of episode one ! The rest of the série is up to you !
    Fun to watch !
    Regards