Kerosene can cause problems due to its strong odor, but it can be deodorized by adding paraffin oil, denatured alcohol, or sassafras oil. It can also be filtered through activated carbon or mixed with powdered limestone to remove the odor. These methods can make camping trips more enjoyable.
Kerosene may not have the popularity in the home it once enjoyed, but there are still enough household uses that the strong smell can cause some problems. A number of different additives can be used to reduce or eliminate the odor, or the fuel can be filtered to remove the elements causing the unpleasant odor.
One of the oldest methods of making deodorized kerosene is to add paraffin oil. While the amount to add varies from one popular recipe to another, most recommend using one part paraffin oil to two parts kerosene. Many people also believe that this combination will result in a fuel that will burn brighter in an oil lamp.
If paraffin is not available, ordinary denatured alcohol can be used. Denatured alcohol is actually isopropyl alcohol and can be purchased at most retail stores. If the kerosene is intended for use in a camping lamp or heater, adding 1 ounce (29.5 mL) of rubbing alcohol can often greatly reduce the aroma of 1 gallon (3,785 liters) of fuel. If denatured alcohol isn’t readily available, a recipe of one part white spirit to three parts kerosene will produce the same result. Alternatively, 20 drops of sassafras oil are said to greatly reduce the odor of 1 gallon (3,785 liters) of kerosene.
When it comes to attempting to filter odors from kerosene, there are two suggested methods. First, the kerosene is passed through an activated carbon filter. This filter is supposed to capture some of the elements in the fuel that actually cause the smell, and by eliminating them the smell is drastically reduced. A second approach is to add 1 cup (about 330 grams) of powdered limestone to 1 gallon (3,785 liters) of kerosene. The mixture should be allowed to sit for three to five days; at that point, any powder residues will have settled on the bottom of the container. The fuel must then be filtered into a clean container. Limestone is said to absorb the odor causing properties of kerosene, leaving the fuel to burn brightly and with almost no odor.
For people who can’t stand the strong smell of kerosene, these methods can mean the difference between an enjoyable camping trip or one that’s pure misery.
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