Bladon blowlamp.

[Retired]

Hi,

Thanks Lawrence for taking the time to explain the dangers of these paraffin lamps.

Watching videos of paraffin blowlamps being fired up then shut down is a bit alarming. I'm certainly not the timid kind but I shouldn't have been surprised in the least when a hot ignited blowlamp had its pressure released to put the flame out then if the release valve was nipped up again paraffin fumes were seen to appear; yes the valve needs to be kept open until the lamp fully cools.

Given these dangers however slight I think I'll give buying a paraffin lamp a miss as I don't really need one but the blowlamp will prove useful and now I'm made aware of the dangers I'll treat it with utmost respect.

I previously mentioned I had bought a single ring electric hob for garage/workshop use? This is all I would ever use this hob for because of power failure we have the gas hob for heating water and food so in this respect we are well covered. For lighting in a power cut we've relied on candles and a torch. If we suffered regular prolonged power cuts though I would quickly invest in a generator.

I fancied a paraffin lamp but didn't realize the dangers until I asked so I do appreciate your information Lawrence; thank you.

Kind regards, Col.