Forums > Technical Discussion > Firebreathing fuel in the UK
Login/Join to ParticipateBRONZE Member
member
67 posts
Location: Nottingham, UK
member
67 posts
Location: Nottingham, UK
Posted:
Apologies if this has already been discussed, or if this is the wrong place for this question, but....
I've just learned to firebreathe, and am trying to find the best place to get fuel in the UK. I understand that what I want is the purest paraffin/kerosene I can lay my hands on. At the moment that means buying "premium" kerosene from my local Homebase (hardware store), but I don't actually know how pure that is (only that it is a higher percentage of paraffin/kerosene than the "regular" variety), or what else is in it.... I'm sure there must be better fuel available somewhere?
While I'm on the subject, does anyone know much about the effects of the new Euromarker that has recently been added to all paraffin/kerosene in the EU? It's called "Solvent Yellow 124", I believe, and has turned all the paraffin over here a pale yellow colour. All I can find online is it's effects on aquatic life and similar if released into the environment! Not much hard info on it's toxicity relating to us mere humans.....
Any and all info appreciated!
Thanks everyone,
hugs,
m
Apologies if this has already been discussed, or if this is the wrong place for this question, but....
I've just learned to firebreathe, and am trying to find the best place to get fuel in the UK. I understand that what I want is the purest paraffin/kerosene I can lay my hands on. At the moment that means buying "premium" kerosene from my local Homebase (hardware store), but I don't actually know how pure that is (only that it is a higher percentage of paraffin/kerosene than the "regular" variety), or what else is in it.... I'm sure there must be better fuel available somewhere?
While I'm on the subject, does anyone know much about the effects of the new Euromarker that has recently been added to all paraffin/kerosene in the EU? It's called "Solvent Yellow 124", I believe, and has turned all the paraffin over here a pale yellow colour. All I can find online is it's effects on aquatic life and similar if released into the environment! Not much hard info on it's toxicity relating to us mere humans.....
Any and all info appreciated!
Thanks everyone,
hugs,
m
"Come to the edge", he said. They said "We are afraid."
"Come to the edge", he said. They came.
He pushed them..... and they flew.
- Apollinaire
BRONZE Member
old hand
1,031 posts
Location: Bath, England
old hand
1,031 posts
Location: Bath, England
Posted:
Hi there,
"Solvent Yellow 124" is one of the things that stopped me using the pre packaged paraffin that you can buy at hardware stores, it makes the paraffin taste very bitter (as if it wasnt bad enough anyway!) and I dont know on the toxicology side either.
The fuel I use is from a small garage - they sell it from the pump and it is definately a lot cheaper and is the cleanest I have used really so I recomend that you get yourself a jerrycan from an army surplus store and check out the garages in your area.
Good luck and play safely,
Mark P
Hi there,
"Solvent Yellow 124" is one of the things that stopped me using the pre packaged paraffin that you can buy at hardware stores, it makes the paraffin taste very bitter (as if it wasnt bad enough anyway!) and I dont know on the toxicology side either.
The fuel I use is from a small garage - they sell it from the pump and it is definately a lot cheaper and is the cleanest I have used really so I recomend that you get yourself a jerrycan from an army surplus store and check out the garages in your area.
Good luck and play safely,
Mark P
BRONZE Member
member
67 posts
Location: Nottingham, UK
member
67 posts
Location: Nottingham, UK
Posted:
Having only started firebreathing a fortnight ago, I have no idea what the stuff tasted like before the Euromarker was introduced, but actually I don't think it tastes that bad. Not as bad as I expected! Although I am assured by my mate who's teaching me that my premium paraffin, courtesy of Homebase, is one of the best tasting fuels he's tried.
As for garages, I've not noticed any selling it around here, but I'll keep my eyes peeled. Any idea what use they officially sell it for? That might help me track down others that sell it. Otherwise, any chance you could give me details of the garage you get yours from? I know people in your area of the country who might be able to stock up for me!
Thanks for the help
hugs,
m
Having only started firebreathing a fortnight ago, I have no idea what the stuff tasted like before the Euromarker was introduced, but actually I don't think it tastes that bad. Not as bad as I expected! Although I am assured by my mate who's teaching me that my premium paraffin, courtesy of Homebase, is one of the best tasting fuels he's tried.
As for garages, I've not noticed any selling it around here, but I'll keep my eyes peeled. Any idea what use they officially sell it for? That might help me track down others that sell it. Otherwise, any chance you could give me details of the garage you get yours from? I know people in your area of the country who might be able to stock up for me!
Thanks for the help
hugs,
m
"Come to the edge", he said. They said "We are afraid."
"Come to the edge", he said. They came.
He pushed them..... and they flew.
- Apollinaire
BRONZE Member
Irish
525 posts
Location: Dallas.........ish, USA
Irish
525 posts
Location: Dallas.........ish, USA
Posted:
be very very careful on your choice of fuel, aviation grade kero is supposed to be the best to blow with but you can only get it by the barrell, and i doubt you could get some from the RAF
i go w\ ultra pure lamp oil...essentially refined kero, and the aviation grade kero is the next step up from the ultra pure lamp oil....
or if you want to be more safe from the effects of the petrol gettin absorbed into your body use veggie oil, your blows are a 3rd of the size, but its not as bad for you body
.....its still dangerous though dont get me wrong....
EDITED_BY: darkpoet (1070564019)
be very very careful on your choice of fuel, aviation grade kero is supposed to be the best to blow with but you can only get it by the barrell, and i doubt you could get some from the RAF
i go w\ ultra pure lamp oil...essentially refined kero, and the aviation grade kero is the next step up from the ultra pure lamp oil....
or if you want to be more safe from the effects of the petrol gettin absorbed into your body use veggie oil, your blows are a 3rd of the size, but its not as bad for you body
.....its still dangerous though dont get me wrong....
EDITED_BY: darkpoet (1070564019)
Jesus saves sinners and redeems them for cash and
prizes
Co-Founder of Keepers of Light
Educate yourself about the Hazards of Fire Breathing STAY SAFE!
GOLD Member
Carpal \'Tunnel
3,252 posts
Location: sheffield, United Kingdom
Carpal \'Tunnel
3,252 posts
Location: sheffield, United Kingdom
Posted:
There's a couple of places near me for paraffin.
One's a old style DIY shop run by some old guys who are really helpful and friendly; they're kept on their toes by various juggler/spinners in the area who go there looking for obscure materials to made bizarre toys like stilts and fire equipment. They sell paraffin in litre containers.
The other place is a small garage which has a paraffin dispensor machine outside; you buy tokens from the office and can use then in the machine any time, day or night.
I use mainly the garage cos it's cheaper.
As for the 'official' use of paraffin, my impression is that it's mainly for greenhouse heaters, so garden centres and small DIY stores probably stock it.
Interestingly, the garage has recently started to insist on paraffin buyers having a registered account (address etc noted), due to people using paraffin for 'unofficial' purposes i.e. converting it into red diesel style fuel and running vehicles on it. They told me that registration was now a legal requirement for garages.
Quote:
As for garages, I've not noticed any selling it around here, but I'll keep my eyes peeled. Any idea what use they officially sell it for? That might help me track down others that sell it.
There's a couple of places near me for paraffin.
One's a old style DIY shop run by some old guys who are really helpful and friendly; they're kept on their toes by various juggler/spinners in the area who go there looking for obscure materials to made bizarre toys like stilts and fire equipment. They sell paraffin in litre containers.
The other place is a small garage which has a paraffin dispensor machine outside; you buy tokens from the office and can use then in the machine any time, day or night.
I use mainly the garage cos it's cheaper.
As for the 'official' use of paraffin, my impression is that it's mainly for greenhouse heaters, so garden centres and small DIY stores probably stock it.
Interestingly, the garage has recently started to insist on paraffin buyers having a registered account (address etc noted), due to people using paraffin for 'unofficial' purposes i.e. converting it into red diesel style fuel and running vehicles on it. They told me that registration was now a legal requirement for garages.
"You can't outrun Death forever.
But you can make the Bastard work for it."
--MAJOR KORGO KORGAR,
"Last of The Lancers"
AFC 32
Educate your self in the Hazards of Fire Breathing STAY SAFE!
BRONZE Member
old hand
1,092 posts
Location: In a van, United Kingdom
old hand
1,092 posts
Location: In a van, United Kingdom
Posted:
i buy about 12 litres a week of parrafin from my local garage, and they dont make me register, i think that ur garage is trying to get ur details, hey uve pulled!!
the people behind my garage desk wonder what i use it for, then i just say "Dont worry im not going to burn a house down" and then therye cool
Maybe one day they will ask me? who knows, least i know that they dont fancy me!!
what was that about convertiing it into somthing esle? i drive a diseasl and that stuff could be useful, i sometimes use oil from fryer! thats cheap, smokes abit but dont all diseals!!
Frodo
i buy about 12 litres a week of parrafin from my local garage, and they dont make me register, i think that ur garage is trying to get ur details, hey uve pulled!!
the people behind my garage desk wonder what i use it for, then i just say "Dont worry im not going to burn a house down" and then therye cool
Maybe one day they will ask me? who knows, least i know that they dont fancy me!!
what was that about convertiing it into somthing esle? i drive a diseasl and that stuff could be useful, i sometimes use oil from fryer! thats cheap, smokes abit but dont all diseals!!
Frodo
passing through, this world still lives.
BRONZE Member
member
67 posts
Location: Nottingham, UK
member
67 posts
Location: Nottingham, UK
Posted:
Well, thanks for all the info everyone - I will keep looking in garages in my area.....
As for lamp oil, I'm rather confused as to the relation this has to kerosene/paraffin. If it's the same thing I do wish they'd stop giving it different names just to confuse us. It's got two already, and three is just getting silly!
On the lamp oil front, I found this:
https://www.coventgardencandles.co.uk/acatalog/6.html
and they actually state that the clear lamp oil they are selling is non-toxic. Can I believe them?!? Unfortunately it's £21.60 ex vat for 12 litres, so rather expensive, but I have hopes that if I keep looking I might find somewhere that sells the same stuff cheaper.
And so, the search for safe fuel continues.....
Just a thought, but has anyone considered lobbying their local MP to try and get access to aviation kerosene for the public, or at least for firebreathers. They're putting our health at risk by denying us access to it (okay, well, we're putting our health at risk by firebreathing, but that's our business!).... I imagine when they brought in rules about yellow Euromarkers, etc, they weren't thinking about us poor firebreathers.
hugs,
m
Well, thanks for all the info everyone - I will keep looking in garages in my area.....
As for lamp oil, I'm rather confused as to the relation this has to kerosene/paraffin. If it's the same thing I do wish they'd stop giving it different names just to confuse us. It's got two already, and three is just getting silly!
On the lamp oil front, I found this:
https://www.coventgardencandles.co.uk/acatalog/6.html
and they actually state that the clear lamp oil they are selling is non-toxic. Can I believe them?!? Unfortunately it's £21.60 ex vat for 12 litres, so rather expensive, but I have hopes that if I keep looking I might find somewhere that sells the same stuff cheaper.
And so, the search for safe fuel continues.....
Just a thought, but has anyone considered lobbying their local MP to try and get access to aviation kerosene for the public, or at least for firebreathers. They're putting our health at risk by denying us access to it (okay, well, we're putting our health at risk by firebreathing, but that's our business!).... I imagine when they brought in rules about yellow Euromarkers, etc, they weren't thinking about us poor firebreathers.
hugs,
m
"Come to the edge", he said. They said "We are afraid."
"Come to the edge", he said. They came.
He pushed them..... and they flew.
- Apollinaire
BRONZE Member
member
67 posts
Location: Nottingham, UK
member
67 posts
Location: Nottingham, UK
Posted:
This is a slightly different topic to the main point of this thread, but is still on firebreathing fuels. In my searches of the internet for appropriate fuels, I came across this:
Colourflame oils
They sell oil which burns with a coloured flame, which is non-toxic (made from vegetable oil). I'm guessing this would probably burn with a much smaller flame than kerosene, but it might be worth it for a coloured flame? Does anyone who knows more about these things than me have any comments to make on how suitable these oils are likely to be?
hugs,
m
This is a slightly different topic to the main point of this thread, but is still on firebreathing fuels. In my searches of the internet for appropriate fuels, I came across this:
Colourflame oils
They sell oil which burns with a coloured flame, which is non-toxic (made from vegetable oil). I'm guessing this would probably burn with a much smaller flame than kerosene, but it might be worth it for a coloured flame? Does anyone who knows more about these things than me have any comments to make on how suitable these oils are likely to be?
hugs,
m
"Come to the edge", he said. They said "We are afraid."
"Come to the edge", he said. They came.
He pushed them..... and they flew.
- Apollinaire
BRONZE Member
old hand
1,031 posts
Location: Bath, England
old hand
1,031 posts
Location: Bath, England
Posted:
The garage near me is a little garage just outside Bath. They recon they used to sell loads for heaters when people used paraffin burners for their greenhouses etc. Now they dont sell nearly as much so that is why a lot of the bigger garages just sell the pre packaged stuff.
As for the breathing with coloured fuels let us know how you get on, I have played with coloured flames with my toys but the chemicals I have have been far too toxic for me to attempt to breathe.
If you have difficulties breathing with the oils that you have researched then try leaving the bottle of fuel in a bucket of hot water for a while, this will help reduce the viscosity of the fuel and therefore make it easier to aspirate.
Good Luck and take care
Mark x
The garage near me is a little garage just outside Bath. They recon they used to sell loads for heaters when people used paraffin burners for their greenhouses etc. Now they dont sell nearly as much so that is why a lot of the bigger garages just sell the pre packaged stuff.
As for the breathing with coloured fuels let us know how you get on, I have played with coloured flames with my toys but the chemicals I have have been far too toxic for me to attempt to breathe.
If you have difficulties breathing with the oils that you have researched then try leaving the bottle of fuel in a bucket of hot water for a while, this will help reduce the viscosity of the fuel and therefore make it easier to aspirate.
Good Luck and take care
Mark x
GOLD Member
Carpal \'Tunnel
2,617 posts
Location: Berlin, Ireland
Carpal \'Tunnel
2,617 posts
Location: Berlin, Ireland
Posted:
That oil looks like a great find. Non toxic, no alcohol....impressive....
That oil looks like a great find. Non toxic, no alcohol....impressive....
I live in a world of infinite possibilities.
BRONZE Member
member
67 posts
Location: Nottingham, UK
member
67 posts
Location: Nottingham, UK
Posted:
Well, perhaps, perhaps not. I have since discovered that some people use "non-toxic" to mean "non-toxic unless taken internally", which is rather unhelpful! I imagine lots of highly poisonous substances won't affect you if you don't eat them! Although this may not be the case here.... I've e-mailed them to ask further details. They do say on their website that they're out of the oil at the moment, however searches for "colorflame" or "colored flame" (note the american spelling of both) bring up a number of similar products for anyone who is interested. As yet I've not found any stockists in the UK, though, although someone might ship me some. If I ever get hold of any I'll let everyone know how I get on with them.....
hugs,
m
Quote:
That oil looks like a great find. Non toxic, no alcohol....impressive....
Well, perhaps, perhaps not. I have since discovered that some people use "non-toxic" to mean "non-toxic unless taken internally", which is rather unhelpful! I imagine lots of highly poisonous substances won't affect you if you don't eat them! Although this may not be the case here.... I've e-mailed them to ask further details. They do say on their website that they're out of the oil at the moment, however searches for "colorflame" or "colored flame" (note the american spelling of both) bring up a number of similar products for anyone who is interested. As yet I've not found any stockists in the UK, though, although someone might ship me some. If I ever get hold of any I'll let everyone know how I get on with them.....
hugs,
m
"Come to the edge", he said. They said "We are afraid."
"Come to the edge", he said. They came.
He pushed them..... and they flew.
- Apollinaire
BRONZE Member
Irish
525 posts
Location: Dallas.........ish, USA
Irish
525 posts
Location: Dallas.........ish, USA
Posted:
.....i blow w\ultra pure lamp oil
there isnt a petroleum distillate out there thats non toxic when taken orally, it gets absorbed into your bloodstream first from your mouth, then on down, petrol poisoning isnt fun, trust me
anyways they cant say non-toxic....i think it means its safer, not 100% non toxic, ultra pure is basically liquid chapstick, but it will still kill you if you get too much.
.....i blow w\ultra pure lamp oil
there isnt a petroleum distillate out there thats non toxic when taken orally, it gets absorbed into your bloodstream first from your mouth, then on down, petrol poisoning isnt fun, trust me
anyways they cant say non-toxic....i think it means its safer, not 100% non toxic, ultra pure is basically liquid chapstick, but it will still kill you if you get too much.
Jesus saves sinners and redeems them for cash and
prizes
Co-Founder of Keepers of Light
Educate yourself about the Hazards of Fire Breathing STAY SAFE!
BRONZE Member
old hand
1,092 posts
Location: In a van, United Kingdom
old hand
1,092 posts
Location: In a van, United Kingdom
Posted:
im scared now, but the coloured flame stuff sounds good!! if you need someone to go 50 50 with to import it then give me a call, i am sure that my student funding can justify 50 gallons of oil, and the storage!! argh
im scared now, but the coloured flame stuff sounds good!! if you need someone to go 50 50 with to import it then give me a call, i am sure that my student funding can justify 50 gallons of oil, and the storage!! argh
passing through, this world still lives.
BRONZE Member
member
67 posts
Location: Nottingham, UK
member
67 posts
Location: Nottingham, UK
Posted:
Well, so far I've had no replies what so ever to my enquirys from people selling it, but if they ever get back to me and I decide to get hold of some I'll let you know!
Mean while I shall continue looking for a purer source of paraffin, or a cheaper source of lamp oil!
Thanks again for your help everyone
m
Well, so far I've had no replies what so ever to my enquirys from people selling it, but if they ever get back to me and I decide to get hold of some I'll let you know!
Mean while I shall continue looking for a purer source of paraffin, or a cheaper source of lamp oil!
Thanks again for your help everyone
m
"Come to the edge", he said. They said "We are afraid."
"Come to the edge", he said. They came.
He pushed them..... and they flew.
- Apollinaire
BRONZE Member
Irish
525 posts
Location: Dallas.........ish, USA
Irish
525 posts
Location: Dallas.........ish, USA
Posted:
you cant import combustables by air
its against some code that theyve got
you cant import combustables by air
its against some code that theyve got
Jesus saves sinners and redeems them for cash and
prizes
Co-Founder of Keepers of Light
Educate yourself about the Hazards of Fire Breathing STAY SAFE!
member
36 posts
36 posts
Posted:
I'm not sure where this myth came from, but aviation grade kero is known as Jet-A, Jet-A1 or JP-8 which is the US military designation for Jet-A1. Jet-A is the most common and has fewer additives than Jet-A1. Jet-A is available by the gallon for about $2 a gallon at any airport that has self-service fuel.
This is not to say that I believe that aviation grade kerosene is the best fuel for breathing. I'd recommend reading the MSDS for any fuel one uses. I would certainly have second thoughts about using Jet-A1 as I believe some of the additives in it are toxic. Jet-A1 is all that is available at the poster's airport in Nottingham, UK and I believe is more common Europe on the whole.
Quote:
be very very careful on your choice of fuel, aviation grade kero is supposed to be the best to blow with but you can only get it by the barrell, and i doubt you could get some from the RAF
I'm not sure where this myth came from, but aviation grade kero is known as Jet-A, Jet-A1 or JP-8 which is the US military designation for Jet-A1. Jet-A is the most common and has fewer additives than Jet-A1. Jet-A is available by the gallon for about $2 a gallon at any airport that has self-service fuel.
This is not to say that I believe that aviation grade kerosene is the best fuel for breathing. I'd recommend reading the MSDS for any fuel one uses. I would certainly have second thoughts about using Jet-A1 as I believe some of the additives in it are toxic. Jet-A1 is all that is available at the poster's airport in Nottingham, UK and I believe is more common Europe on the whole.
BRONZE Member
member
67 posts
Location: Nottingham, UK
member
67 posts
Location: Nottingham, UK
Posted:
Does anybody else ever feel like someone, somewhere, is organising these things just to spite us?!?
Quote:
you cant import combustables by air
its against some code that theyve got
Does anybody else ever feel like someone, somewhere, is organising these things just to spite us?!?
"Come to the edge", he said. They said "We are afraid."
"Come to the edge", he said. They came.
He pushed them..... and they flew.
- Apollinaire
BRONZE Member
old hand
1,092 posts
Location: In a van, United Kingdom
old hand
1,092 posts
Location: In a van, United Kingdom
Posted:
toattly, the bastards!!
toattly, the bastards!!
passing through, this world still lives.
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