Parafin

[Cockney_si]

As a child we used to have parafin heaters as Calor gas wasn't allowed.

Does anyone know where you can get parafin nowadays as I haven't seen it for ages?

[theonlyone]

They sell it in our local garage, it's prepac and costs nearly �5 for 4.5 litres .

[buildersmate]

I believe paraffin to be the generic name for alkanes, and the nearest equivalent easily available is domestic kerosene or domestic fuel oil. Bought in bulk this is currently about 42p per litre.

[sddsddean]

I remember the old Esso Blue and Pink Parrafin machines that used to be at garages. Put your container under the spout and put in a couple of shillings and presto..a pint/gallon (Can't remember) of parafin. Haven't seen one of those machines for years. Health and safety I suppose!!

[buildersmate]

No. Domestic central heating / creature comforts, more like.

[sddsddean]

Hmmm, suppose you're right BM.

[Buenchico]

If they stopped selling paraffin, there would be a lot of very annoyed gardeners ;-)
Paraffin heaters are still widely used as one of the most efficient ways of heating greenhouses. You can still buy paraffin at a few garages but it's mainly traditional hardware stores (and some garden centres) which stock it.

Paraffin heaters for home heating were never well-liked by those that used them. They offered relatively cheap heating but at the expense of a horrid smell (which permeated your clothing) and high humidity (which resulted in small floods, from condensation, underneath windows).

As a child, I survived several winters in a home heated by a single paraffin heater (because the poorly-designed coal fire flue simply sent all of the smoke back into the living room). For a short while afterwards, we had a Calor gas heater but, thank heavens, my father finally got promoted and we could afford a single 2-bar electric heater.

Chris

[Twenty20]

God yes, blue and pink paraffin, I remember that! What was the difference? I cant even remember which we used to buy for some dodgy paraffin heater my parents had in the hallway.

You can buy paraffin at some petrol stations. Dont know if it comes in colours these days!

[SlackAlice]

Try B&Q's Gardening section, near greenhouse htrs