Katrina Rosales
Effusion lamps, also known as catalytic lamps, are a popular alternative to candles due to their strong fragrance and clean burn. While the lamp itself must be purchased, you can make the fuel or lamp oil at home with your desired fragrance. To make your own fragrance oil, you will need isopropyl alcohol (not rubbing alcohol) and your choice of essential oils or fragrance oils. The alcohol ensures a clean burn and helps to purify the air, while the oil provides the desired scent. You can experiment with different oils and scents to create your favourite fragrance combination. Once you have chosen your ingredients, simply mix them together in a bottle, shake well, and pour the mixture into your effusion lamp.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Lamp oil | Can be made at home with any desired fragrance |
| Ingredients | Alcohol, fragrance oil, essential oils |
| Tools | Plastic bowl with a lid, funnel, measuring spoon, airtight container |
| Process | Measure liquid ingredients, shake, soak wick and stone in alcohol, fill lamp, replace wick and stone, light wick, blow out, place effusion cap over wick |
| Safety | Do not overfill, do not leave flame unattended, do not refill until stone burner is cool, do not use with oil lamps or lanterns |
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What You'll Learn
Choosing the right alcohol
When making your own effusion lamp fragrance, it is important to choose the right alcohol as a base for your scented oil. The type of alcohol you use will determine the quality of the burn and the scent throw, so it is worth considering your options carefully.
Firstly, it is important to note that you should not use rubbing alcohol as your base. Rubbing alcohol will not burn cleanly and can cause your wick and stone to clog, which will impact the performance of your lamp. Instead, opt for isopropyl alcohol, which is available at most drug stores and is inexpensive. Isopropyl alcohol will burn cleanly, help to purify the air, and ensure that your wick and stone remain in good condition.
When purchasing isopropyl alcohol, you should aim for a high concentration. While 91% isopropyl alcohol is commonly used and readily available, some sources recommend using 99% isopropyl alcohol, also known as \"wick cleaner\", as it will get your lamp to the right temperature faster and ensure the "health" of your wick and stone. This higher concentration of alcohol may be a little more expensive, but it will improve the performance of your lamp and is still relatively inexpensive compared to the cost of pre-made fuel.
Once you have chosen the right alcohol, you will need to mix it with your chosen fragrance oil. The amount of fragrance oil you use will depend on the strength of scent you want to achieve. A good starting point is to add 1/4 teaspoon of fragrance oil to 16 ounces of alcohol, but you can add more oil if you want a stronger scent, up to a maximum of 3/4 teaspoon of oil per 16 ounces of alcohol. It is important to label your bottle with the fragrance name and the amount of oil added, so you can recreate successful combinations in the future.
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Selecting a fragrance oil
The type of fragrance oil you select for your effusion lamp is important. Firstly, you should select a synthetic candle fragrance oil. Soy-based fragrances, for example, tend to smoke more and clog your wick and stone, so it is best to avoid these.
You can select any fragrance oil you like, from lavender to eucalyptus, oakmoss, or any other scent. You can also use essential oils, which are pure natural extracts, but these are usually more expensive.
The amount of fragrance oil you use will depend on the strength of the scent you desire. You can start by adding 1/4 teaspoon of fragrance oil to 16 oz of alcohol. If you are not happy with the strength of the scent, you can add another 1/4 teaspoon of fragrance oil, for a maximum of 1/2 teaspoon. Some scents will burn well with up to 3/4 teaspoon of oil per 16 oz of alcohol.
It is important to label your bottle with the fragrance name and the amount of oil added, so you can recreate the scent if desired. You should also store your fragrance oil in a container with a tightly fitting lid, as the alcohol will evaporate if exposed to air.
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Mixing the oil and alcohol
The first step in making your own effusion lamp fragrance is to gather your ingredients and tools. You will need to purchase isopropyl alcohol, preferably 99% isopropyl alcohol, as this will ensure the health of your lamp's wick and stone. You can also use 91% isopropyl alcohol, which is more readily available and inexpensive. However, keep in mind that soy-based fragrance oils tend to smoke more and clog your wick, so opt for synthetic fragrance oils to avoid this issue. Essential oils, while more expensive, are also an option if you prefer natural extracts.
Next, you will need a measuring spoon, preferably metal as fragrance oils can damage plastic. A small metal funnel is also helpful but not necessary if you have a steady hand. Gather your tools and ingredients in a well-ventilated area and ensure there are no open flames or other ignition sources nearby as alcohol is highly flammable.
Now, you are ready to begin mixing your oil and alcohol. If you are using 91% alcohol, start by adding 1/4 teaspoon of your chosen synthetic fragrance oil to a 16 oz bottle of alcohol. Secure the lid and shake the bottle gently to mix the ingredients. Label the bottle with the fragrance name and the amount of oil added. If you are using 99.9% alcohol, known as wick cleaner, follow the same process but be aware that this type of alcohol has almost no measurable water content.
Once your oil and alcohol are mixed, you can test the fragrance by using a new wick and stone assembly in your lamp. Do not use an oil lamp or lantern. Light the wick and observe the scent throw. If you are happy with the strength of the fragrance, your oil is ready to use. However, if you find the scent too weak, you can adjust by adding more fragrance oil. Return the fuel to the bottle and add another 1/4 teaspoon of oil, for a maximum of 1/2 teaspoon total. Test the stronger fuel in your lamp, and continue adjusting until you achieve your desired scent. Remember, some scents can handle up to 3/4 teaspoon of oil per 16 oz of alcohol.
Finally, store your finished fragrance oil in a container with a tightly fitting lid. Keep it in a cool, dry place to prevent evaporation and always follow the safety instructions when using your effusion lamp.
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Testing the fragrance
Prepare the Testing Environment:
Before you begin, ensure that you are working in a well-ventilated area. Fragrance lamp fuels and the alcohol used to make them are flammable, so it is important to take necessary precautions. Keep the area free from any open flames, lit candles, cigarettes, or other ignition sources.
Assembly for Testing:
For testing purposes, it is recommended to use a Fragrance Lamp Wick & Burner Assembly. This assembly includes a 1/4 teaspoon measuring spoon, preferably made of metal as some fragrance oils can damage plastic, and a small metal funnel, which is helpful but not essential.
Testing Process:
Start by adding your fragrance oil to the alcohol. The general ratio is 1/4 teaspoon of synthetic candle fragrance oil to 16 ounces of 91% isopropyl alcohol. However, you can experiment with different types and amounts of oil to find your preferred scent. Label the bottle with the fragrance name and the amount of oil added.
Once you have prepared your scented fuel, it's time to test it in your effusion lamp. Follow these steps:
- Using the funnel, pour the scented fuel into your lamp until it is half to two-thirds full. Do not overfill the lamp, as it will not function properly.
- Wipe away any fragrance spills from the lamp.
- Insert the wick assembly (burner) into the lamp. It should fit securely into the collar and be fully seated.
- Wait for 20 to 30 minutes before lighting the lamp. This allows the fragrance to saturate the wick and burner. You will know the wick is saturated when it appears darkened or wet.
- Remove the solid metal cap from the wick assembly.
- Light the wick using a match or lighter.
- Allow the flame to burn for 4 to 6 minutes, and then blow it out.
- Place the effusion cap over the wick.
- Let the lamp continue to "burn" in this manner until the fragrance is depleted, which typically takes 12 to 16 hours.
- Once the lamp is empty, replace the effusion cap with the snuffer cap to stop the burning process.
Evaluating the Results:
During the testing process, observe the following:
- Scent Throw: After lighting the lamp, assess the strength of the fragrance. If you are unhappy with the scent throw, you can adjust by adding more fragrance oil to the fuel and repeating the test burn.
- Wick Performance: Observe the wick during the burn. Soy-based fragrances tend to smoke more and clog the wick, so consider using synthetic fragrances to avoid this issue.
- Burn Time: Take note of how long the fragrance lasts. Typically, the lamp should continue to emit fragrance for 12 to 16 hours after the initial lighting.
Safety Precautions:
Always exercise caution when testing and using your effusion lamp:
- Do not leave the flame unattended.
- Ensure the flame is blown out before replacing the vented crown over the burner.
- Avoid allowing the fragrance fuel to run out completely, as this can damage the stone burner over time.
- Regularly replace the wick assembly as per the manufacturer's recommendations, usually every 6 to 12 months.
By following these steps and guidelines, you can effectively test the fragrance of your effusion lamp and make any necessary adjustments to create a pleasant and safe fragrance experience.
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Using and maintaining the lamp
Using your effusion lamp:
- Place the vented crown and solid metal cap beside your effusion lamp to avoid misplacement.
- Use a funnel to pour the fragrance into the lamp. Fill the lamp half to two-thirds full. Do not overfill, as your effusion lamp will not function properly.
- Wipe the lamp carefully to clean any fragrance spills.
- Insert the wick assembly (burner). It should fit into the collar and be fully seated.
- Wait 20 to 30 minutes before lighting to allow the wick to become saturated. (The burner stone will appear darkened or wet when saturated).
- Remove the solid metal cap.
- Light the effusion burner using a match or lighter. (The flame will be 5-6” in height, then settle to 1-2”. When the flame reduces, the burner has reached the proper temperature).
- Take a moment for a short meditation. Do not leave the flame unattended.
- Blow out the flame. Your effusion lamp is now working.
- Once the flame has been blown out, replace the vented crown over the burner. This will protect the burner from being touched.
- Leave the effusion burner open (on) for as long as you require fragrance to be released. It typically takes 30 to 45 minutes to fragrance an average-sized home.
- Do not allow the fragrance fuel to run out completely, as this will damage the stone burner over time.
- To extinguish the burner, replace the solid metal cap. (It will remain hot for about 10 minutes).
- The typical use of an effusion lamp is about 3 hours. The fragrance will linger after you cap your stone.
Maintaining your effusion lamp:
- Do not refill the effusion fragrance until the stone burner is completely cool.
- If you are not using your effusion lamp for an extended period (3-4 weeks or more), remove the wick assembly and any remaining fragrance. Allow all parts to dry completely before storage.
- Place the vented crown and solid metal cap beside your effusion lamp.
- Remove the wick assembly and burner and place it on a protected surface. Use a paper towel to remove excess fragrance.
- Using the funnel supplied, pour any remaining fragrance back into the original bottle. (If you’re planning a fragrance change).
- Using the funnel, pour in your new or favourite effusion fragrance until the lamp is half to two-thirds full. Do not overfill.
- The wick assembly will need to be replaced every 6-12 months, depending on usage.
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Frequently asked questions
You will need a small amount of synthetic candle fragrance oil, strong rubbing alcohol, a plastic bowl with a lid, a second container, a wick and a stone.
Measure the liquid ingredients in the plastic bowl with a lid, attach the lid and shake lightly. Place alcohol into the second container and place the wick and stone in the alcohol to soak for approximately 20 minutes.
Fill the lamp half full with the alcohol mixture. Replace the wick and stone in the lamp. Light the wick and let it burn for 4 to 6 minutes. Blow the wick out and place the effusion cap over the wick. Let the lamp "burn" until the lamp is empty, which will be 12 to 16 hours.
Fragrance Lamp Fuels and the alcohol used to make them are flammable. Work in a well-ventilated area and do not work with alcohol near an open flame, a lit candle or any other ignition source that could ignite the alcohol or fumes.
