Propane & Kerosene In Amish Homes: Is It Safe?
When I do posts and videos showing the insides of Amish homes, often enough you’ll be able to see fuel sources such as propane tanks and kerosene, used for lighting, cooking and other purposes. People frequently wonder whether these sources of heat and light are safe. I asked Ben about this and he gives his answer in the video below.
The types of fuel (and general sources of power for that matter) used in Amish homes can really vary. Propane (liquid propane) as well as natural gas tend to be used in more progressive Amish homes, while plainer Amish use other fuels like kerosene (there is also naphtha and mineral spirits).
Ben distinguishes between propane and kerosene, and also compares the safety of using propane with other everyday activities. Propane has an odor added for easier detection. Ben calls kerosene “much more difficult”, and notes the explosive potential of kerosene when it comes in contact with fire. Sadly accidents do happen, but precautions can be taken to make things as safe as possible.
propane use
I have friends that have houses and cabins in Michigan that have propane for heating and cooking but use electricity for lighting and the refrigerator. I know they put a sulfur smell in it to smell it in the case of a leak recently there were several house’s that blew up from a natural gas leak so no matter what is being used you have to be careful from the fumes or odor. I have friends that use kerosene to heat their garage in the winter but to me it is dangerous.