Which Oil Burns Longer in a Diya? A Guide by Om Bhakti
When you light a Diya, it represents more than simply providing light to a room. It represents your devotion, knowledge overcoming ignorance, and is the focus of your spiritual practice; however, should your Diya flame extinguish too early, it will take away from your meditation experience. Therefore, Om Bhakti has discovered that devotees want to know how they can achieve both spiritual significance through their diya lighting efforts and practical efficiency at the same time. So Which Oil Burns Longer in a Diya?
Tradition has its place but only offers clarity through use of physical mechanics – hence we look at our ancestor’s way of burning fuels from a science perspective. Through the examination of both the principles of combustion and our ancestors’ experience we should be able to derive which fuel is most appropriate for your use in your oil lamp.
The Science Behind the Flame
We must look at how oil lamps operate to understand how long the fuel will burn (the “burn time”). The function of an oil lamp operates on the principle of “capillary action,” which is what draws the oil up from the reservoir through the wick towards the flame. Once it reaches the flame it vaporizes and catches fire. Burn time is determined by two major scientific factors, which are the viscosity of the oil and the energy density of the fuel that is consumed.
As a result, the “viscosity” of a product is how dense the oils in that product are. The greater the density, the slower an oil will flow, which may cause an extended burning time. However, if the rate of flow does not produce enough fuel for the wick of a candle to support a flame, then that product runs the risk of having a weak flame. On the other hand, “energy density” is the level of heat energy produced per unit of fuel burned. Nevertheless, according to data from the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) on combustion, the majority of animal fat (lard or tallow) and/ or clarified butter, has more energy density than most common vegetable oils. In general, this means that animal fats will produce energy (or heat) at a slower, more consistent rate; which may in return lead to longer burning period than most vegetable oils do.
Comparing Common Oils for Diyas
Cow Ghee (Clarified Butter)
Cow Ghee is considered a pure fuel in Vedic Rituals. Since ghee is solid at room temperature it can only be used if it has melted from the base of the wick from heat radiated from the flame; therefore, this natural mechanism prevents the wick from becoming too wet with fuel. Furthermore, ghee has the longest burning time of any fuel; however, common sense tells you that it is best to use only pure cow ghee – by using puja ghee or cow-ghee that has been mixed with oil you will have a lot of smoke, an uneven flame or both, etc. Ghee may be costly to purchase but its high efficiency makes it acceptable for quick use of prayer to the deity(s).
Sesame oil
Sesame oil is the primary means of lighting for traditional purposes. Additionally, sesame oil has a medium viscosity, allowing for a consistent flow of fuel and preventing the wick from being saturated with fuel. Ayurveda texts indicate that sesame oil promotes balance & grounding effects as well. While not having as high an energy density as ghee, sesame oil burns evenly and provides a reliable, continuous, cost-effective source of light for daily use. It provides the best overall option for those wanting a long-lasting, no-cost alternative to ghee.
Mustard Oil
Mustard Oil is a common oil used in Eastern Traditions. Mustard Oil has a fruity taste and is strong tasting and bright in color but also burns very well (will last all night) due to the oil’s resistance to heat and evaporating quickly. An obvious disadvantage to using mustard oil for your lumin (lamp) is also the overwhelming odour that can fill a small prayer room. At Om Bhakti we suggest if you are using mustard oils for your lumin (lamps) to only use them in a well-ventilated area so that the odour will not get in the way of your meditation.
Coconut Oil
Another advantage of coconut oil is its clean burning ability and therefore it produces very little smoke. In comparison to oils that produce more smoke, coconut oil has a lower viscosity, allowing it to pass through the wick quickly. Such a high flame results from the very large flame created by the evaporation of the oil and will consume your fuel faster than many other oils. Therefore, if your primary concern is indoor air quality and not maximum length of your candle, then coconut oil would be a great choice.
Variables That Affect Burn Time
In addition to selecting an appropriate type of oil, it is also essential to consider outside influences which can affect burn time of your diya.
Thicker cotton wicks will absorb more oil than medium or thinner wicks, producing a larger flame and consuming the oil more quickly. If you desire long-lasting flames, choose medium-thickness wicks. The design of your clay vessel remaining deep and having sides high enough prevents wind from creating flickering flames that will greatly consume your fuel supply. The amount of air moving about the diya contributes to the amount of oxygen available for combustion; increased oxygen will produce greater combustion. To maximize amount of time that your diya will burn, position the diya in an area free of airflow.
Safety and Purity: A Critical Note
Choosing a safe fuel source is just as important as the length of time that fuel will last in your combustion appliance. When impure oils are burned they emit harmful small particles into the living space of the home. In addition, a number of studies performed on indoor air quality in relation to the use of biomass fuel have shown that burning pure fuel results in lower levels of emissions than burning mixed fuels.
Always make certain that the oil is safe to use and fit for food consumption in human beings. If it’s edible, it’s usually safer to burn. Avoid using kerosene or mineral oils in traditional clay diyas, as they can damage the container and produce toxic fumes. At ombhakti.in, we put our devotees’ welfare first and encourage everyone to select pure products rather than cheaper ones.
Conclusion
So, what types of oil tend to produce a longer burn time when burned in a diya? Moo cow ghee has the longest burn time out of all commonly available oils because it has a great deal of energy density and a slow to moderate melting speed. The next best choice for you from an everyday use standpoint would be sesame oil. Although mustard seed oil offers long-burning times currently lacking in any kind of neutrality when it comes to scent, coconut oil is not very quick-burning but is strictly for cleanliness.
Ultimately, the best kind of oil will depend on what kind of use you plan to put it to. Ghee is best for long term use – per the definition of longevity as being time-based. If you require a balanced oil, then sesame is your most logical choice. When you know the science behind combustion, used with the knowledge of traditional rules, you will have a beautiful diya that is safe and bright. To learn more about alternate spiritual practices and how to use oil safely, check out Om Bhakti at www.ombhakti.in.Fields: Gentle-comforting, Spiritual Development, Cultural Awareness, Wellness.
