Fragrance Lamp Components
Fragrance Lamp Oil
The fragrance lamp oil is the most important part of the process. The fuel is fragrance oil suspended in an isopropyl alcohol base. This fragrance lamp fuel is the base of the catalytic process which effuses the fragrance into the air.
Wick Assembly
The wick assembly is the most important component of the fragrance lamp. The wick assembly consists of three parts.
1) Stone - The stone is made of a porous, ceramic material which allows it to soak up the fragrance fuel from the wick.
2) Wick - The wick is typically made of cotton and draws fuel from the chamber to the wick.
3) Metal Collar - The metal color connects the stone and wick plus allows the assembly to rest on top of the chamber.
Chamber
The chamber simply holds the fragrance fuel to allow the wick can draw the fuel to the stone.
Snuffing Cap
The snuffing cap is used to safety stop the fragrance process and it prevents fuel from evaporating out of the chamber when not in use.
Decorative Cap
The decorative cap provides decorative accent and function. The cap reduces the likeliness of someone touching the stone while burning.
Funnel
A small funnel will come with a fragrance lamp. The funnel makes it easier to pour the fuel into the fragrance lamp.
Accessories
The most common accessories for fragrance lamps are decorative plates which are placed underneath the lamp. The plates are used to catch excess fuel which may be spilled when filling the lamp. The plates also provide a decorative accent.
How do Fragrance Lamps work?
The lamp releases fragrance while eliminating odors without a continuous flame. The fragrance burns at about one ounce per hour for a full sized lamp, so it is very economical to use each day.
The major component of the fragrance lamp is the wick assembly. A cotton wick is permanently attached to the stone. The wick draws the fragrance fuel from the chamber up to the stone. The stone is made of a porous material which allows it to absorb the fragrance fuel.
The stone must initially be lit for 3-4 minutes. While the stone is lit, the temperature is approximately the same as an open candle flame which is 1500 degrees. After 3-4, minutes you will extinguish the flame and the catalytic process is active. The temperature of the stone will now drop to about 500 degrees and the fragrance will be effused into the air as the process continues. The temperature ¼ of an inch from the stone is about 290 degrees and the temperature of the decorative cap is about 130 degrees.