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Spirit Lamp

A spirit lamp — also called an alcohol lamp or alcohol burner — is a small, portable laboratory burner with a fuel reservoir and a cotton wick. It burns an alcohol-based fuel such as methylated spirit to give a clean, low-soot flame, and is commonly used in school and educational laboratories for gently heating test tubes, for certain flame-test procedures, and for sterilising loops and spatulas where no gas supply is available.

- Construction: laboratory-grade body with a fitted cap and cotton wick

Reservoir: compact, standard lab-use capacity
Fuel: designed for compatible alcohol-based fuel such as methylated spirit or denatured alcohol, subject to the product instructions and your laboratory’s safety procedures
Flame: clean and low-soot — suitable for gentle heating and certain flame-test procedures
Best for: school and college chemistry and biology practicals, and field kits
Also available: brass spirit lamp

Manufactured and supplied by SamTech Labs, Ambala. Bulk and institutional orders welcome.

Original price was: ₹100.Current price is: ₹45. (Exc. GST)

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Description

Spirit Lamp for Chemistry Lab — Parts, Uses, Fuel & Safety

A spirit lamp is a small, portable laboratory burner consisting of a fuel reservoir, a cotton wick and a fitted cap. Also known as an alcohol lamp or alcohol burner, it burns an alcohol-based fuel to produce a clean, low-soot flame. It is commonly used in school and educational laboratories to warm small quantities of liquid, to sterilise instruments and for certain flame-test procedures. Because it needs no gas line it stays portable, but its flame is far cooler and far less adjustable than that of a Bunsen burner.

Parts of a Spirit Lamp

Spirit lamp parts and their functions
Part	Function
Cap	Extinguishes the flame by cutting off the oxygen supply, and helps reduce evaporation of the fuel during storage.
Wick	A cotton thread that draws fuel upward by capillary action and supports combustion at its tip. The exposed tip will char over time, particularly if the lamp is run with a low fuel level.
Wick holder	A collar that positions the wick and limits the length exposed above the reservoir.
Reservoir	Holds the fuel. Fill only to the level stated in the product instructions, never to the brim.
Base	Supports the lamp on the bench. Always place the lamp on a flat, stable surface clear of clutter.

What Fuel Is Used in a Spirit Lamp?

A spirit lamp is designed for a compatible alcohol-based fuel — most commonly methylated spirit, also sold as denatured alcohol. Always follow the fuel specified in the product instructions and your laboratory’s safety procedures.

- Typical fuel: methylated spirit or denatured alcohol, as specified by the product instructions
- Never use: petrol, kerosene, diesel or any other petroleum fuel — these produce heavy soot, an uncontrollable flame and hazardous fumes

- Fill level: fill only to the level stated in the product instructions, leaving an air space above the liquid

Wick condition: inspect the wick regularly; a heavily charred tip will not hold a steady flame

Uses of a Spirit Lamp in the Laboratory

Gentle heating — warming solutions in a test tube held with a test tube holder, or evaporating liquid in a china dish.
Flame tests — the low-soot flame makes the lamp suitable for certain flame-test procedures, in which metal salts are introduced on a platinum loop and identified by the colour produced.
Sterilisation — flaming inoculation loops, spatulas and needle tips before microbiological transfers.
Bench heating — used with a tripod stand and wire gauze to spread heat evenly beneath a beaker.
Glass working — softening narrow glass tubing for bending.

How to Use a Spirit Lamp Safely

1. Open the lamp. Remove the cap and lift out the wick holder assembly.
2. Fill. Add the specified fuel to the level given in the product instructions. Refit the wick holder and wipe any spilled fuel from the outside of the lamp before lighting.
3. Prime the wick. Allow a short time for the cotton to draw fuel upward.
4. Light. Use a long match or a lighter held to the side of the wick, never directly above it.

Check the flame. Confirm a steady flame before bringing any apparatus near it.
Extinguish. Replace the cap to smother the flame. Never blow it out — this can scatter burning fuel.
Cool before refuelling. Wait until the lamp is cold to the touch.

Safety: never refuel a lit or warm lamp; keep hair, sleeves and flammable reagents well clear of the flame; never leave a burning lamp unattended; and remember that an alcohol flame can be very difficult to see in bright light. Follow your institution’s laboratory safety procedures at all times. See our laboratory safety chart.

Spirit Lamp vs Bunsen Burner

Comparison of a spirit lamp and a Bunsen burner
Feature	Spirit lamp	Bunsen burner
Fuel	Liquid alcohol fuel, drawn up a wick	LPG or natural gas, piped
Relative flame temperature	Considerably cooler	Considerably hotter
Gas line required	No — fully portable	Yes
Flame control	Limited	Precise — air collar and gas tap
Typical use	Gentle heating, sterilising, certain flame tests, fieldwork	Strong heating, combustion, ignition

Laboratories with a piped gas supply should pair this lamp with a Bunsen burner with stop cock for high-temperature work.

Specifications

Product	Spirit lamp (alcohol lamp / alcohol burner)
Body material	To be confirmed against SKU
Reservoir capacity	To be confirmed against SKU
Wick	Cotton wick with holder
Cap	Fitted cap; extinguishes the flame and helps reduce evaporation during storage
Fuel	Compatible alcohol-based fuel such as methylated spirit or denatured alcohol, per product instructions
Suitable for	CBSE, ICSE, state board and college chemistry & biology laboratories
Variants	Also available as a brass spirit lamp
Manufacturer	SamTech Labs, Ambala, India

Frequently Asked Questions

What is a spirit lamp?

A spirit lamp is a small laboratory burner with a fuel reservoir and a cotton wick that burns an alcohol-based fuel to produce a clean, low-soot flame. It is also called an alcohol lamp or an alcohol burner.

Which spirit is used in a spirit lamp?

Methylated spirit, also sold as denatured alcohol, is the fuel most commonly used. Always follow the fuel specified in the product instructions. Petroleum fuels such as petrol or kerosene must never be used.

What is a spirit lamp used for?

Gently heating test tubes and small quantities of liquid, sterilising inoculation loops and spatulas, softening glass tubing, and certain flame-test procedures for identifying metal ions.

How do you put out a spirit lamp?

Place the cap over the wick to cut off the oxygen supply. Never blow the flame out, as this can scatter burning fuel.

How is a spirit lamp different from a Bunsen burner?

A spirit lamp burns liquid alcohol drawn up a wick and needs no gas line, but its flame is considerably cooler and much less adjustable. A Bunsen burner requires piped gas and gives precise control over a far hotter flame.

Why is the flame of a spirit lamp hard to see?

Burning alcohol produces very little soot, so the flame is pale and can be difficult to see in bright light. Always treat a filled, uncapped lamp as though it may be lit.