Kerosene vs. Turpentine — What's the Difference?

Liquid fuel for jet engines.

Natural solvent for organic materials.

Distillate of petroleum used as fuel.

Liquid for cleaning brushes.

Alternative to electricity in remote areas.

Distillate with a pine-like odor.

Common in household lamps and heaters.

Turpentine (which is also called gum turpentine, spirit of turpentine, oil of turpentine, wood turpentine, terebenthene, terebinthine and (colloquially), turps) is a fluid obtained by the distillation of resin harvested from living trees, mainly pines. Mainly used as a specialized solvent, it is also a source of material for organic syntheses.

A flammable hydrocarbon fuel.

A volatile pungent oil distilled from gum turpentine or pine wood, used in mixing paints and varnishes and in liniment.

Kerosene is a combustible hydrocarbon liquid which is derived from petroleum. It is widely used as a fuel in aviation as well as households.

Any of a number of trees which yield turpentine or a similar resin.

A thin oil distilled from petroleum or shale oil, used as a fuel for heating and cooking, in lamps, and as a denaturant for alcohol. Also called coal oil.

Apply turpentine to

A thin colorless to straw-colored petroleum-based fuel heavier than gasoline/petrol or naptha but lighter than diesel, used primarily as jet fuel but also for heating and lighting in some remote or impoverished areas.

A thin volatile terpenoid essential oil, C10H16, obtained by steam distillation or other means from the wood or exudate of certain pine trees and used as a paint thinner, solvent, and medicinally as a liniment. Also called oil of turpentine, spirit of turpentine.

An oil used for illuminating purposes, formerly obtained from the distillation of mineral wax, bituminous shale, etc., and hence called also coal oil. It is now produced in immense quantities, chiefly by the distillation and purification of petroleum. It consists chiefly of several hydrocarbons of the methane series, having from 10 to 16 carbon atoms in each molecule, and having a higher boiling point (175 - 325° C) than gasoline or the petroleum ethers, and a lower boling point than the oils.

The sticky mixture of resin and volatile oil from which turpentine is distilled.

A flammable hydrocarbon oil used as fuel in lamps and heaters

A brownish-yellow resinous liquid obtained from the terebinth.

To apply turpentine to or mix turpentine with.

To extract turpentine from (a tree).

Any oleoresin secreted by the wood or bark of certain trees.

A volatile essential oil now obtained from such oleoresin of from the wood of pine trees by steam distillation; a complex mixture of monoterpenes; now used as a solvent and paint thinner.

(transitive) To drain resin from (a tree) for use in making turpentine.

A semifluid or fluid oleoresin, primarily the exudation of the terebinth, or turpentine, tree (Pistacia Terebinthus), a native of the Mediterranean region. It is also obtained from many coniferous trees, especially species of pine, larch, and fir.

Obtained from conifers (especially pines)

Volatile liquid distilled from turpentine oleoresin; used as paint thinner and solvent and medicinally

Solvent derived from pine resin.

Component in varnishes and paints.

Yes, turpentine is toxic and should be used with caution, avoiding ingestion or prolonged skin contact.

It's not advisable; turpentine production involves distilling pine resin, which requires specific equipment and safety measures.

Typically, cars run on gasoline, not kerosene. However, some engines can be modified.

The odor arises from the hydrocarbons and sulfur compounds present in it.

While possible, it's not always advisable due to varying combustion properties.

Kerosene is produced through the refining of crude oil.

While kerosene heaters are used indoors, they should be used with proper ventilation to avoid dangerous fumes.

While natural, turpentine can be harmful if released in large quantities into the environment.

Turpentine is primarily used as a solvent for paints and varnishes.

Kerosene is a refined petroleum product, making it synthetic.

Stored properly, kerosene can last for several years but might require filtration before use.

While flammable, turpentine is not commonly used as fuel; it's primarily a solvent.

While both are solvents, turpentine is natural, derived from pine, whereas white spirit is a petroleum distillate.

Yes, mineral spirits or other solvents can sometimes be used in place of turpentine.