THE KERO TIN

The kero (kerosene) tin has been part of Australian social history from the mid 19th century, when kerosene lamps lit up the country.

The empty fuel containers proved even more useful than the lamps themselves. This old photo, circa 1900, shows a Chinese miner outside his hut. It is roofed with kero tin ‘shingles’. In the doorway is a kerosine tin fitted with a wire handle for use as a bucket.

Only war forced a change. In 1918 there was a proclamation regarding the iconic kero tin that made many Aussie hearts sink;

As a result of the lack of tin plate in Australia, a War Precautions regulation has been issued, providing that no persons shall, without the consent of the Minister for Defence, cut up, or destroy, or pierce the side or bottom of any tin made to contain kerosene, petrol, benzine, or other petroleum. Every empty tin of this kind shall, on demand by a duly authorised person, and on obtaining the fixed price, deliver it up. (Brisbane Courier, Jun 28 1918)

Fortunately the order was rescinded early in 1919. Once again the kero tin could be recycled by ordinary people in whichever way they wished.

THE KERO TIN IN DIFFICULT TIMES

During the years of the Great Depression the tins became the subject of even greater ingenuity, particularly in the bush. The following photo shows two being used as tubs over a campfire, for the weekly wash.

I wonder whether the woman prepared her wash tubs in the correct manner? ‘It is used for the weekly wash, and will not rust if first rubbed with lard and then well heated.’ (Examiner, Aug 14 1926)

Beaten flat, kero tins could even be used to make an entire house, walls’n’all. Oh my word, imagine the heat in summer. 😨

Inside, they could be used for shelving, or to make a rustic kitchen cabinet.

Many unemployed men took to the road, and with them went…. kerosene tins.

I so loved this piece on the dimensions of the kero tin and its myriad of uses. It was published in the Barrier Miner on July 4 1931;

‘As a measure it holds 30lb of wheat, 28lb of maize or potatoes, 25lb of barley or 10lb of bran. Roughly it forms a half-bushel measure, and holds 4 gallons of liquid when holes are allowed for the handle.

In many bush homes the Christmas dinner is cooked in it, and it can be used as an ice chest when dropped down the well at the end of a rope. Cut about 3in. from the bottom it is a cake dish; halved lengthways it becomes a useful baking dish for meat or bread, or a tray for drying or striking seeds, safe from the reach of the ants. With a slit in the side and the flap turned out it makes a good letter box, or, filled with concrete piers (that are white-ant proof) for the homestead. Cut diagonally along its length it provides two hanging shelves; halved across it is a dog’s dish or a water trough for the fowls. With the aid of a regulated spirit lamp an incubator can be made. ‘

And finally…….‘If you like music. you can make a one-string fiddle out of it.‘

ONE FOR THE KIDDIES – 1942

The piece does conjure the image of a youngster ‘putting the boot in’ when the frustrations of long division became too much. 🤬

FOR INFORMATION ON KEROSENE ITSELF, CLICK HERE.