I'm not suggesting to do so, and I can't recall which pre or post war mfg. it was, but I recently spotted instruction for using mineral oil as smoke fluid in some old literature. I think it was A.F..
I keep unscented pharmaceutical grade mineral oil for my old wood floors, cutting boards, knife handles, and wooden spoons, but have not experimented on any of my old beaters yet. (it nourishes the wood after a trip in the dishwasher's chlorine, restoring color, and helps food from sticking while in use too)
Some tiny battery op toy trains and toyish G scale warned against mineral oil and smoke fluids, but called for a mixture of common vegetable oil and distilled water instead. (I can't recall the ratio, mostly water though) To my surprise it worked very well and only smelled like fries with a dirrect wiff of the stack. The elements were a single thin thread of nicrome 1/4-1/2" long in a well. The tiny ones used 1.5v (AA)
If you must experiment, maybe try those.
