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Candle Lanterns - who uses 'em
- Thread starter kgd
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Codger_64
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I just went to the EMS site to check it out.
http://www.ems.com/catalog/product_...60709&bmUID=1190590601583&emssrclnk=crosssell
Not a whole lot of info there, but I did find a review on another site:
http://www.backpackgeartest.org/rev...Candle Lantern/Owner Review by Daniel A Reed/
In it, the reviewer mentions that the enclosed instruction sheet list some accessories available seperately. The top reflector you show is not mentioned on the EMS site or by the reviewer, but he mentions using foil to make it a better reading light.
I first used a candle lantern way back in nineteen hundred and seventy or so. Over the years it disappeared, but I do remember it being very useful and safe if used with some forethought. It will heat a tent more than one might imagine. At ten below zero, I could climb out of my bag and change clothes without anything important falling off, and my breath barely fogged the air in the tent. I am pretty sure it raised the temp to at least just above freezing after thirty minutes or so. I need to get one and get reacquainted with them. That EMS unit looks much improved over the one I had. ANd surely better than the ones I've seen recently at Wah-Maht.
Any more details or impressions? Problems? Just over 1/2 pound (American, not British) weight and about twenty dollars (again, American not Canadian), then about three bucks for three replacement candles, 27 hours burn time.
Codger:thumbup:
http://www.ems.com/catalog/product_...60709&bmUID=1190590601583&emssrclnk=crosssell
Not a whole lot of info there, but I did find a review on another site:
http://www.backpackgeartest.org/rev...Candle Lantern/Owner Review by Daniel A Reed/
In it, the reviewer mentions that the enclosed instruction sheet list some accessories available seperately. The top reflector you show is not mentioned on the EMS site or by the reviewer, but he mentions using foil to make it a better reading light.
I first used a candle lantern way back in nineteen hundred and seventy or so. Over the years it disappeared, but I do remember it being very useful and safe if used with some forethought. It will heat a tent more than one might imagine. At ten below zero, I could climb out of my bag and change clothes without anything important falling off, and my breath barely fogged the air in the tent. I am pretty sure it raised the temp to at least just above freezing after thirty minutes or so. I need to get one and get reacquainted with them. That EMS unit looks much improved over the one I had. ANd surely better than the ones I've seen recently at Wah-Maht.
Any more details or impressions? Problems? Just over 1/2 pound (American, not British) weight and about twenty dollars (again, American not Canadian), then about three bucks for three replacement candles, 27 hours burn time.
Codger:thumbup:
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I used to carry around a candle lantern - now it sits in a drawer in my dining room in case of a power failure. Turns out I get just as much light from a Photon. The Photon is brighter, lasts longer, is far far safer in a tent, and weighs like 1/1000th of my candle lantern. Heck, I usually carry two of the little buggers and a few extra batteries - all for far less weight than the candle lantern's fuzzy padded bag.
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Yeah - you got your points! But your girlfriend ain't letting you get to 3rd base in front of a flashlight. She'll think a cop's shining his in the passenger window
Thanks for your commments everyone. I'm not retiring that candle lantern yet. I'll see what I can do with the tin foil/reflector. Maybe I can finally use that heat reflector that came with my whisper light stove - never had a need for it yet.
Sorry Nemoaz.... I knew that I hadn't explained the bottom-removing process very well.
A 4" nail is a nail that is four inches long. The one I used was a fairly heavy construction nail. It was dropped point first into the bottle. Once the nail is in the bottle you put your thumb over the top and shake it up and down...(like the little green smiley man is doing :jerkit: but the bottle should be held vertically and the movement should be quite quick). Maybe a 5" or 6" nail would be better. Never tried it, but it would stay more vertical in the bottle.
The nail makes a sound every time it hits the bottom. If all goes well, the sound will suddenly change, and maybe next time you shake the bottom will pop right off the bottle quite cleanly.
But it doesn't always happen like that. Sometimes the nail may punch a hole through the glass instead. Sometimes the bottom will break off, but it takes some big jagged slivers from the sides as well.
I had some good results using a heavier bit of pointed steel instead of the nail.
A friend of mine says she does it by warming the bottom of the bottle over a gas flame, then dropping an all stainless steel dining knife into the bottle handle first.
The first bottom I removed was done with a red-hot poker. For a start I filed a small nick into the side of the bottle right near the bottom. I then placed the point of the red-hot poker against the nick. This started a crack. I then made the crack follow the poker by moving the poker around the bottom of the bottle. I had to re-heat the poker several times. And the poker needs to be pushed against the glass to transfer the heat.
I've heard stones being shaken up and down in the bottle can also do the job. More recently a guy told me that by filling the bottle to the top with water (presumably so the water level actually bulges above the top), then smacking your hand down on the top of the bottle may also pop the bottom out hydraulically. I guess you'd have to hold the bottle by the neck with your other hand to do this.
And of course you could use conventional glass cutting technology. I have heard of 'kits' that are sold for cutting up bottles.
Careful of broken glass. And of course any sharp edges on your bottle lantern glass should be rounded off with a hone stone or something.
A 4" nail is a nail that is four inches long. The one I used was a fairly heavy construction nail. It was dropped point first into the bottle. Once the nail is in the bottle you put your thumb over the top and shake it up and down...(like the little green smiley man is doing :jerkit: but the bottle should be held vertically and the movement should be quite quick). Maybe a 5" or 6" nail would be better. Never tried it, but it would stay more vertical in the bottle.
The nail makes a sound every time it hits the bottom. If all goes well, the sound will suddenly change, and maybe next time you shake the bottom will pop right off the bottle quite cleanly.
But it doesn't always happen like that. Sometimes the nail may punch a hole through the glass instead. Sometimes the bottom will break off, but it takes some big jagged slivers from the sides as well.
I had some good results using a heavier bit of pointed steel instead of the nail.
A friend of mine says she does it by warming the bottom of the bottle over a gas flame, then dropping an all stainless steel dining knife into the bottle handle first.
The first bottom I removed was done with a red-hot poker. For a start I filed a small nick into the side of the bottle right near the bottom. I then placed the point of the red-hot poker against the nick. This started a crack. I then made the crack follow the poker by moving the poker around the bottom of the bottle. I had to re-heat the poker several times. And the poker needs to be pushed against the glass to transfer the heat.
I've heard stones being shaken up and down in the bottle can also do the job. More recently a guy told me that by filling the bottle to the top with water (presumably so the water level actually bulges above the top), then smacking your hand down on the top of the bottle may also pop the bottom out hydraulically. I guess you'd have to hold the bottle by the neck with your other hand to do this.
And of course you could use conventional glass cutting technology. I have heard of 'kits' that are sold for cutting up bottles.
Careful of broken glass. And of course any sharp edges on your bottle lantern glass should be rounded off with a hone stone or something.
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This link might point you in the right direction. I bought the reflector at REI many moons ago. It seems they no longer carry it. I use the reflector 95% of the time.
http://candlelantern.com/original.html
They are available at amazon, search UCO Pac-Flat Reflector . I think it would be cost prohibitive unless combining it with a larger order. Hope I was of some help.
http://candlelantern.com/original.html
They are available at amazon, search UCO Pac-Flat Reflector . I think it would be cost prohibitive unless combining it with a larger order. Hope I was of some help.
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i have one similiar to the picture that came from LLbean ,i have not used it in sometime but it does stay in the vehicle,
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I got a lantern almost two years ago in Williamsburg that looks almost identical to this one...
...except that it doesn't have the "X" wires over the glass panes and one side has a tin reflector instead of a plate of glass. It does put off some heat, which is nice when you are sitting outside on a brisk fall evening enjoying some warmed spiced wine.
Oh, I'm sure it's not as durable as some of the ones shown here, and it's probably a bit heavier (because of all the glass, not the tin), but I love it none the less.
...except that it doesn't have the "X" wires over the glass panes and one side has a tin reflector instead of a plate of glass. It does put off some heat, which is nice when you are sitting outside on a brisk fall evening enjoying some warmed spiced wine.
Oh, I'm sure it's not as durable as some of the ones shown here, and it's probably a bit heavier (because of all the glass, not the tin), but I love it none the less.
I'm not bashing candle lanterns. I certainly thought about getting one, but when Target came out with the River Rock K2 LED lantern I went that route instead. Here's why:
The RR K2 LED lantern can be used inside a tent; the candle lantern can't (personal rule).
The RR K2 LED lantern's three AA batteries lasts 36 hours on low; The candle lantern's candle lasts 9 hours.
The RR K2 LED lantern costs about $20; The candle lantern costs about the same.
The RR K2 LED lantern has no glass - durable plastic & metal; The candle lantern has a glass chimney.
The RR K2 LED lantern has a high setting that is really quite bright; The candle lantern doesn't.
The RR K2 LED lantern has a flashing setting; The candle lantern doesn't.
The RR K2 LED lantern on the low setting is still brighter than the candle lantern (personal opinion based on side-by-side comparison).
The advantages of the candle lantern:
It provides some heat - but that does little good outside, and I simply won't take one inside a tent due to the danger.
If stored for a long time you don't have to wonder if the batteries are still good.
The candle can be used as a firestarter if necessary.
There's certainly something romantic about candles!
The RR K2 LED lantern can be used inside a tent; the candle lantern can't (personal rule).
The RR K2 LED lantern's three AA batteries lasts 36 hours on low; The candle lantern's candle lasts 9 hours.
The RR K2 LED lantern costs about $20; The candle lantern costs about the same.
The RR K2 LED lantern has no glass - durable plastic & metal; The candle lantern has a glass chimney.
The RR K2 LED lantern has a high setting that is really quite bright; The candle lantern doesn't.
The RR K2 LED lantern has a flashing setting; The candle lantern doesn't.
The RR K2 LED lantern on the low setting is still brighter than the candle lantern (personal opinion based on side-by-side comparison).
The advantages of the candle lantern:
It provides some heat - but that does little good outside, and I simply won't take one inside a tent due to the danger.
If stored for a long time you don't have to wonder if the batteries are still good.
The candle can be used as a firestarter if necessary.
There's certainly something romantic about candles!
Ken,
Most want the lantern for the heat. Any Led headlamp will do what your target light will do and better.
Granted it can be dangerous in the wrong hands (kids and the dumb) but is very good and raising the internal temp of a tent or good shelter several degrees.
I string mine from the roof and hold my hand at the roof to guage heat, if too hot I string it lower.
Skam
Most want the lantern for the heat. Any Led headlamp will do what your target light will do and better.
Granted it can be dangerous in the wrong hands (kids and the dumb) but is very good and raising the internal temp of a tent or good shelter several degrees.
I string mine from the roof and hold my hand at the roof to guage heat, if too hot I string it lower.
Skam
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not to mention the internal temp of your own body - making tea and drinking it can make all the difference with a sudden onset of hypothermia like falling in a glacial creek. by the time someone else has gathered firewood and managed to start a fire, a person with a candle lantern will already be sipping a piping hot beverage
I have one from REI. I kind of like it, except for the cleaning part.
I used to make them out of a baby food jar, bailing wire, and a votive candle. They worked fine.
I still prefer candle light to LEDs or incandescent bulbs most of the time. Just more aesthetically pleasing to my eye.
I used to make them out of a baby food jar, bailing wire, and a votive candle. They worked fine.
I still prefer candle light to LEDs or incandescent bulbs most of the time. Just more aesthetically pleasing to my eye.
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This brings up an intriguing question, perhaps, how do we optimize a candle lantern for yet another use.
So far the engineering of the commercial product is geared to light - although we all admit it does a mediocre, but aesthetic job of that.
Several mentions of its utility as a tent heater. Yeah, there are some dangers to this. I've always felt pretty confident about the commercial onces as they have a pretty decent heat deflector at the top. Also, hanging the candle lantern from the top of the tent decreases chances of knocking it over if you just had one standing on its own. I will admit to rarely going to sleep with the candle still lit in the tent though.
Akennedy brings up the candle as an alternative stove. The commercial candle lanterns clearly aren't much optimized for this. My guess is that they would actually do a poor job of it as they are meant to hang and are not stable standing up. Also, I'm not sure if I could balance a pot on the small top. I'd probably remove the candle and use its own for such a purpose. I know about the survival cans - but then they forgoe much of the 'light' advantages of the lantern.
Question is - can one convert their candle lantern into a stove and preserve its functionality as a light source and tent heater? Any thoughts on modifications to do so?