Lanterns, lamp oil, and kerosene

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phatch

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Oct 3, 1998
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There've been some inexpensive lanterns around that I thought might be interesting for part of a home preparedness kit. I've never used any oil or kerosene lanterns though.

What should you look for. I'm sure the pressurized pump lanterns burn brighter (and cost 10x as much), but are they worth it compared to the ease of use of the plain wick types. The mantles don't appear as durable for preparedness use.

Some burn both kerosene or oil. Seems kerosene burns brighter? Longer?. Can you switch or even mix fuels without problems in the same lantern? Do you have to clean it out, switch wicks between fuel types. If you do have to clean it out, then how?

What fuels store best? Safest? Seems there's some different oil grades too. How bad is the non-odorless oil? How about the citronella lamp oil?

Thanks for any ideas here.

Phil
 
Just out of high school I lived in a rented farm house. When I moved in there was a wood stove in the kitchen. Since I did not have the money to get a decent electric stove I decided to cook with wood for a while. I had a chain saw and an axe so the investment was minimal. I enjoyed it so much that I bought a couple of kerosene lamps designed to hang on the wall fom a local hardware, the kind with a tin type plate reflector behind them. I also picked up two hurricane kero lanterns to use on the front porch as they are largely wind proof. I burned regular kero in them and they provided about 90% of my household lighting for over a year. The main headache is the wicks. You must keep them in good order, trimed and adjusted, or you will get smoke and poor, flickering light. Once I got used to it the chore of keeping them up was minimal but did require an investment of 10 to 15 minutes every couple of days to fill the lamps and trim them. Then there was the way the lamps made black soot unless they were 100% trimed and adjusted properly. I did have to sweep black cob webs down during my weekly cleaning. I tried some different oils for better scent and less smoke but the price was a lot higher compared to the kero they sold at the local store. I look back fondly at those days in my little house. Splitting cook stove wood on a crisp morning or sitting on the front porch with a cold beer while friends played acoustic guitar and banjo to the soft light of yellow kero flames.

Good times!
 
The best lantern to have in my opinion is a coleman multifuel lantern.I ahve had one for years and it has never failed.It burns either white gas or unleaded fuel and is very bright.Keep extra mantels,although I kept one mantel on for almost a year and maybe 10 camping trips.Also a pump up lantern works better in xtreme cold whereas a propane type will freeze up and cease to burn bright.
 
The multi-fuel is a nice one. I'm just thinking about something with a better fuel storage characteristic. The pump-up kerosene uses mantles too and is quite bright.

Thanks for the input.

Anymore from anybody?

Phil
 
Have you looked at Aladdin lamps? 60 cp, kerosene, non pressurized mantle lamps. Quiet, clean and a whole lotta light! They've been around a long time, you can buy new or antique. Many styles and lamp materials, with or without shades.

Here's a couple of places for info on them:
http://www.survivalunlimited.com/aladdinlamp.htm
http://www.aladdinknights.org/

A Google search should turn up plenty of info and places to buy. I found mine on ebay.
 
The alladin's are nice. What about the issue of fuel storage. How's kerosene for storage, or the oil if it's better?

phil
 
Thanks again.

Looks like an alladin or two are worth investing in and maybe a hurricane or three for some outdoor use.
 
I have several lanterns, but my favorite is my old Dietz railroad lantern. The thing is built like a tank and burns real nice. I got it at an antique store for ten bucks, money well spent.
 
The alladin lamps are great. The booster chimney linked above can easily be improvised from a piece of aluminum foil. Get used to tuning in the flame before you have to depend on it. Get the borosilicate chimney and a couple of extra mantles.

A shade is a nice touch to cut down on glare.
 
I've got a coleman duel fuel powerhouse lantern. Works with or without mantles. Good for 14 hours on one tank of fuel.

Burns white fuel or unleaded gasoline.

Bright.
 
phatch said:
The multi-fuel is a nice one. I'm just thinking about something with a better fuel storage characteristic. The pump-up kerosene uses mantles too and is quite bright.

Thanks for the input.

Anymore from anybody?

Phil
Click to expand...

Gasoline treated with Sta-Bil lasts a long time.
 
I like to stick with multi-fuel products. White gas regularly, Stinky Gasoline when necessary, and if your appliance breaks you can still pour the fluid in a firt/sand can stove or use it to light charcoal and/or run your car or generator...
 
also... check on the Ranger Ricks site for instructions on making a Kerosene/liquid parrafin candle.
 
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