Paraffin lamps for a lamp newbie

[Chris]

Now that the winter nights are rolling in and there’s plentiful dark, I’d like to give a paraffin lamp a go as a light source when out camping.

Would anyone be able to recommend me a good one to get started with, and any tips I’ll find useful to prevent accidental self immolation?

Cheers!

 

[William_Montgomery]

Feuerhand lanterns are pretty good. Simple to use and sturdy. Adjustable flame and provide a really nice light.
But, they are the only ones I've used, so not much to compare them to.

https://www.thebushcraftstore.co.uk...iginal-german-lantern-and-the-best-3779-p.asp

 

[Glow_worm]

Cleaner burning than cheap Chinese versions, too. They will extinguish if knocked over, unlike in films...

 

[Broch]

Now that the winter nights are rolling in and there’s plentiful dark, I’d like to give a paraffin lamp a go as a light source when out camping.

Would anyone be able to recommend me a good one to get started with, and any tips I’ll find useful to prevent accidental self immolation?

Cheers!

I hope you are prepared for this; we have a few members that are on medication for their lamp affliction

 

[Laurentius]

Having used both cheap (presumably Chinese) lanterns and Feuerhand, there is a lot of difference, Feuerhand are just that much better put together.

 

[FerlasDave]

What do you mean by paraffin lamp? A lamp that uses a wick or one with a vaporiser and a mantle?

 

[Glow_worm]

we have a few members that are on medication for their lamp affliction

 

[Chris]

What do you mean by paraffin lamp? A lamp that uses a wick or one with a vaporiser and a mantle?

I *think* I mean one with a wick. But I’m an absolute amateur so would be happy to hear about both.

 

[Mesquite]

I hope you are prepared for this; we have a few members that are on medication for their lamp affliction

I have no idea what you mean Andy...

 

[Mesquite]

I *think* I mean one with a wick. But I’m an absolute amateur so would be happy to hear about both.

To answer your question Chris, there's two types of paraffin lanterns.

Tilley lamps and the like are pressurised and put out a bright light that's (to quote Wayland) brilliant to have if you're performing field surgery by.

Then you have hurricane lanterns which are none pressurised and put out a nice warm light that won't blind you at 10 paces but is bright enough to illuminate all you need to do in the camp.

I prefer the later though I do have a couple Tilley lamps. I've got examples of both hot and cold blast huricane lanterns that date back to the early 1900's right up to the 2020's all of which get used at every camp I do.

 

[Chris]

To answer your question Chris, there's two types of paraffin lanterns.

Tilley lamps and the like are pressurised and put out a bright light that's (to quote Wayland) brilliant to have if you're performing field surgery by.

Then you have hurricane lanterns which are none pressurised and put out a nice warm light that won't blind you at 10 paces but is bright enough to illuminate all you need to do in the camp.

I prefer the later though I do have a couple Tilley lamps. I've got examples of both hot and cold blast huricane lanterns that date back to the early 1900's right up to the 2020's all of which get used at every camp I do.

Ah, thank you. Yes, I would like the hurricane style ones for that nice warm glow please.

 

[Broch]

I warned you

 

[Limaed]

I see both ‘Hurricane’ and ‘Tilley’ lamps all the time at my local Carboot. You can pick them up quite cheaply. A Hurricane might only cost £10 & a Tilley £20-£30 if you don’t mind them being a bit beaten up. Tilley X24B are very common but you might also see Vapalux & Coleman. I prefer pressure lamps for the light & heat output bug they do take a bit of tinkering sometimes. I think folk buy them new then they sit in the shed for years before being moved on after little use.

 

[HillBill]

I have both. I find the pressurised lanterns are great for Lighting up a few square metres really well. Ebay is your friend for these, Bialladins are excellent.

The wick ones are basically like a bright candle, and are cheaper/less complex

 

[Trotsky]

DHR make some lovely lamps, their designs harking back over a century. Originally the lamps were made by a German company but they sold all the tooling and rights in 1992 to a Dutch company. I've not found any good sources for them in the UK but I believe this shop in the Netherlands will ship : https://andriesdejong.nl/en/collections/lantaarns-olie-elektrisch

 

[Nice65]

Dietz are worth considering, they’re Chinese made these days but to decent quality. Slightly larger than the Feuerhand (German manufactured), they use a 5/8” rather than 1/2” wick so tend to give out a bit more light. I have an Air Pilot. It’s a pretty big lamp but the paraffin reservoir is huge. For carry in camping I always took the Feuerhand. Here are a few, inc the Air Pilot. The Little Wizard Large Fount looks very stable.

Dietz Standard Grade Lanterns Archives — The Source for Oil Lamps and Hurricane Lanterns

Brief History Robert Edwin Dietz first began selling whale oil and camphene lamps and lanterns in 1840 at the age of 22. Robert and his brother Michael patented the first practical flat wick burner especially designed for the then new fuel oil, kerosene, in 1859. The following decade Robert...

lanternnet.com

Didn’t search far, but this came up.

 

[Chris]

My lamp arrived today and has passed initial smell and taste inspections. Will hopefully be able to get it out for a trial run this weekend.

 

[nigelp]

A small funnel is useful to both fill, and then empty the stove without spilling the fuel. An old thin camping mat rolled into a tube and 'duck taped' into a protective case is light and keeps the lamp safe when transporting.

 

[Chris]

I am an immediate fan. What a lovely, warm glow it adds to a cold evening.

 

[FerlasDave]

Looking good Chris.

Just wondering if anybody has used a reflector on their lantern and how well they do if your hanging one? The thing I don’t like about feurhand lanterns is the fact they light the sky more than the area around you.