Coleman Mantles

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Corey

Corey

10 Year 15 Year
Joined
Mar 22, 2006
Threads
63
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1,378
Location
Auburn, WA.
Website
www.yotatech.com
I have an old Sears propane lantern that uses two of the Coleman #21 mantles.
When I put it away from my last outing in the summer it was OK, but after transferring my gear from my ECS case to my new Alubox 73 liter, I noticed one of the mantles has a hole in it.

Looking at new mantles I see they have clip on ones now.
Coleman Lantern Mantles Insta-Clip, #21 - 4 Pack

Has anyone tried the new clip on style over the old ones where you tie them off and clip the strings?
Just curious if these are easier to install or not.
Have not found them in any YouTube videos, only the tie on style on YouTube.

I think I bought the lantern in the early 90s to replace a dual mantle Coleman white gas lantern I had for years.
I find it easier to transport propane bottles over white gas, and the light output is around the same.
Mine has the twist knob that activates the igniter, a lot better than the push button that Coleman us using on their Insta-start propane lanterns IMO.


21.jpg


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I've used the clip-on Colemans with no issue and yes, they are easier to install. It did seem like the newer mantles shrunk more than the old tie-on ones did when you light them. Not a big deal though.
 
I'm another fan of oldcolemanparts.com I have several old Coleman gas lanterns and that is the only mantle I will buy and use now.

As for clip on mantles... I have had some and they did not work well for me. Unless you have trouble tying a simple knot, I am not sure why you wouldn't buy the old style.
 
FYI I wouldn't store your propane with anything you don't want to replace. We had a bottle leak in our picnic bin, the ororizer ruined everything including the bin. It is impossible to get the stench out.
 
Thanks, if they did ever leak, it is mainly just towels in there.
Been carrying the bottles like that with towels, a lantern, and a few other misc. things for 30 years without one leaking on me.
 
Corey said:
Thanks, if they did ever leak, it is mainly just towels in there.
Been carrying the bottles like that with towels, a lantern, and a few other misc. things for 30 years without one leaking on me.
Click to expand...
We carried them the same way for years too. I'm in the habit of checking the main valve before I put a bottle away now.
 
rusty_tlc said:
We carried them the same way for years too. I'm in the habit of checking the main valve before I put a bottle away now.
Click to expand...
Oh, if you mean leaving a tank hooked up to the lantern, then no.
I always unscrew the small tank from the lantern when it gets put away.
 
Corey said:
Oh, if you mean leaving a tank hooked up to the lantern, then no.
I always unscrew the small tank from the lantern when it gets put away.
Click to expand...
They can still leak, but it's only happened to me once. And it's one I probably refilled one too many times...

:doh:
 
Corey said:
Oh, if you mean leaving a tank hooked up to the lantern, then no.
I always unscrew the small tank from the lantern when it gets put away.
Click to expand...
No, the tanks can leak, even new ones. Sometimes the valve doesn't re-seat when you remove the stove or whatever. They are a variation on the Schrader valve so if anything gets on the rubber sealing surface or the stem gets cocked they will not seal completely. I carried them in sealed rubbermaid containers for years with no problem, but there was that one time and we had to trash everything. It's worth a few seconds to check the bottle before you stow it.
 
I will have to keep an eye on the tanks then.

Well this is embarrassing...
I went through my mantles today and found out I had four of the #21 clip on ones.
So I took off the old mantles, then when I went to put these on, I started scratching my head.
This is the same lantern I have.
Sears & Roebuck Hillary Legend Propane Lantern Model 201.72787 - Century Primus | eBay

$_57.JPG


The gas tubes come out of the bottom, and not the top like most lanterns.
I did find another pack of mantles with one mantles left, and it is a Coleman #51 bellows.

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But I did get the lantern to work with the #21s, but not sure if I trust it, but I ran it for a good five minutes after first lighting them with a lighter to burn to ash.
And this old Sears lantern I have is actually built by Primus I think.

I did order a brand new lantern though just to have a second one.
Got this one from Amazon.

Coleman Two Mantle InstaStart QuickPack Lantern

It uses the standard #21 mantles.

I had forgotten that the old lantern used these funny #51 bellows type mantles.
Never hurts to have a spare lantern on hand.
From reading the reviews though, you first turn on the gas, then push the ignition button.
Some say it can take several tries, and you all know what happens when gas builds up, KABOOM!
One thing I like about my old one is the igniter clicks when you open the valve for the gas.
It opens it full blast, then you back off to dim it is you want.
Too bad the Colemans are not built with this old school ignition.

81aCNpbMRsL._SL1500_.jpg
 
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