Anyone here use kerosene lamps? I find them great for off the grid, power outages etc or just simply having them on for fun. As to which type is best really depends on the situation but you can't beat the old standby unpressurized flat wick lamp for reliability.
Kerosene Lamps
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I've got a couple around home for last ditch emergency lighting. I can't see much use for them on the trail because of the stench of the fuel and the rattly nature of the lamp and globe. They would kind of make sense if you're running a diesel 'Cruiser, fuel-wise, but they're rare as hen's teeth here in the States.
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I'll agree with the stink of kero with lamps, can get a bit overwhelming when you got a few going but got that covered.
My concern about smell isn't so much when burned -- I don't really mind that in moderation and my wife grew up in Japan and the smell is nostalgic for her due to it being used to run the heaters -- it's the fuel container and even the slightest of spills on the lamp, etc when it's closed up inside the truck. On top on a rack or in a trailer, not so much an issue.
I'm maybe a little sensitive about it, having worked in a truck garage. You're either away from it or the stink is all around. And it only takes a few drops to get the odor hanging in the air.
On the other hand, if you're running a diesel, then not such a big deal. it's going to be around anyway, you're probably equipped to refuel and clean up after, etc, so a more viable option there IMO.
I'm maybe a little sensitive about it, having worked in a truck garage. You're either away from it or the stink is all around. And it only takes a few drops to get the odor hanging in the air.
On the other hand, if you're running a diesel, then not such a big deal. it's going to be around anyway, you're probably equipped to refuel and clean up after, etc, so a more viable option there IMO.
I use them on my patio nearly every night for "ambience". They are the cheapies you can get at any hardware store. I have a "Dietz" that I take solo camping several times a year. I burn lamp oil in all of them, not citronella, because I discovered bears love the smell (or taste) of citronella. I empty them when in the truck and fill them when I get to the campsite. Never had one break or leak in the truck.
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Best lamp ever invented for night fishing. You can dial it down low and still see to tie leaders but not ruin your night vision. In general use much less annoying than the glare from propane or gas lanterns, IMHO.
Also great in an RV as a night light, they will run on low all night for many nights on one tank of fuel. Set down low they provide just enough light to find your way around in the dark.
Kerosene is a lot less volatile than naphtha (Coleman fuel), IMHO safer.
Kerosene lamps are not as fussy as propane or gas lamps, no mantles, not temp or altitude sensitive.
Yeah there is a smell, I class it along with the smell of a naphtha stove, coffee brewing and bacon cooking as part of camping.
Also great in an RV as a night light, they will run on low all night for many nights on one tank of fuel. Set down low they provide just enough light to find your way around in the dark.
Kerosene is a lot less volatile than naphtha (Coleman fuel), IMHO safer.
Kerosene lamps are not as fussy as propane or gas lamps, no mantles, not temp or altitude sensitive.
Yeah there is a smell, I class it along with the smell of a naphtha stove, coffee brewing and bacon cooking as part of camping.
I got a kerosene lamp last year. I don't take it with me anymore and just use it for table lighting on those dark winter/autumn nights on the deck.
The smell, they're fragile (glass globe) and fuel leaks, plus you need to light them which is an extra step that can be challenging in the dark and in the rain. And after all that, they don't emit much light.
I've gone exclusively to LEDs. They don't put out a lot of light and the light isn't a warm light but you don't have to worry about any of the aforementioned. I guess what it boils down to is do you want ambiance or practicality? I will say that the coleman gas lanterns are extremely bright in comparison to either my leds or the kerosene.
The smell, they're fragile (glass globe) and fuel leaks, plus you need to light them which is an extra step that can be challenging in the dark and in the rain. And after all that, they don't emit much light.
I've gone exclusively to LEDs. They don't put out a lot of light and the light isn't a warm light but you don't have to worry about any of the aforementioned. I guess what it boils down to is do you want ambiance or practicality? I will say that the coleman gas lanterns are extremely bright in comparison to either my leds or the kerosene.
This one (Dietz Jupiter) has a large tank and runs for a couple weeks of evenings. Still compact!
https://www.lehmans.com/p-175-dietz-jupiter-hurricane-oil-lantern.aspx?show=all
https://www.lehmans.com/p-175-dietz-jupiter-hurricane-oil-lantern.aspx?show=all
Aladdin lamps if you want really nice, Coleman if you want mundane, German military (petromax) brass and a heater as well. All are pressurized and produce a lot of light. Regular lanterns only produce as much light as a couple of candles. Burn time for most of these is quite a few hours. Normally 6 to 12 hours on a tank. Pressurized lanterns produce somewhat more light than a 100 wt bulb. Sometimes a lot more depending on fuel, pressure, globes etc. Scott