Customer Reviews

Coleman 1-Mantle Kerosene Lantern

5 star:		(3)
4 star:		(0)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

Coleman has the most practical, simplist, and safest solution for kerosene lanterns. I collect antique and modern camping lanterns and stoves and this is my favorite kerosene lantern. Why? Simple to light, strong light output, and when you turn it off, it goes out right away. This kerosene lantern takes only a minute longer to light than a camping lantern that uses liquid fuel (white gas/coleman fuel). Other kerosene lanterns are more complex, have a more coplicated startup procedure, and don't turn off immediately. The reason for this is an internal schrader valve in the lantern valve system that cuts off the kerosene when you turn of the lantern.
The simplest lanterns are either propane or coleman fuel lanterns. The safest is kerosene since the fuel won't explode (like gas can). Another point to consider is that kerosene is cheaper to purchase; around here I can get k1 kerosene for around $4 per galleon while coleman fuel costs around $10 per galleon.

Supplier delivered as expected, high quality lantern for my bug-out box. The lantern provided excellent light when we did a test on it. Simple to light with alcohol preheat cup. You need to exercise care when filling the pre-heat cup.

I bought the Coleman lantern about a year ago and tried it during our long winter. First the pros -- it uses relatively inexpensive kerosene (as opposed to bottled propane) and once you learn the lighting procedure, it puts out pretty good light.

But.... In order to light it, first you have to fill the small, and difficult to reach, denatured alcohol pan inside the lantern (you do that with the small, included, bottle - after you buy some alcohol). Then you light the alcohol (with a wood match since the paper ones won't reach)and pump the lantern 15-20 pumps (don't forget to turn the pump plunger "on" and afterward, turn it "off") AND then wait for the alcohol to nearly burn out. THEN you turn on the lantern switch to let in the atomized kerosene. Hold a match (you can try a paper one here - don't have to reach as far inside) in the lantern hole and it should light. Walla.

THEN be sure to keep an eye on it since the lantern will sometimes start to flame out, for reasons I haven't yet discovered.

At this point you race outside with the lantern, turn it off and it fumes out. If you do this indoors, the fumes stink up your house. Yuko...

If all goes well - the thing just makes light, not flames, and (oh, don't forget to pump it every so often to keep up the air pressure & the flame) when it comes time to turn it off, take it outside because of the fumes.

If you choose to run this indoors, be aware, it stinks and will fill the room with its smell. I know a guy that grew up with kerosene odor and likes it. I don't know anyone else who does.

Best uses? Camping and outdoors. Keep an eye on it though, and never leave it unattended.

Would I buy this again? Uh, no...

This Mantle Kerosene Lantern is perfect for a picnic day and espcially for use in yours house, really is the best Mantle Lantern Kerosene