I really like the look of parrafin lanterns & have never used one before how easy are they to use? The lantern I was looked was the feuerhand, as they look well made & also come in lots of nice colours.
Hello!
The feuerhand lanterns you refer to are hurricane lamps, there are loads of makes, but yes feuerhand are one of the best quality you can get in the UK (readily anyway). They are dead easy to use - the most important thing is correctly trimming the wick, and adjusting the flame to the point just before it starts to smoke (best light output). There are YouTube videos which show different methods of trimming. Light output isn't great (slightly brighter than a candle) but it is a nice relaxing light, and I personally love the smell! If you have the opportunity to visit littlehampton, pick them up from a company called Base Camp - very good service from specialists, and the cheapest in the UK.
Before long you won't be able to get to the back of the shed anymore for the ever growing selection of paraffin lamps!! Or maybe that's just me!
Innes
------------- Just give me an excuse!
1987 Conway Laser FC
Hi Gear Zenobia 6
Outwell Kansas 5
Hi Gear Neutron 2
We have about 30 of them! Cold blast, hot blast and deadflame. There are often some nice examples knocking around on ebay - older ones tend to be better quality. I'd avoid anything really cheap (including the Outwell ones for that matter) Many are being knocked out in Chinese factories for pennies, and most are pretty poor. Usually the founts leak and the wick adjusters are rubbish.
Feuerhand have been around for a long time - their 280 is one of my favourites but it's a biggie - ended up getting mine from the USA as they seem few and far between here. Plenty of smaller ones though.
Will try and sort out some pictures for you!
Most cold blast lanterns will give between 9 and 12 candlepower. Hot blast a little less, but they are more suitable for use inside as they recirculate some of the "exhaust" so are a bit cleaner burning.
Also worth mentioning that the cost of running a decent (e.g. Feuerhand) lantern is almost nothing. On a low flame it will go on for 24 hours and use about less than a pounds worth of paraffin.
I agree that the cheap Chinese knock offs are not worth the saving. They might last a season if you are lucky but I'm not sure how safe they are in terms of emissions and leaks.
When I need really strong light I use a gas canister mantle lantern which produces a really bright warm glow which I prefer to cold electric light. More expensive to run though.