I've been looking around at Aladdin lamps for a few years but never purchased one. Looking at several on ebay. Do any of you have experience with them? I just want one. Just because I think they are neat and interesting.
Aladdin mantle lamps anyone?
- Thread starter askolover
- Start date
Help Support :
My mother lived for a short time without electricity for lighting, and she had kept two kerosene lamps that she had used when she was a young woman. When the electricity would go out, she would light one of them-- and sometimes she would do it just for fun to show us kids the shadows they can make.
I have found the Aladdin lamps very interesting, too, maybe because of that history. I have friends in Truckee, CA, in the Sierras, where the electricity is less reliable, and the main hardware store there had a lot of Aladdin lamps and parts. I've looked at them a few times. I kind. of wanted one, but I never bought one. If you get one, post a photo, please.
I have found the Aladdin lamps very interesting, too, maybe because of that history. I have friends in Truckee, CA, in the Sierras, where the electricity is less reliable, and the main hardware store there had a lot of Aladdin lamps and parts. I've looked at them a few times. I kind. of wanted one, but I never bought one. If you get one, post a photo, please.
I had one for a time... We took it to the beach house and boy did it put out a lot of light! But the smell of the lamp oil was a turn off. I love the look of them, but maybe not the maintenance! Greg
I have three Alladin lamps. The effective output of one, because of the mantle, is about equivalent to 60 watts. They are great to use outside and on porches. Parts are not hard to find.
Harry
Harry
davetranter
Well-known member
Mantle type kerosene (paraffin) lamps
My late father had one, which was a real Godsend during the power outages to which most of the UK was prone during the 1970s (these being entirely due to 'industrial action' on the part of workers in some 'essential industries', rather than actual faults on the network). It put out plenty of light, and also a repectable amount of heat, which was a bonus during the Winter months, but could be a disadvantage in a hot climate when the power and hence A/C is out.
It was not difficult to light/start, I would only advise not to rush it, wait for the evaporator to thoroughly heat before pumping. Premature pressurisation is probably the biggest killer of mantles. I only saw my father change a mantle once, he then bought about three 'spares', which I inherited, along with the lantern, thirty years later.
They are certainly 'neat' and/or 'quirky', but are an amazingly efficient source of light and heat in an emergency. I was sufficiently impressed that I bought myself one (new, ex-military, made by the 'Aladdin' parent company, Messrs. Willis and Bates, under the description of 'Lanterns, Kerosene, High Pressure') as soon as I got a home of my own. That one is still in it's unopened box (complete with all required accessories and spares (got to love military issue!) ) on a shelf in the spare bedroom.
I can't say that I ever noticed any smell from the lantern, apart from the aroma of 'meths' and kerosene during the lighting process.... Once thoroughly warm, it was virtually odourless!
Since I now have two of them, I suppose I could always sell one, but doubt that I ever will... Their usefulness outweighs their resale value. I would fully recommend buying one, even though (here in the UK) kerosene/paraffin is difficult to obtain and VERY expensive now.
Hope this helps!
Dave T
My late father had one, which was a real Godsend during the power outages to which most of the UK was prone during the 1970s (these being entirely due to 'industrial action' on the part of workers in some 'essential industries', rather than actual faults on the network). It put out plenty of light, and also a repectable amount of heat, which was a bonus during the Winter months, but could be a disadvantage in a hot climate when the power and hence A/C is out.
It was not difficult to light/start, I would only advise not to rush it, wait for the evaporator to thoroughly heat before pumping. Premature pressurisation is probably the biggest killer of mantles. I only saw my father change a mantle once, he then bought about three 'spares', which I inherited, along with the lantern, thirty years later.
They are certainly 'neat' and/or 'quirky', but are an amazingly efficient source of light and heat in an emergency. I was sufficiently impressed that I bought myself one (new, ex-military, made by the 'Aladdin' parent company, Messrs. Willis and Bates, under the description of 'Lanterns, Kerosene, High Pressure') as soon as I got a home of my own. That one is still in it's unopened box (complete with all required accessories and spares (got to love military issue!) ) on a shelf in the spare bedroom.
I can't say that I ever noticed any smell from the lantern, apart from the aroma of 'meths' and kerosene during the lighting process.... Once thoroughly warm, it was virtually odourless!
Since I now have two of them, I suppose I could always sell one, but doubt that I ever will... Their usefulness outweighs their resale value. I would fully recommend buying one, even though (here in the UK) kerosene/paraffin is difficult to obtain and VERY expensive now.
Hope this helps!
Dave T
I'd love to have an older one but youtube videos recommend going for a new(er)one (or at least an old font with a new retrofitted Maxbrite burner). The burner alone new is over $100. Lehman's sells them but they are currently out of stock for burners and complete lamps. Sonset Marine has them too, but more $$. Surfing ebay.
perc-o-prince
Well-known member
If/when you get one, you may want to look in to the sootless/odorless lamp oil to use in it! It's not perfect, but cuts down the oil-annoyance factors many times!
Chuck
Chuck
They say clean heat fuel works well, as well as Aladdin's own fuel.
