Even Better Than The Old Dietz Hurricane Oil Lantern?

Рет қаралды 11,297

Күн бұрын

Adam reviews the WT Kirkman Hurricane Lantern -- Is this an improved upon version of the traditional Dietz Oil Lantern? You bet.
Is it better than a modern LED lantern? You'll have to be the judge.

Пікірлер: 43

@gongcyclist Жыл бұрын

It's really important when rating lights to not have the light source in frame. The light source steals all the contrast and washes out the background. This is also true of *using* a lantern. You'll just get night blindness if you hold it in front of you. Best to hold it out beside you out of your field of vision. The best demonstration was in the pantry... when the lamp was out of frame you could read the labels quite clearly. While not living up to modern standards I would say the lamp seems to do a fine job of providing a light source in an emergency.

@sandirobinson6966 Ай бұрын

Yup. I use and restore a lot of double-wick, center-draft round wick, also Kosmos Brenner round wick lamps and well...let's just say that modern persons who have always lived with electric light have high expectations that oil lamps just won't serve. They are all better than lanterns, but even my (notoriously putzy) Aladdins have limitations at about a 40 watt equivalent. The beauty of these bloomin' lanterns is that they are totally idiot proof (unless you burn the flame too high!!) , are very mobile, windproof, and inherently stable and safe. The trade-off is that light output is OK, but not the best.

@paranrs Ай бұрын

Exactly. If you look at the video at the 4:15 mark you can see the lantern is putting out perfectly usable light. But as soon as he moves the lantern into the frame the room goes dark. Kerosene lanterns are quite usable, and this video does not show them accurately.

@twiz148 6 ай бұрын

I have owned one of these for years. Mine was 100% tight when I first bought it, but after 7 or 8 years it began to leak. I used the KBS Coatings 5200 Gold Standard Tank Sealer and back to good as new. I used the tank sealer on both the inside and outside of the tank.I also bought the hooded reflector and lined the underside with HVAC mirror reflective duct tape and it help throw a lot more light though you have to hang it to get the full effect of the mirrored hood.

@user-fu9vj9ix3g 6 ай бұрын

I see the problem here: The wick was trimmed straight across. For best results, it should be trimmed to a low point, like a pyramid. The shape of the flame when trimmed straight across remains flat and short. When properly trimmed to a point, the flame shape is like an arrow head - tall and as wide as the wick. This results in a clean burning flame without having to turn it down to avoid the oily soot. This is a very large lantern, and should be able to produce around 12-14 candle power when trimmed and adjusted properly. My much smaller Dietz #10's reportedly produce about 7-9 CP. Not much, but get several of them going and your eyes will do the rest. Great for inside my truck topper or tent. Tip 1: Use parrafin lamp oil not kerosene for less smell and much cleaner results. Tip 2: Place a small mirror behind the lantern to double the light - or - make a shiny semi-circular snap -in reflector from polished metal to install on one side of the lantern. This makes a reflector to point the light - and a shield so you aren't blinded when using it outside at camp.

@sandirobinson6966 6 күн бұрын

Yup. Frankly, for practical use - after decades of camping and lots of power outages thanks to my rural co-op electrical supplier - for cooking and reading, nothing beats an LED headlamp. It's simply the best way to focus a lot of light right where you need it. Haha - and this is coming from somebody who LOVES her oil lamps.

@sandjleather 8 ай бұрын

We have 2 of these with the shades and food cooker plates. Always perform great during power outage’s.

@johnwyman6126 6 ай бұрын

If you want much more usable light from kerosene or that type of oil, the best I know of is an Aladdin mantle lamp. It has a mantle like a Coleman camping lantern except it has no hiss. Although they can only be used indoors they are more aesthetically pleasing which may be more acceptable to your girl. If you don't care that it's oil powered, or adds heat, and you want the simplest, brightest, cleanest, and very affordable form of off grid lighting, then take a look at those large panel solar yard lights that you can plug into the grass during the day to charge up, then bring inside to light up the place during the night time. They are also great to bring camping too.

@hardcorecampinggear 5 ай бұрын

Thanks for your reply. I'd love to try an Aladdin lamp-- they've been on my radar for quite awhile. But they're cost prohibitive for what is mostly a hobby. Truth be told: I've been investing in rechargeable LED lanterns. I haven't found a solar yard light that lasts. Despite good reviews, they always seem to burn out.

@johnwyman6126 5 ай бұрын

@@hardcorecampinggear Have you tried replacing the battery with a high quality Panasonic or something comparable? I know that they normally come with the cheapest battery they can possibly source. Mine have recently died and I need to change them myself.

@hardcorecampinggear 5 ай бұрын

Thanks for the tip. I'm not sure if these have replaceable batteries or not. Will have to check.@@johnwyman6126

@johnwyman6126 5 ай бұрын

@@hardcorecampinggear Just took one of my dead ones apart today, and I found out that there is no temperature sensor. Lithium batteries cannot handle being charged at or below freezing temperatures. I'm going to have to go online and see if I can find a small temperature switch that I can splice in the wire between the panel and the circuit board in order to shut off charging at low temperatures. Oh yeah, mine does have a replaceable battery, just two screws...

@sandirobinson6966 Ай бұрын

Kirkman sells reflector shades for lanterns - for sure Dietz, probably their own brand, and I think now Feuerhand, too. They help a bit. I have a hook set high in the kitchen for my Dietz D-Lites with the Kirkman simple galvanized shade. Focuses the light downward - which makes a good bit of difference. Can cook by the light, anyway. Added - I use the Dietz D-Lites or Blizzards because they have a 7/8 wick. Also Air Pilot and Jupiter are 7/8 size wick. Don't even bother with the others unless you don't care about useable light.

@oinc7320 9 ай бұрын

The lantern needs to heat at least 10 minutes. To get the full brightness, the reason is the oil is cold. As the flame heats the bottom of the lantern it will heat the oil, which causes it to flow easier up the wick. Don't turn it up max brightest during the heating, you will smoke the glass. Cut off all the burnt, carbon on the wick, cut a flat top, kiss cut off, ever so slightly the corners at 45 degrees. I do mean slightly. It will get rid of the devil ears. Get a reflector that slides over the handle. This makes a huge difference. I use 2 lanterns with my backyard hammock, they throw enough light. We have another brand, in addition to these out door barn lantern you can read by them. Very long tall shinny chimney, wide wicks and a frosted ball glass shade goes over the chimney. They are annoying to look at without the shade. These things are just fun to use. Recall camping, night fishing with one.

@hardcorecampinggear 8 ай бұрын

Where are you buying your reflector from?

@Tastes_like_chicken_shit 7 ай бұрын

Wt kirkman sells reflectors.

@hardcorecampinggear 7 ай бұрын

Do they work pretty well?@@Tastes_like_chicken_shit

@WR3ND 7 ай бұрын

I have good low light vision, so it's more than enough light for me to light a room. I'm always surprised by my wife who doesn't not being able to see.

@chucknaill Ай бұрын

Does the LED drawn in bugs? Just finished a weekend using a Dietz and Embury with no bugs.

@TonyM540 10 ай бұрын

They keep you warm in the outhouse! And you will find the paper.

@Tastes_like_chicken_shit 7 ай бұрын

You spend enough time in the outhouse for a lantern to heat it up? Kinda weird...

@hitchpost5822 6 ай бұрын

Can you tell me more about the tank sealant you are talking about ? Is there a brand name ? I sure could use some but have never heard of it. What do I ask for at the hardware ?

@reg428 6 ай бұрын

POR 15 or KBS tank sealer are good. They are basically for automobile fuel tanks. You would pour into your lamp, slosh it around so it coats the inside

@hitchpost5822 6 ай бұрын

@@reg428 Thank you very much for the information 👍

@TheRunAndGun10 Жыл бұрын

Useable light: The problem with the inherent design of the old style lanterns is you often times have to look THROUGH the flame (light source) at what you are illuminating. I take a piece of galvanize flashing metal and slide it behind the globe (outside) at a reflector/shade. That way your aren’t ruining your own night vision capability staring in to the flame at what you are illuminating. You can also carry the lantern down low at an angle that the chimney obstructs the flame to accomplish the same thing. Why bother? The LED doesn’t heat your tent/camper/room for you in cold weather.

@hardcorecampinggear Жыл бұрын

Good advice. I get why people use them, for the vintage feel. Same reason people wear a rolex. But LED doesn't heat your tent/camper during summer months and also puts out way more light. I use the Mr. Heater Buddy for heat when winter camping.

@jejejjgh6493 Жыл бұрын

❤

@paranrs Ай бұрын

Kerosene lanterns are quite usable, and this video does not show them accurately. If you look at the video at the 4:15 mark you can see the lantern is putting out perfectly usable light. But as soon as he moves the lantern into the frame the camera adjusts the light balance to compensate for the bright flame and it looks like the room goes dark. Any parts of the video where the lantern is in the frame will not accurately show the light levels. My wife and I enjoy kerosene lanterns as a primary light source in the evenings. We use electric light for specific jobs, like washing dishes, but generally speaking the bright electric light is completely unnecessary for basics. We're perfectly able to even read a book by the light from a kerosene lamp. I would also like to recommend a product called "Seal All." It is a fuel proof adhesive that is very useful for sealing seams and pinholes in kerosene lantern tanks. Rinse the fount with acetone, squirt about a third of a tube of Seal All into the fount, add maybe half to one ounce of acetone to thin the Seal All, rotate the lantern until the acetone mixes with the Seal All and the mixture coats the inside thoroughly. The mixture is thick enough that it will not seep through the pinholes/cracks/seams. Then let it dry in a well ventilated place for about 8 hours or so. I generally let a lantern sit in the sun, or just let it dry overnight. The next day it will be leakproof. Clean up any spillage with acetone before it dries. I've used this method for the past 10 years on many leaky antique lanterns. I've never had an issue. It's fast, easy to clean up, and works 100% of the time.

@markatkinson9963 9 ай бұрын

Pro tip, cut the wick to a conical point. Much better flame pattern.

@jamesmcgrath1952 7 ай бұрын

More wick area exposed. Just don't cut at too sharp an angle.😊

@American-Plague 6 ай бұрын

Better pattern doesn't equal more LIGHT. Cut it flat with very, very, VERY SLIGHTLY cut corners

@aikidragonpiper71 4 ай бұрын

For outdoors I love my Coleman gas lantern . Battery powered LED lights never last long at at all be for they dim and the batteries are dead.

@sandirobinson6966 6 күн бұрын

Yes, Coleman lanterns are great. A bit putzy, but tons of light.

@Shazali-ke4sd 8 ай бұрын

I prefer diesel as fuel ...smell better than paraffin....cheaper too....

@American-Plague 5 ай бұрын

Can anyone please direct me to a GOOD, QUALITY, SOLID 7/8" wick and not a FLATTENED HOLLOW TUBE of useless garbage?

@sandirobinson6966 Ай бұрын

Order from Lehmans, Kirkman, Miles Stair.

@American-Plague 9 күн бұрын

@sandirobinson6966 Thank you! Someone else recommended Miles Stair, and that's what I went with. HUGE difference in quality! Again: thanks!

@exothermal.sprocket 9 ай бұрын

Here's the deal: There will always be oxygen. There will always be fuel. There will always be ignition sources. Batteries? Dependent on a factory. Dependent on an electrical grid. Dependent on non-corrosive conditions. Dependent on electrical wiring and other conditional challenges. Dependent on incandescent filaments or light diodes functioning. People may say these are all challenges that are reliable and overcome, but they are never more reliable than oxygen, ignition, and natural fuels. We're spoiled with non-sun, non-flame light in the 21st century. We can stay up 24/7 with light stimulating our brains and stopping melatonin.