OFF GRID LIGHTING WITH NO SOLAR

OFF GRID with DOUG and STACY: We live off grid with no solar and in this video we are sharing the way we see around the house at night
We use oil lamps and candles and really enjoy the light that they provide. Many of the oil lamps we have acquired came from the LEHMANN'S CATALOG and we will link that here :
www.lehmans.com/
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[@chelsearutledge4491]

Growing up I lived with my grandparent and we had these lamps all over our house and used them in the evenings instead of electricity lights. They also came in handy for when the power would go out. A really great place I love to find them is at antique stores and swap meets. You can find some really fun and unique ones!

[@jamiecumbridge4645]

Another idea that I use a lot, I buy at the dollar store the dollar solar light that goes in the yard. I put them outside during the day and then ( when the power goes off or is going to go off) I bring the solar lights in and strategically place them through the house. I also buy rechargeable batteries that fit them so I can charge the batteries through the day and run small things at night. There is also a crank led lantern, you wind it up and have light for hours.

[@sarahloy2699]

A cleaning tip for your glass chimney is a dry piece of newspaper, no water, will get all the soot and make it shine. It does the whole job in a few swipes.

[@bernardflood8289]

Greetings from Ireland. Over here we call the inner glass the chimney and the outer glass the shade, a mantel is a very fragile gause type of material when lit turns into a hard ash, I have an old alladin lamp with a mantle which throws out a lot extra light because of the mantle, it's a non pressureised lamp.

[@hopeboman5265]

Bernard Flood..Greetings from West Texas. Thanks for your information. It's good to see how the "other half" lives.

[@rdlykryk4384]

You are correct Bernard. It"s the same here in the States. She had not done her homework on the lamp parts. Also the brass "wick mount" is the burner. Im sure it's been mentioned in the previous comments.

[@FarmFreshIB]

Why not LEDs? I realize that the lamps are much more appropriate in your house, but in my house we have used a battery operated LED light string in the bathroom for the last 3 years. We have it installed around the top of the ceiling around the room and it provides a wonderful soft light for the bathroom at night, much like candle light. It is easy on the eyes when getting up to go in the night and awfully nice to bath by as well. They operate on 3 AA batteries which will last for over a month and with the change to a rechargable batteries and a solar battery charger you can be off grid with no flame lickity split.

[@madamestrawberry4321]

Thank you Doug & Stacy for inspiring my off-grid life 💞 LOVE my new Lehman's oil lamp! They shipped it very well wrapped and cushioned. Their products are what I call "lifers" because they last a lifetime.

[@bbbb1024]

We live in Texas and after the big snow storm that knock out Texas grid my wife decided we needed some oil lamps and other items to help with no electricity. That’s for the tips!

[@jomiller4397]

I started having tea before bed with my oil lamp only. I fall asleep much faster. Thank you for sharing you health and information.

[@mainecritter3292]

We have used a cobalt blue Aladen lamp w/ mesh mantel, in our place for over 30 years. It has a frame for a lampshade. The light is equivalent to a 100 watt bulb. The mantels(mesh wick) and the chimneys are very fragile, but it creates a beautiful light.

[@communitysurthriveal5645]

On the subject of lighting; I have made it a life long practice to be able to maneuver around my home in total darkness. I try to keep everything (as much as possible) in its place. I commit to memory where those things are. When our power goes out, it is no problem at all to get to the flashlights, candles, matches or home protection should it be a security issue. I also to a lesser degree attempt this same philosophy to the outside of our home, should a situation arise, requiring me to maneuver about outdoors in darkness.

[@williamchristopher1560]

I usta work for a glass making factory in Sapulpa Okla. I was a mechanic there, but mostly did oiling and greasing. ANYWAY We made thousands of the fonts and chimneys as, in the early 80s, France as yet didn't have REA, and so we sold bunches of oil lamps to them. The company bought the hardware and wicks. I imagine a couple doz of those chimneys and a doz fonts and brass with wicks followed me home. I have 1/2 doz here and need to get oil for them cause where I just moved to last year, ive found out the electric goes out quite often. I gave a few to my boy and girl also.

[@bayareapinay8893]

Thank you. I’m just starting and I’m just all thumbs to solar and mills AND this video IS SO MUCH help to me in keeping myself, my girls, my 72 year old mother, cats, and dog prepared..!! They rely in me for almost everything esp killing all bugs..!! I’m scared for them when that time comes..

[@stephanienuce7711]

The boys and I are making a homemade olive oil lamp now!

[@offgridinthepacificnorthwe3210]

Great video! The 1st time I went off grid we were building a house at a old rock quarry. We were living in a 1950 50 foot "Kit Coach" Art deco trailer. It had amazing round corners and cherry wood paneling. I used an Aladin turbo mantle oil lamp. It was brighter than a 100 watt light bulb. They turn down real well and burn hotter than a regular wick. They have to have a shade on them because the will hurt your eyes if you looked at it even turned low. They were great in the winter but we would use standard wick lanterns in the summer. We had gravity heat and a wood stove. We had a Servel refrigerator freezer too. Those were the days lol. Now with these solar panels we really don't use the oil lamps anymore accept for Thanks Giving dinner we heat the dinning room with a dozen of them that sit on an 1850s sideboard. My wife and I still dream of selling this place and getting something smaller like 10 or 20 acres and a house like yours. With just the two of us now we don't need any more than that. Thanks my friends!

[@TheGardeningArtist]

I grew up with out running water and electricity so using oil lamps brings back memories.

[@HearthandSickle]

Thanks for sharing this Doug and Stacy. I am a reenactor and we use oil lamps often. We also have them in our house in case of power outages This was helpful. If I ever live off grid, in my head I refuse to have solar. This is the way to go. I use a bit of newspaper and vinegar to clean the mantels Of my lamps.

[@SRHurst-kj5mx]

We use a baby bottle brush wrapped in a micro fiber cloth to wash our chimneys on the oil lamp.

[@hp6958]

I'm totally new but my husband and I really want to go off grid but no money to do it, we don't own a home. Thank you for the videos very inspiring

[@cindyurban5923]

I keep oil lamps at my house all the time. We live in Florida and we lose power and we have hurricanes and you name it. It's great having light when everyone else is in the dark, wink, wink!!

[@tom_olofsson]

Oil lamps are often available at garage anscestate sales. Some of the old styles are really nice.

[@tom_olofsson]

Good idea.

[@CherishHopePhotography]

I love oil lanterns. Even on the grid, they are beautiful.

[@booksandbeans]

Jas. Townsend and Son, Inc. is also a good source for lamps and candle making.

[@FyNyth]

I find the lamp light much easier on my eyes than LED lights!

[@anonymousanomaly9538]

Your eye and brain are correct. LEDs are great in terms of energy vs heat, but not so great otherwise. Do look into them and consider sticking with incandescent, halogen or candlelight. God bless you. articles.mercola.com/sites/articles/archive/2016/10/23/near-infrared-led-lighting.aspx

[@anitahohl]

A friend of ours sent us two headlamps as a gift... I would never have guessed how much we would use them! One of the best gifts ever!

[@teresadean1995]

I love my hurricane lamps, I also like Klean Heat, you are right, it doesn't put off any smells, the ones you buy at Walmart, has this choking fumes I call it that cause it does choke me up.

[@standawnmezurek508]

I'm about 40 min from leamans ..our neighbors, who are Amish use an oil that puts out a white flame. and the reflector wall mounts for the oil lamps are great!

[@maehay4065]

Stan Dawn Mezurek sounds like cool idea!👍

[@stephenwilliams5201]

A elder left me a large oil lamp. Was told that the lamp was a hand me down from the pre depression times. They used it to warm there front room. On winter nights. I have it now and it does take the sting off my shack on moderate nights. Ps plenty of light/heat for cheep. You are a winner with oil lamps.

[@williamwelch7]

Wow...I was thinking just yesterday about what king of lighting you use in the cabin....You guys are psychic or something! :) I use Klean Heat in my lanterns and oil lamps, too, but I also make 6" tapered beeswax candles, and use them in a candle lantern ( makes the candle last much longer by keeping the flame out of the drafts and burning on one side causing drips ) I try to keep a good stash of candles around, because the older they are the slower they burn. With an old candle, with a properly trimmed wick, I can easily get 11-12 hours or more off one candle. And I like the smell of beeswax...no deadly hydrocarbons like paraffin... just wish I could afford bayberry wax...maybe one day :)

[@williamwelch7]

Hi again Doug and Stacy, thanks for liking my comment. If you don't mind, I'd like to give a plug for another channel. Jas. Townsend and Son. They sell colonial re-enactor supplies, and have a really neat series on colonial cooking, as well as many other old style ways. They're where I got my candle mold and my lantern. You should check them out...very neat people! And Stacy, everybody I let taste your catsup is totally blown away...I will NEVER buy catsup again! And I do tell 'em it's your recipe, and tell 'em to check out your channel :)

[@williamchristopher1560]

Mom 1908/2003 always washed her lamp chimneys in warm soapy water, then rinsed them, then dried them with newspaper. She said it made the light brighter

[@OFFGRIDwithDOUGSTACY]

William Christopher she was right 😁👍

[@stateofgrace2038]

Thank you for the tip on how to tell if olive oil has any additives! I appreciate ya'll so much.

[@marilyngodfrey868]

We had an ice storm in February 2018 that left us without power for 63 hours. We have oil lamps and flash!ights, but the smell of the burning oil was not pleasant to me. My husband could not see well enough to read at night. So when the store restocked he bought a propane lantern, extra mantles and extra fuel canisters. Since then I have purchased two more lantern set ups for my son and grandson. I recently bought an Alexa Pure water filter. I read that light sticks are handy to have because you can hang one on the bathroom mirror and it will reflect the light much like your oil lamp with the mirror behind it, so I've purchased a few of those.

[@StIsidoresFarm]

Glad you guys did this video. Great tips and insights. We're not off grid, but we were just talking about oil lamps as forgotten tools to have in the home for long term power outages. Thanks!

[@ladonnad.steele2470]

good for storms for those who have electric...head lamps are awesome, I also use lights connected to the wall with batteries in them!

[@RainCountryHomestead]

Thank you for this, I love our oil lamps and they are my favorite light. However because kerosene is not the cleanest burn and makes Mr. Rain feel ill, and the paraffin oil can be pretty expensive, I rarely burn them and rely more on our led plugged into solar. But I find this has taken a toll on our eyesight over the years. I really want to use our lamps more (we have a lot of all sizes!), I will be trying the type oil you use to see if that works better for us, the price is certainly better than paraffin!

[@RainCountryHomestead]

Will do!

[@anonymousanomaly9538]

A lot of people are complaining about LEDs and rightfully so, Please do look into them more and follow your instincts. I would reconsider burning petroleum byproducts indoors as well. I suggest this article as a launching pointL articles.mercola.com/sites/articles/archive/2016/10/23/near-infrared-led-lighting.aspx God bless you.

[@aimhighhomestead5862]

My FAVORITE was the wall light in the bathroom with the mirror.

[@vinnettepope8255]

Thank you for sharing this wonderful teaching information and tips on how to use natural light in the home. Thanks for the detail information on what fuel to use and how to care for the lanterns. I appreciate what you are doing to educate us.

[@TheWonderwy]

Thank you for this info. It helps to know the best fuel and how to fill the chamber of the lamp.

[@eileenpalumbo6578]

Never would of thought of the headlamp. Great tip.

[@mdouble100]

Good information. I've used oil lamps for about 4 days during an extended power outage. We burned a commercial lamp oil in about 4 lamps to provide both light and heat. The first day was not bad, but after that the smell became overwhelming. This experience put me off on the idea of using oil lamps as a long term solution for lighting. Since that time we've moved to another home in a more rural area. We have 2 woodstoves for heat, and solar to meet some of our power and lighting needs. However, as you've pointed out, during long periods of low sun, or no sun, (as has been the case this winter) solar won't do the job. We still have grid power, so can obviously use that during low light periods. Your suggestion for using Clean Heat may be very useful if we need to be fully off grid. Using oil lamps is a good idea provided other options are limited.

[@mdouble100]

***** Thanks for the additional comment. I will look for the product locally. I live in Canada and so don't know if it is available here. If it is then I'll be stocking up. In this area, long periods of heavy snow, and/or ice storms can knock out power for long periods. This is not a routine issue, but when it happens it can be very disruptive. Even with solar, short, cloudy dark days make it difficult to keep things running. In such a situation we'd prioritize our fridge and freezer, as well as our propane furnace. However over a longer term, we'd turn off the furnace, heat entirely with wood, and use no electric interior lighting. Under those conditions clean burning oil lamps would be idea. Thanks again for your video. Your channel is great.

[@stevepailet8258]

you guys as always are just so bright

[@LisaJohnson-ic6rt]

Lots of your lamps look just like mine, except you have a few of the more fancy ones. I have about 25 of them, and I think all except 4 came from Lehmans over the last 30 years, and I have never broken any of them. When my daughter and her family moved out to my parent's old place last year, she put a couple of the oil lamps on her wedding registry, and by the day after the wedding, her husband had broken both of them. I told them they were easy to replace, but they have been to Lehmans several times (we live in Ohio!) since then and have forgotten them every time. The place where they moved is not off grid, but may as well be, since there is no phone, cable, TV, internet reception, and the power goes out on a regular basis. A couple of months ago, Lehmans was having a sale on the pickle pebbles (MasonTops), so I sent them over there again, and still they forgot! I also have 6 of the battery operated lanterns (another Lehmans sale) that I purchased about 5 years ago, because carrying glass lamps around outside in the dark, especially if I am hanging laundry, is not safe for me! And they come with handy hooks to hang on the line, because apparently I am not the only one doing laundry in the dark. As you can tell, I am a big fan of Lehmans, and I sign up for their sale emails and catalogs (a new one came last week.) The staff is always so friendly and helpful, and even on the phone, they will chat you up and not try to rush you off.

[@1gr8lpta]

Thanks a bunch! Here it goes...I'm a Homestead Homey!

[@gailelizabeth14]

Great info, as always! Love Lehmanns --We live about an hour away and love going there!!

[@fourdayhomestead2839]

thanks for posting. I love Lehman Hardware .. I've used most of those lanterns thru the years. A necessity in life, no matter where ya live.

[@TheOriginalFreak]

Great video as always Stacy and Doug! Hope to be in a place where my wife and I can live a more off grid lifestyle in the coming years. I will be certain to stay in touch as we start this slow journey. Thank you for everything!

[@saintlucia2007]

Excellent tips! Seems like many of us are interested in the olive oil tip as well :)

[@angiekrajewski6419]

Thank you for showing us about your lightening !!!

[@justinelliott3529]

Love your videos! Im glad to see you mentioning Lehman's so much, being an Ohioan I visit them once a year, great place!

[@katrinasibley3722]

glad to see this. we have a oil lamp. it was given to me by my grandmother and it had oil already in it/full and it smells so bad we couldn't even sleep throw the smell.

[@kerryjudd3895]

Very Very Very informative and inspiring. I have added some lamps and fuel to my shopping list. 👍👍👍

[@williamchristopher1560]

YES, kero does evaporate over time. more so in the summer than in the winter.

[@peacehappiness345]

Thank you for the excellent tips Growing up in rural parts of America, we use oil lamps and candles, but I either forgot or do not remember why we cut out wicks straight across. Now I know.

[@chick-a-bee-farm]

Love the glass lanterns. We have 2 for emergencies but I like them for anytime use. They are cozy feeling.

[@jengoods2246]

Have just bought four lanterns so this has been great information thankyou 😀❤

[@robertaaugustini4091]

Using a mirror is the best advice, Thank you!!

[@karen4you]

I didn't even think about using that for my lamps. Thanks for your videos!

[@sherryslr]

Thanks for the useful information. Your new camera is working well--great lighting and picture quality! Y'all are GORGEOUS!!

[@sherryslr]

OFF GRID with DOUG and STACY Humm. Well, SOMETHING is very different with your lighting and quality. I noticed it with your last video too. At any rate, I always look forward to your new videos. Thank you!

[@essemsween818]

Those glass lanterns are beautiful too!

[@essemsween818]

Ooops

[@dantyler1558]

Wow, Stacy is really attractive. AND the ultimate homebody.

[@krromas1966]

great job on the lighting homies I go to the Salvation Army and pick up all of the junk candles that they cannot sell melt them down in a coffee can pour the wax into Old pickle jars and jelly jarsr I can find other than canning jars when the wax is heard a drill a hole in it and put the wicks that came from the original candles into the hole works great for recycling great Channel guys I will pass along the lighting and all of your other ideas

[@dawnpetras5146]

we own about 20 lamps....all bought at local amish stores and auctions....love em:)

[@purelivingforlife]

Sweet topic! :) Learned a few things!

[@dennisalanvids]

have some headlamps and now looking into these lamps. Thanks!

[@everydayrosalez5493]

Great lamp tips. Thanks for sharing!

[@FeldwebelWolfenstool]

In my life, I've seen and used them all. Interested in using coconut oil now, using a carbon felt or an aramid felt wick...bacon fat jar candles work well, and leave that wonderful aroma...

[@patrickharper9297]

Lehmans rocks! You two too!!

[@hopeboman5265]

Great video! We use Klean Heat lantern fuel. At Lowe's Home Improvement Stores..it sells for around $10.00 +/- plus tax per gal. It's a good fuel and burns without the soot some fuels cause on Lanterns. Check Ace Hardware for lantern chiminees..we find them to be less expensive than Lehman's.

[@fatandhappyfarm3471]

Great info you answered all my questions before I could even ask them. 👍👍

[@bdoyle9881]

Thanks for the information on olive oil, I didn't know that, but will check mine out.

[@noramontgomery2135]

WHOA NELLIE!!! I cannot tell you how "Excited" I am to have subscribed to your channel...I am learning all of these things that I thought was so hard are really not that hard to do after all. From the tips on the lanterns, to the All American Cook Stove. I knew that I am not going to be able to afford all of "solar" powered stuff and all.I absolutely love, love, love Kombucha, but I have never made it because I thought "Ugh" it will just take too long..well Stacy, you have completely convinced me that it is so worth doing this.I actually lived in Alaska for 10 yrs and the one thing that I wanted to do was live in a cabin. I did just that for almost 3 yrs, a 16x24 cabin, hauling my own water, taking showers in a "porta potty" that I rented(later a real outhouse), and even using the "honey bucket"(Yea in the winter at -65 it's sure easier than going to the outhouse. So this is definately "in my blood". I learned how to use water and not waste it, shovel alot of snow, and the most awesome thing was that I could walk outside at night and watch the Northern Lights dancing across the sky. Was it worth it...Absolutely YES!!! Am I going to do it again...Absolutely YES!!!...I may not get to do it in Alaska, but I will do it and this time it will be for good.I have sat here for the last oh, 4, 5 hours going through your videos and I know that there is a reason that Yah has me watching you guys, along with Zachary Bauer and all of these other homesteaders. It is preparation time and I am proud to call myself.....A Homestead Homie!!!!

[@jolyanpratt2350]

The oil lamps give off such a warm comforting light,,I've wondered why I couldn't get the olive oil lamp to stay lit, but I bet the oil isn't all olive oil...darn! I love what you share here.

[@jameshoward3795]

I love that place that you purchased the stove! Fantastic! J

[@peggyhartel2217]

Love all your videos!

[@maryredington5161]

Thank you for the Klean Heat info!

[@christinewight4332]

I don't really know how to hastag. so glad to have "met" you!

[@kathysmith2351]

Thanks for the Klean heat recommendation. I found it at our Lowes store. We are expecting severe thunderstorms and tornadoes in Tennessee today so Im prepared in case the power goes out!!! Love your channel!!!!

[@LifeinFarmland]

Very cool! Never heard of clean heat before.

[@darrel1954]

Thanks Doug Darrel

[@rohnsleather9986]

Love you videos. They are an inspiration to me. We also use a lot of lanterns and lamps both gas and oil.

[@OFFGRIDwithDOUGSTACY]

=)

[@billiebarnes3778]

Loved this video! Thank you!

[@stephanienuce7711]

We use Klean Heat and really like it! I love the ambiance and sweet light of beeswax candles and lanterns!!!

[@douglaswatson3638]

"Bright" idea's!!!!!!! great video thanks!

[@raisingsunshine351]

We are not off grid but I’m love this info. I am looking to purchase a few and have them on hand and to use at night!

[@charlesmartin7347]

Wow thank you so much great video

[@crystalhealing2330]

thanks again for such a great video...I always learn so much from you guys.

[@danielfarren7267]

I really enjoy oil lamps myself.

[@NomadicBC]

Thanks for the tips, good video.

[@courtneyfarber3247]

good tips and thanks for another great vid!

[@Princesshelyne]

Thank you!

[@tiffanylambert3312]

love the tips you guys share thanks they are very helpful!

[@anniegaddis5240]

Sharing this!

[@tedhall2277]

Doug please show the olive oil lamp again, I would like to make some.

[@marieschieler1914]

Thanks for the tip on olive oil.

[@blackoakhomestead2600]

Great info, we are working towards going off grid within the next year or so.

[@rhondabowdy]

Thanks for all the advice. Never heard of klean heat.

[@kimbermoss]

Those are great tips on the lamps. I so need to get me some headlamps. Going to Amazon after this! Lol.

[@douglaswatson3638]

streamlight are life time warranty

[@bonniedobbs2591]

GOOD INFO. I HAVE 3 ANTIQUISH (OLD) OIL LANTERNS. HOWEVER, I THINK I HAVE KEROSENE IN THEM. WILL GET THE CLEAN HEAT. I'VE ONLY NEEDED TO USE A LANTERN 1 WINTER WHEN POWER WAS OUT FOR A WEEK. I'M COMING UP THE 27TH.

[@kayleeskottagelife6569]

Thanks for the info

[@sherryduncan7968]

Awesome! Bought 2 oil lamps to add to my collection. I bought my oil lamp stand from an Amish family down in Holmes county, Ohio a few years back. Mine doesn't have a mirror but instead had a metal pie plate type holder. Think ill see if i can find a mirror and see if it reflects more light. Thanks for the cool video!