Oil Lamp Tips for Off Grid Living

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[@metroplexchl]

Fun things with oil lamps - the wider the wick, the brighter the light.....and the more heat. So in Summer, use smaller wick and put tin foil or polished metal or mirrors behind lamps for more light and less heat!

[@martyharless5097]

Don't be surprised when your chimney /globe cracks due to uneven heating

[@Ihatepandas1]

@@martyharless5097 how to solve the uneven problem?

[@martyharless5097]

@@Ihatepandas1 you have to leave enough space around the glass so it doesn't get hotter on one side than the other.

[@jungleno.]

Keep in mind ...Wider wicks also burn fuel faster.

[@abbe1abbe156]

@@Ihatepandas1 Keep the wick just high enough to get light. Dpn't make it too tall. I grew up with kerosene lamps for black outs. We also put them in a basin of water for safety.

[@katherineking1361]

When I was a child, we camped a lot. The ice box was literally a wooded box in the ground with spaced slats on the bottom and tar paper covering the top which opened on hinges. The iceman would come thru the campground selling blocks of ice. These worked great. Today one can buy at WM coolers of many sizes and do the same thing. They are well insulated and keep things cold for longer periods of time.

[@scottsyoutubeworld1824]

I have a great solution for filling! I use squeeze bottles. They are not only great for filling oil lamps, but I also keep another one with motorcycle oil in it. That way, when the motorcycle oil level gets a little low, and it only needs a squirt, it is so easy and clean to squirt some into the crankcase. And I'm sure you can imagine how easy it is to fill an oil lamp with a squeeze bottle. I buy the 32 oz size, and they work out just great. But be sure to label them so nobody thinks it's cooking oil or something. I even put the skull and crossbones so people know it's potentially poisonous. Thank you for the great video!

[@waynegriffiths5143]

Wait until you discover the magic of an Aladdin mantle lamp. Those things are crazy bright.

[@crazysquirrel9425]

Suggestions: Place rocks or marbles in the bottom of the lap to raise the oil level. Use a forever wick with copper wire sewn into it to provide thermal feedback- keeps oil warmer so it goes up the wick better.. You can get a solar powered setup for a fridge. They also make a propane powered refrigerator (think cabins off grid). Those solar yard lights are mostly JUNK. You will be lucky to get any that last more than one season. Replacement batteries cost a LOT more than the whole light.

[@DFDuck55]

I lived off grid in the mountains for 10 years. In a pinch you can make an oil lamp with a saucer, small plate or pie tin, make a wick from a bit of aluminum foil, or a bit of dog food bag string, or bit of rolled up paper, I've even used a piece of wooden match stick as a wick and it worked pretty well, and cooking oil. Olive oil works best, it has little to no smell. With a small wick a tablespoon of oil will burn for hours.

[@martyharless5097]

Others have given good suggestions on where to purchase manufactured wicks. Another option is to use the material from a worn-out pair of 100% cotton pants. The seam on the vertical part of the legs is usually perfect for 1/2 inch lamp burner. The bottom cuff of the leg I find is usually good for a 5/8 inch burner. You can sometimes cut the material material from around the zipper area to use for 7/8 inch burner. It's like having a ready-made Wick as the material is already stitched on both sides and works just as well as a commercially made Wick. If you have sewing equipment then you can make your own out of any part of the pants. Just make sure that you're burner's Wick adjustment mechanism can accept the thickness of the material, if it's too difficult to advance the wick through the burner then you don't want to use that material.

[@blueamenaa749]

Thank you for teaching us.❤ the light is really beautiful and warm. Take care.

[@arkansasroadselfstorageofw7110]

thanks for the tip on the oil in the filler, I went and got both of them today, it made filling the tank up easier, thanks...

[@oakstrong1]

I haven't seen any of your other videos but if you can, build a cellar under the ground. A good cellar will keep things cool during summer but prevents things freezing in winter. Not as efficient as a fridge but still pretty good. We had one under the house when I was a kid: we kept all out vegetables, eggs and preserves in there. Root vegetables like carrots and potatoes would last almost a year and jams and blackcurrant juice for a year if sealed well. Meat would last several days and then again at least a week after being cooked and then put into a container with air tight lid while still steaming hot: the heat creates a vacuum inside that helps to slow down spoiling. Another method is to keep food in a water tight bucket, in a river or lake. Depending how cold the water is, you can keep cooked meat for a couple of days. It's (almost) always best to re-heat any such food thoroughly, even if it doesn't smell.

[@Berkana]

Here's a pretty big tip that you should definitely not miss: the way you trim your wick can influence how bright the flame is. I didn't believe it (because it didn't make intuitive sense) until I saw it demonstrated. See this comparison of the light from different wick trim patterns: kzbin.info/www/bejne/jnWrpn5srMaLjaM

[@kindafoggy]

Brilliant! I couldn't figure out why the oil smelled fine in its container but nasty in the lamp. You're right--- it was an old wick that came with the lamp. Thanks so much for tip.

[@diyfferent]

That's awesome! Glad we could help you out a bit. :)

[@generfeld]

you can find most wick sizes on Amazon in nice big rolls for cheap

[@generfeld]

Great video. Always loved candles/fire light but wanted more light. Just bought my first oil lamp. A cheap WalMart one to start with. Works great with Florasense oil (kerosene based, not wax/paraffin based). Zero odor unless you smell around the top of the glass. Don't have the flame too high (once it starts to jump/bob it's probably too high, higher than that is when it will smoke/soot). Keeping the wick cut straight gives the best flame for me. An angled wick makes weird flame shapes. The oil is dirt cheap at WalMart, and as for wicks, you can find most sizes on Amazon in 6ft rolls for about $6. My lamp takes 7/8" wick which is nice and big, so lots of light. Respect it, keep it on a sturdy surface away from other things...and watch what's above it. They put out a good amount of heat from the top. I love this thing. So cheap to run, and the light is gorgeous.

[@roy-nk4vq]

Thanks for the tip about the pouring tube . I just ordered the same one from amazon. No spills!😀

[@janetdonaldson2632]

You mentioned improving refrigeration. I have seen solar refrigerators and solar coolers. Thanks for the fun informative video. I inherited a couple vintage oil lamps. One is clear glass similar to yours and the other is fancier with a glass painted lamp shade with flowers painted on it. I want to learn to use them so your video is super helpful! Looking forward to fiddling with the lamps!!!

[@dreport9433]

Thank you for actually isong the lamps on the dark. Awesome content.

[@riccohansen3683]

Thanks for your video. I use oil lamp every day after a hard day at work. I love your ribbed glass oil lamp. I just buy the same as yours in ebay and im so happy for them. Love oil lamp. 😃😃😃😃

[@hippyhibb9757]

I use a solar power yard lights for emergency I'll bring them in and you got a light in your house all night

[@GoTo-KleckfilesDOTCOM]

I did this too. I put the light over a clear glass jar and it made the light way brighter!

[@AroundtheBlueBend]

Can't wait to get the oil spout! Thank you!!

[@mikejay9838]

Some great "off grid" specialists are Van Life people. Thanks for the video! Great idea. :)

[@theresad6990]

Cool idea using the pour tube! I always make a mess filling my lamps. Thanks!

[@jungleno.]

Buy a funnel.

[@billterry967]

Lehman supply in kindred Ohio has wicks and all sorts of none electric supplies they sell to the Amish community. I would definitely recommend them.

[@optroncordian7863]

If you wash the old wick thoroughly, it will work again without odour.

[@jungleno.]

That's what she said.

[@johnwyman6331]

I've been using oil lamps recently quite a bit. I use non dyed Highway diesel fuel with only a little bit of vegetable oil mixed in to keep the costs and odor of the fuel down. I have a miniature night light Style, a three-quarter inch wide flat Wick, and a few circular Wick Rayo styles. The Rayo's make enough usable light it puts the flat Wick to shame. It does use a lot of fuel to make that much light (and heat) though. I found them in antiques stores from 30 to $60 each. But I really want though is the king of all oil lamps: the deservedly famous Aladdin mantle oil lamp. It makes a lot of light, extremely little to no odor, uses little fuel, has been made for over a hundred years, and they're still made today!

[@daniellesduckheadhomestead3127]

Great tips on the oil lamps. Thanks

[@duaneadams5210]

I have used kerosene lamps for years and love them. I have found that many of the newer/cheaper burners cause the oil to give off a burnt oil smell which I really don't like. For some unknown reason, I have found that the Queen Anne burners really burn clean and will not put out the unwanted smell. I have replaced all my lamp burners with the Queen Anne and love them. They are a little more expensive but very worth it. I have examined a lot of burners and many of them seem to equal the Queen Anne in design but there is something different that caused the Queen Anne to burn cleaner. Give it a try.

[@rickyburton4642]

Thank y’all for sharing. 🙏👍👍😊

[@TF856]

I inherited two kerosene lamps from my grandmother and they're probably over a hundred years old. I've also bought a couple from stores but I like the old ones better I also picked up a nice antique at a yard sale. But I've been using kerosene lamps off and on all my life and I'm over 65. We do buy unscented lamp oil only because my wife doesn't like the smell of kerosene but she also doesn't like the smell of unscented lamp oil either. I love having the indoor lamps and the outdoor lanterns. I also have four white gas lanterns.

[@kathygum3373]

Thank you!! I need this info before i use my antique lantern. I plan on using it instead of a flashlight when we loose power or when walking outside at night.

[@GR19611]

You are doing great,good to see the young ones doing fine as well.

[@diyfferent]

Thank you. :)

[@billhutchinson6318]

If anybody is having trouble pouring those style of container (vinegar, engine oil, vegetable oil, etc) and you don't have a handy spout what you can do is turn the container around and pour it "backwards". With the handle turned down the hole is the highest part of the container and doesn't have a high level of liquid above it. It's much easier to control the flow, and steady.

[@tamrakds]

THANK YOU!!! I bought used oil lamps and Klean Heat. Om my it stunk so bad I stopped using it. Never even considered replacing the wick.

[@adama1294]

What is also good it to transfer some of the kerosene to an empty dawn soap container. Then you got a squeeze bottle that is easy to dispense. Also a solar generator to power the fridge is doable. Also there is fridges that run off of propane.

[@user-hr5un8gr3t]

❤❤❤. Off grid living.

[@kimmer6]

I recently found Sterno Soft Light Lamp Oil and bought some online delivered for $26 a gallon. It has the least odor of any fuel I tried in my recent indoor 12- 14 hour lamp tests. The other day I happened to see it at my local Smart and Final store selling for $12 a gallon. That's a pretty decent price! It worked well in my Feuerhand 276 test lantern that I have been using. So if anybody needs to burn a lamp indoors this is worth a try.

[@jodileonforte3810]

That's what I bought too and I've been thrilled with it

[@cherylmiller2272]

glad it's working for you

[@bbc598]

For the pouring you have the jug the wrong way/upside down. The handle should be on the bottom so the liquid doesn't have to fight for air. Atleast 90% of people do it wrong.

[@barbarabell3366]

Aladdin lamps give off brighter light..might want to try. Good luck with you adventure. God Bless

[@diyfferent]

We will have to check out Aladdin lamps. Thank you :)

[@mariamolinaro4811]

Go to the dollar store,buy mop head must be 100% cotton and you have your wicks

[@THEDRAGONBOOSTER8]

You are both like looking at me back in time..Yes the wicks,so much I could say.Let you work it out ,it's not life and death ,if it was ,I would say more ..keep up the great learning..Cheers ,Bradley ,from Tasmania..Australia..

[@diyfferent]

Thanks Bradley. :)

[@OutnBacker]

Ace Hardware, Tractor Supply, some farm co-ops will have wicks. Or you can make your own from painter's canvas drop cloth. Just use a cotton thread to sew it together when you fold it over to size it for width. Just like making a belt loop. You'll have enough for a lifetime.

[@322doug]

A large baster works really well for filling as well.

[@bazzinator7477]

The secret to no smell is what u said about keeping flame low....even kerosene does not smell if you keep the flame low...the flame should have zero orange colour, it should be bright white light only and if you do that it will not smell.

[@bazzinator7477]

@M S ...K1 Kerosene...its sometimes called clear kerosene .

[@joeguzman3558]

YOUR a great family

[@davidblakely2627]

if you place a mirrow be hind the lamp it will reflect the light more

[@diyfferent]

That's a great tip, thanks!

[@joeguzman3558]

thank you very much for your information

[@jameslawlor1404]

Top notch tips thanks

[@shawnneal2822]

You can also use an olive oil bottle with a wine pour spout

[@rolotomassi7824]

Glad my advise helped you guys out :)

[@RealHankShill]

Just like with automotive oil jugs, I bet if you turn the jug backwards from how you usually would think to use it (the handle on the bottom so you are pouring over the handle, rather than the handle at the top) I bet it will pour clean.

[@generfeld]

Amazon for wicks. Measure the current wick width, or measure the wick tube itself. Most wicks are 3/4", 0.5", 5/8", 7/8" it seems.

[@venademonslayer]

Rural king has a good selection on different sized wicks, lamp oils and a couple different lamps. with meat i figured you would be canning the meat that way it wouldn't need to be refrigerated.

[@ronliebermann]

Oil lamps are great, but they don’t put out much light. If you wanted, you could mount a Sterling engine above the glass, which mechanically spins a fan. The air from the fan would make the flame burn twice as bright. But of course, the lamp would consume twice as much kerosine. Also, there’s a possibility that Crisco can be liquified with a copper rod which is positioned over the flame and extends down into the reservoir. Tallow is cheap. Kerosine is expensive.

[@nizamieminov3648]

fantastic video guys

[@remb9614]

I’ve never had a problem with the wicks maybe because I trim them regularly but my lamps have only been used with really good oil, the problem is that stuff is expensive and not practical for long term use. I use a small rc gas bottle for refilling gas remote control cars. They are cheap on amazon and they are made to hold alcohol. They work great for oil lamps

[@diyfferent]

We realized that there was some old kerosene in the wick that was making it smell. We bought a new one and it was perfect.

[@ritamoore3940]

Leyman's has a whole variety of wicks

[@2lmdi]

Hobby lobby candle making section... any craft store really... I imagine Michael's too. In a pinch just braid (3 strands or your wick thickness choice) cotton kitchen twine. A wick made this way will last much longer than commercially made ones and you know it doesn't contain anything "bad" as its made for food like tying down poultry legs to bake. How do I know these things... candle making. Pre-made wicks get expensive when making lots of candles.

[@Wwehrwolfoz]

Ebay is where I’ve been getting my center draft lamp wicks about $10 a piece so take good care of any and all you have

[@Wwehrwolfoz]

Wicks

[@lindalangve9039]

Lehman's Hardware online has a lot of off grid options.

[@beeallen-hine1421]

When using wick for first time the recommended time is 1 hour for wick to absorb the oil. Also was told that 2/3rds full for lamp oil in font. Hope this helps for those new to this.

[@JQUICK21]

Thanks Brenda!

[@kimmer6]

Brenda, they named a flower after me. Impatiens. I put in a new wick, roll it upward until its almost completely out of the wick guide, then dip it into the fuel in the font for 2 seconds. Then I wind the wick down to where 1/8'' sticks out, install the burner, then light it. So in 30 seconds I go from new wick to burning successfully..... and no waiting.

[@mrsugmad]

@@kimmer6 GREAT tip ! (why couldn't I think of that)?

[@426superbee4]

Any thing beats setting in the dark, starving and no fun, when the power goes off. Don't be like my neighbors and run to a motel. he hee There a good chance they don't have electric either. Always have another source of energy and back ups for cooking, heating, cooling and lightings ect. Me being a BK with tons of bee wax. I can always make candles Yes i even own some oil lamps as well. I made flame wall stands, to set my glass oil lamp on. and i have some metal ones with handles as well. EVEN Coleman lanterns, and some battery lanterns as well

[@OnlyMyOpinion]

If you need a refrigerator for off grid and you don't want to spend a lot of money, find a junk travel trailer. RVs have small refrigerators that work on generator, propane and 12v battery power. Just salvage the components like the stove, fridge, lighting, inverter and heater. They all work good in off grid situations. A solar panel will charge your battery/s.

[@xzkt]

Great tips for oil lamps. I hope I never have to use them.lol Phil

[@kimmer6]

Wicks are all over the place on eBay. State the width in inches and mm and you can find them.

[@ej115]

Cool

[@hollygibson628]

Walmart for wicks.... next to oil lamps. Skinny ones in camping area.

[@LarryP248]

This is a high-quality piece. There was a book I read with like content that had a big impact on me. "A Life Unplugged: Reclaiming Reality in a Digital Age" by Theodore Blaze

[@sharoncecil4124]

Camping stores have wicks sometimes and hardware stores.

[@williamc7460]

Try out lehmens brother s. They have all the off grid stuff you can dream up.

[@RudyWalkerJr.-ln3xu]

Miles Stair Wick Shop has the best wicks for virtually everything.

[@SuperQueenV.]

Lehman's has wicks and parts for oil lamps and lanterns

[@user-ch6xi7rh8k]

Great store.

[@glennanderson8783]

I have found that amazon has a wide variety/supply of flat wicks in 6 ft rolls for my Dietz and other brands all at a very reasonable price.

[@no_peace]

I bought some on Amazon but realized for long term/emergency use I would need to get another lamp that fits the large wicks sold near me. They sell lamps here but the wicks don't match

[@shemp308]

You can clean wicks easily with some dish washing liquid. Once dry, it will be fine.

[@stickstone6885]

I found 2 years ago couple oil lamps and they look great but we haven't used them much because of odour and I haven't found any fuel that could solve that issue. Its nice that you have. After that I tried also some vegetable oil lamps and I like them also because they have very little or any smell when burning. However, the wick doesn't absorb vegetable oil so well than other fuels so the flame has to be close to the oil level. Floating is one idea but I found some other ideas to go around this problem. I can share some thoughs about it if you are interested.

[@robertedward9456]

Miu Mau you can get a addictive to put in the paraffin to stop it smelling

[@Growmap]

I haven't tried it, yet, but Firefly Safe and Green Lamp Oil is supposed to be super clean.

[@rafon.]

Oil penetrates into wood and even asphalt. Give it time and your wick will absorb it no problem.

[@no_peace]

@@rafon. it can't absorb it fast enough to work properly

[@no_peace]

I love vegetable oil lamps. I got pretty wire and made wick holders with it, made the lamps in pretty food jars and shallow trays made to hold candles. If you use airtight jars you can close them up and travel with them. You can also make or buy wire bails and put them on. I used flat wicks on some of my lamps and they have to be right in the oil like you said, which means as the oil goes down the wire holder has to be adjusted or the oil has to be refilled, or i could use a floating cork/wood holder with foil on it (or a bottle cap!). I went through so many options I'm guessing we went through the same kind of process lol. It's really fun. I'd like to hear your ideas. Lighting is one of my special interests (so is preparedness)

[@laurajphillips]

Great info does it produce any heat?

[@hypnosiscenternyc]

How much heat do you get from them? Do you think they'd have any warming effect on an enclosed 3 season porch?

[@seiyuokamihimura5082]

I have about 50 ish oil lamps lol. Never trimmed a wick on one. I also never had to replace a wick.

[@jessicah3450]

Exactly a good one can last for years and years, but a lot of the newer ones are really poorly made and burn up quickly.

[@jamesbradley7739]

to keep yopur food cold buy a small square freezer thaty the lid opens from ther top not the side air cant escape that way all you need to do is turn on for about 5 min at a time every couple hours works great

[@susanadams290]

We used to use these for light.

[@SoundMediaVibes]

Looking for cotton wicks? I bought a bunch a couple of days ago in my local Asian supermarket! :)

[@jayangli]

I think I tried those solar lights but I think they run out easily and have to replace. So it means you got to buy another.

[@bhajandaniel9771]

I take the advice of keeping the flame no hgher than1" but it doesn't give off much light, not near as much light as you guys are getting in this video. Even turning the flame up to an inch and a half makes a big difference, though. How high is the flame in this video? And by the way, I'm using Klean Heat for fuel and a 7/8" wick so those are not problems when it comes to not getting much light. As for wicks, I buy ROLLS of them on Amazon and cut off what I need. The rolls are CHEAP and come in every width.

[@jwaam]

If you have an Ace Hardware near you, they carry oil lamp products including wicking. They are a great source for some old fashioned products that are useful on the homestead. I wish I was strong enough to go off grid but we live in Texas and we've had days in the high 90's and even triple digits already this year. Hmm, maybe living in an adobe house would help! =)

[@diyfferent]

We do have an Ace Hardware somewhat close by. We have never had AC and when it gets really hot we use a fan. Adobe houses could help, plus they are beautiful!

[@johnwyman6331]

Go underground.

[@Tibbs_Farm]

Operate the lamp with the wick down inside the carburetor (the brass mouth looking thing) I use diesel in my oil lamp and there is almost no smell. Also, the light is a brighter whiter color light.

[@user-ly1bi3qi3p]

That doesn't seem safe, ru sure?

[@HerbalSurvivalist]

amazon has wicks all sizes and types as well as lehmans

[@Quizzical_nonsense]

it's said that Ben Franklin went blind because of his reading while using oil lamps, have you found any ways to increase the light from the oil lamps at all?

[@TheDave570]

Amazon for wicks!!!!!

[@kurtrussell5228]

Thanks guys

[@alcatelevolve2859]

3/4 x 8 wicks currently at Fred Meyer

[@racheal74]

I can not find the metal flow tool anywhere, can you share a link please? Tks

[@sloanIrrigation]

Someone always says olive oil is better. It isn't. It doesn't wick or burn as brightly as kerosene or a branded lamp oil and it WILL EVENTUALLY clog your wick.

[@jungleno.]

I keep a supply of sardines packed in olive oil for when disaster strikes. After eating sardines, you can make a wick out of a tiny piece of paper towel or string, place it in the can with the residual oil and you have an oil lamp!

[@FrederickTheAnon14W]

Not bad, But you do have the little tiny bones for sardine's don't you?

[@jungleno.]

@@FrederickTheAnon14W nah... I'm fussy...I only buy the boneless skinless sardines.

[@FrederickTheAnon14W]

@@jungleno. Ah, Sardines with the bone in isn't TOO bad, You just gotta pick the bones out when you eat them, They're pretty tiny but I still prefer boneless, I don't mind skinless as much.

[@patriciaadams5492]

How would you keep wick propped up?

[@HerbalSurvivalist]

i found this Ohraz Bottle Pump for 1 Gallon Bottles of Liquid Paraffin Lamp Oil, Easily Transfer Oil Directly from 1 Gallon Bottle to Oil Lamp Candle, Clean and Easy Storage, Upgraded Chemical Resistant Hose

[@CRAFTBOSS57]

Walmart had oil lamp repair kits

[@elizabethcope1502]

Miles Wick Shoppe has a lot of information on kerosene usage.

[@susanadams290]

They have tubes with a battery pump at Harbor Freight.

[@LOREMIG]

Where did u buy it?

[@Lindasromperroom]

I’m having this exact problem! I changed the wick and oil in one of mine and it was still smelling. I had to crack my window in my kitchen. It seems ok now but not sure my husband will go for that. I used a funnel with mine but it still made a mess. How much is that tube you used? What exactly is it called? Amazon and hardware stores have wicks.

[@adama1294]

Kerosene will go bad in plastic containers in about a year. Metal containers in 3 to 5. There is a product called PRI - D that can preserve it and can rejuvenate it.

[@crinkle2649]

If you sit it in front of a mirror you will have more light

[@UnderMyPalm]

Goodness me. Found your video 5 yrs later and the gal of Klean Heat is $86 is it really that much better. Gallons of liquid parifin are around $20-$25