Other useful accessories for oil lamps include a fire extiguisher and an escape route in case things go horizontal.

I'd say paraffin oil, lamp oil, and kerosene all have about the same fire hazards. The ultra-pure (as marketed) lamp oil to me seems like it isn't worth the higher price than that for paraffin oil for essentially the same effectively clean burning flame. Maybe it doesn't soot out as bad as paraffin, but I find that simply adjusting the wick keeps my chimneys fairly soot free.

Of course, nothing is as nice to me as my dual fuel coleman lanterns. They are more complex and can be temperamental, but they sure put out a nice light.

lol!!! Soem of the pro's here seem like they would be great for boyscouts but i dont know, any opinions?? We curently use propane lanterns (not funa all to carry huge bottels of propane ): ) Just wondering, any advice helps.

i think a lamp with a glass base is a fire bomb waiting
to happen..looks nice for "cottage" decor but thats about
it..a "storm" or "barn" lamp..the metal ones with the wide
base are better..with just about everyone being brought up
with electric power using anything with an open flame and
liquid fuel is very iffy--if you don't spill fuel--if you
don't have kids and dogs that might know it over..if you
really know how to use it...back in the real old days
oil lamps were outlawed from use in stage plays because
so many theaters ,and the people in them..were burned up..
candles went out when knocked over and were allow--that might
give you something to think about..

I have been using glass oil lamps my whole life and have never had a problem, now granted they are always up where they can't be bumped by children or animals, and are always used inside and I have never spilled oil when filling. I surely wouldn't use them outside or in a barn or other outside situation. For outside the home I would agree that a hurricane or railroad lantern made out of metal would be better suited.

When I was a kid (as in really young) I used to "play" with my mom's old oil lamp (which I still have), and a oil lantern that an uncle gave me (step-daughter now has it). I went so far as to use in inside of my closet (you really need darkness for it to work well), and never had a problem. I really like the smell too...

Hey OBG did you know that kerosene fumes will make your hair fall out?

Shadow...those are the prime words--using glass lamps ALL MY LIFE...for those folks who just got one at the mart last week
i would advise caution and i think MOST adults could do that.

Oh I agree I was just saying in a controlled situation their ok and with a little training, as you said in a less controlled situation as in untrained or in hostile weather I would recommend the metal hurricane or railroad lanterns.............I would advise proper education.

I have used these since I was a kid and they are great. The best lamps (IMHO) are the Aladdin lamps are great. They put out ~ 60 watts of white light silently (when adjusted correctly). The downsides is that they have gotten ridiculously expensive if purchased new and they are slightly radioactive (like Coleman lantern mantles). We’ve always used K1 kerosene (paraffin oil outside the US) in the lamps and space heaters, minimal odor if wicks trimmed and adjusted correctly (can’t teach how, just takes practice).

I have bought several of my Aladdin’s at end of season sale, at farm auctions, and at flea markets. If mantels or chimneys are broken, easily replaced. Lehman’s is good source, but there are others on the web. Locally if there is a large Amish or Mennonite population, some store should stock parts.