Fuel-Burning Lanterns

Featured review by Shari Galiardi

This lantern is bright and light and as the name says, easy to use.

As members of another website, we’ve been testing out this product for the past couple of weeks in exchange for a review. While preparing for a week-long backcountry adventure in the Shenandoahs last week, we were running behind with our packing and used this lantern to light up our campsite as we stuffed the last few bags of food and gear.What we like about this product: Lightweight and compact. Gives off a great amount of light for its small size. Adjustable light control, from very bright to romantic candle light.

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Featured review by David Williams

I carried one of these (as well as other candle lanterns) for years, then...

Once upon a time I never went into the woods for an overnight without a candle lantern of one kind or another. I probably had five or so different makes and models. They still lurk in my gear storage. This is one of the better ones, maybe the best one. For example, this lantern gives nearly 360 degree light as many do not. Still, all candle lanterns have problems and this is no exception. There is potential for spilled hot wax and, if you are not vigilant, fire. There is also the issue of the glass globe.

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Featured review by Trouthunter

I have used many propane and white gas lanterns over the years, I must say that the Coleman 2 Mantle Premium Powerhouse Dual Fuel Lantern definitely gets the job done, and is even brighter than its cousin the Regular Dual Fuel Lantern by Coleman. These types of lanterns are most beneficial to people who plan on driving to a campsite or a cabin. Another great use is for emergencies such as power outages. Large lanterns are too heavy & bulky for hiking any real distance, however they take up little space in the back of the family vehicle and have the benefit of lighting up large areas in a campsite.

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Featured review by Ted Albalos

The Snow Peak GL-100A is a brilliantly designed gas lantern. This is a compact and lightweight lantern that puts out a lot of light for its size. It's simple to use. It uses widely available isobutane/propane canisters that are used by most compact backpacking stoves.

I'm on my second GL-100A. I bought the first one in 2009 when they were plentiful. It was great for car camping and backpacking. I kept it in the back of my Cherokee along with other compact camping gear for those instances when I go camping on a whim. I also took it backpacking. This lantern only takes up a small amount of space and its weight is negligible. The GL-100A is a brilliantly simple design that is well crafted. The main body is machined from aluminum. The gas fittings are brass.

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Reviewed by Bill

One lantern to rule them all!

  Don't like propane or constant battery failure? Neither do I. So I bought this lantern. If you enjoy camping with the family frequently, this lantern is the long haul one to own. I've broken tons of battery lamps, flashlights, and headlamps over the years, yet this lantern continues to be almost bomb proof. Some variation of this lantern has probably been around for 60 plus years. We have put this lantern through the paces for about 8 years now. I can attest that this lantern is great for day trips, night fishing, and camping trips where weight isn't an issue.

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Featured review by Cayoung

Years ago we had a power cut in my neighborhood. One thing I remember was the guys down the street with a propane lantern, laughing and drinking beer. While cleaning out a cellar, I found a Coleman two burner propane lantern. Brought it home (with permission) and it sat for a couple months. A friend had a power cut, in the winter time. I brought it to him, not sure how it would work. Turn the valve, flick a lighter into the hole under the mantle. The lantern lit up the entire first floor of his house, and provided heat too.

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Featured review by DrPhun

Awesome nonelectric light!

I bought this as alternative to the Micro because of the potential for the Micro to spill. It doesn’t pack as small as the Micro, but is still smaller and lighter than the regular candle lantern. I like how it uses tea lights, which are super cheap. Because this one can be hung without a large risk of spilling, it is good for reducing condensation in a tent.  Unfortunately, a tea light won’t quite last all night. I generally just set it up, and if I wake in the early morning hours to condensation, I light it then. Warning: As the lantern does get hot, it is important to be careful in a tent as tents can burn! (Hanging it by the chain seems to ensure it hangs low enough.) (For those people not familiar with the dangers of candles!)

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Featured review by CY6TacticalSolutions.com

An ingenious twist on a small, lightweight, functional fuel-powered backpacking lantern! The Primus Micron Lantern - Steel Mesh is a durable option for backcountry illumination.

The Primus Micron Lantern - Steel Mesh is a great lightweight option for backcountry hikers seeking more illumination. As a member of another website, on occasion I am given products to test and evaluate in exchange for a review. The Primus Micron Lantern - Steel Mesh falls into that category.  I recently had opportunity to put the Primus Micron Lantern to a three-week test on an extended backcountry trip and base camping to and from. As with any "techincal" gear, I force myself to exercise a smidgeon of humility and wisdom to read the instructions provided and watch a youtube video or two.

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Featured review by BackcountryJoe

The REI Candle Lantern is a lightweight candle lantern that utilizes a self feeding candle system which burns off all excess wax, providing up to 9 hours of burn time. The lantern itself is very light, consisting of mainly aluminum and glass weighing in at only a few ounces. The candle lantern's heat output makes it an excellent addition for a tent, reducing condensation and creating warmth and light. Note the bigger the tent the less effective it will be at reducing condensation. All in all the simple candle lantern is a must-have low tech gadget, and I would never get rid of mine.

I picked my candle lantern up about a year ago at the local Goodwill, as I do a lot of my gear. I found it new in the packaging with one unlit candle inside it, and at one dollar I was instantly excited. That night I lit the candle and set it on the kitchen table, it ended up lasting just over 10 hours. So that weekend I went to REI and picked up two packs of regular 9 hour candles The candle lantern's first field use was at Lake Valhalla, Washington, in mid February. I lit the lantern at 10 p.m., woke up and blew it out at 6:30 a.m.

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Featured review by Corvus

I bought this lantern in a close-out sale. The price was right so I took a chance and I am very pleased that I did. It is compact, easy to light, shines bright and dims low. I've been using it for years with the same mantle that has amazingly survived four air flights across the country. I also find that it uses very little butane and makes an excellent pairing with my MSR Superfly butane stove. If you're into low impact, leave-no-trace camping, it eliminates the need for a fire.

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