Today I bought a new Lamplight oil lantern at the local sporting goods store. It was only $10, so I figured, why not? I love my blue Dietz Little Wizard lantern and use it almost every day as one would use a candle, and now I have a smaller lantern as well. The light from the new lantern is not quite as bright, since it uses a 3/8″ wick vs the 5/8″ wick of the Dietz, but it’s cute and both lanterns’ flames produce a really soothing light. I love them so much!

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Behold! Our new lantern arrived! It’s an old-fashioned hurricane lantern that uses lamp oil as fuel. I have LED lanterns/lights, a propane lantern, but have never owned an oil lamp/lantern before. This particular model is a Dietz #30 “Little Wizard”, and I love it.

Oil lanterns work similarly to candles, with a wick (this lantern has a 5/8″ wide cloth wick) and fuel (wax for the candle, lamp oil for the lantern). The light output of the lantern is not nearly as bright as a propane or LED lantern but the light from the flame is much nicer and more soothing. It’s actually perfect for keeping on the picnic table since it adds so much ambience, can illuminate the table adequately, and is absolutely silent. In addition, if you use citronella oil, it can keep the mosquitos away.

There are plenty of videos out there describing the operation of oil lanterns, so check them out if you are curious. As for me, I’m hooked on these wonderful old lanterns and will definitely be bringing this “Little Wizard” on our next car camping trip to enhance the campsite.

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