I absolutely love this lantern! I use it around the house in wintertime to provide extra heat in the house (my old house is drafty enough that I'm not worried about the supply of fresh air to combat the buildup of Carbon Monoxide, or CO; I have a CO detector just in case though), for power outages, and used it extensively during the 2012 Hurricane Sandy, when it hit southern CT.
I've had this lantern for approximately a year (bought in February 2013) and I'm still using the original mantle! In fact, I just drove a nail into a floor joist in my basement today so that I could have light above my computer keyboard this winter. It puts out a LOT of light, and although the top metal piece of the lantern housing discolors due to the heat output, it's not a negative.
I have used this on the CT shoreline in the middle of winter when the wind is howling, while walking along the beach at night. There is a noticeable "wherrrrrr" noise from the gas escaping into the combustion chamber, but that's comforting and constant, knowing the high-quality light and heat is available. Lighting the lantern in high-wind situations is difficult without a wind-break, but not impossible.
Lighting the lantern is as simple as letting some gas into the chamber by turning the knob several times (for metered blasts of propane to reach the spark), and by the 4-5 time, ignition happens. It's reliable, and works as it should. I've never had to use matches or a lighter to light this lantern.
Cleaning the mantle glass is as easy as waiting for it to cool, unsnapping the top metal guard (no screws), and lifting it out. I wash it with Dr Bronner's liquid hand soap mixed with water in a foaming hand soap dispenser at a 50% mixture. I let it dry, and use a lint-free cloth to remove fingerprint oil and water deposits.
The hanging chain is definitely long enough to keep your hand cool on summer nights, though if you're hanging the lantern, be aware that without adequate breezes or wind, any objects immediately above the lantern (including the chain itself, hook, nail, tree branch, etc that you're hanging the lantern from) will heat up and might present a burn hazard. Allow the lantern to cool or wear heavy gloves before moving the lantern, even when moving the lantern by the hanging chain. An alternate method of moving it would be to grip the lantern by the propane tank, though this isn't recommended. It would be hard to get a good grip on the tank.
I'm thinking about finding a way to hang the lantern in a way similar to in-car cupholders, in my house. Creating a sling or "holster" for the 1lb tank, and hanging that securely on an interior wall would provide safe, effective, and house-friendly lighting at a relatively low cost. No batteries to give out, no gasoline to go bad, this lantern is the perfect solution to power outages!
When the lantern is in use, if it's humid out, condensation does form on the propane bottle. Ask a physics teacher why (it'll take too much space here). If you're going to set your lantern down on a surface such as wood, be certain to have a placemat or some other absorbent, yet firm, material underneath, to catch the drips without presenting a tipping hazard.
Finally, the actual gas usage of the lantern is quite minimal. I have used this lantern every night for several hours, and I change the 1lb tank (which I re-fill myself using the Mr Buddy 1lb tank refill valve, and a 10lb propane tank) about every 3-4 weeks. If you turn the light up to max, the gas runs out sooner. If you turn it down to the minimum, it's a great nightlight in a cold bathroom.
Bottom line? Plenty of uses, emergency light is steady & comforting, and since it's so small, it's easy to pack up for trips!
| Fuel Type | Propane |
|---|---|
| Item Package Dimensions L x W x H | 6.65 x 4.84 x 3.66 inches |
| Package Weight | 0.54 Kilograms |
| Item Dimensions LxWxH | 10.25 x 7.5 x 1.81 inches |
| Brand Name | Coleman |
| Warranty Description | Manufacturer warranty. |
| Model Name | 2000026392 |
| Suggested Users | unisex-adult |
| Number of Items | 1 |
| Manufacturer | Coleman |
| Part Number | 2000026392 |
| Style | Chain,Protection |
| Included Components | Coleman Compact Propane 1 Mantle Lantern |
| Sport Type | Camping & Hiking |
