A very gentle walk through instruction thread for gas lantern start up use.

[Slubberdegullion]

Mantles, mantles like this, mantles scare me. I don't want to be scared of mantles anymore. Please assist me with mantle confidence.

I won 30 whole British pounds on the PTA 100 club and I am going to splash out on a Camping Gas lantern, maybe this one for outdoor use 'neath tarp.

I believe I have to set fire to the mantle first, and it desiccates or something and then gives off a lovely warming glow. But don't touch the mantle or it will fall apart like butterfly wings. The whole thing sounds FRAUGHT with peril, burnt fingers and mantle failure.

Guidance and encouragement required please.

mantle mantle mantle mantle

it's a funny word

mantle mantle mantle mantle

Sounds lethal! If its anything like our old trekking stove that needed "priming" (ie 1' high flame before it settled-or that is how dh did it ) that I wouldn't go near it-use to scare the hell out of me. At least you have a fire bucket and no bunting, so you stand in better stead than many

And I like the word Mantle. It feels old iykwim?

It does, like antimacassar or nary.

I am sure they can't be lethal or dear old camping gaz wouldn't sell about six varieties of the be-mantled buggers.

I have a memory, probably confabulated from reading too many camping magazines, of using one as a child. They make a pleasing hiss noise and the light generated is delightful and soothing, in a way you'd never get from an LED or an ehu lantern.

They look good-I saw one in a camping shop and it looked pretty robust. Never tried one though.

I went through this procedure last year and yes it's weird but essential. And now I have a beautifully glowing lamp. Follow the instructions to the letter.

Hillbilly, so the instructions that come with the lantern and straight forward are they? Was it scary or perfectly straight forward and doable and I just need to get a grip? How often does one have to replace one's mantle?

Yes the instructions are straightforward. I did it outside (they probably recommend that). I don't know about replacing it as we only got ours last summer in time for our final camp of the year. Good luck!

Ta

I know what you mean about the gentle glow and hiss. I'm pretty sure we had these on Woodcraft Folk Camp (shurrup) when I was about 13. I'm pretty sure, because I have a distinct memory of fiddling with the mantle. Crumbling like butterfly wings is an appropriate analogy.

Ooh, I know nothing about lighting it - last time I saw this in action I was 10 years old, and the mind's not quite was it used to be. However, there's nothing like the glow of a gas lantern, so I vote for go-for-it.

They are fab, we've always used them & while they can be fragile they aren't scary and once you've changed the mantle ( good geographical word ) for the first time then you'll be fine! Yes yes to lovely hissing adjustable light.