I just picked up my Genie II lamp from my Ace Hardwear store. The special ordered it for me. When they looked it up in the cataloge, I think they made a mistake cause they quoted price of $39.95. When the box arrived, the price tag said over $90. The owner let me have it for the $39.95. I ordered an extra chimney and 2 extra mantles. How many wicks do I need?

-- Homeschooling Grandma (mlaymon@ glenn-co.k12.ca.us), June 30, 1999

Answers

Aladdin is coming out with the Genie III. It will be priced in the $90 range. Perhaps that is what confused the clerk.

I paid $60 for my Genie II. You got a very good deal!

My understanding is that the wicks last a long, long time. One should be enough, depending on the amount of use it'll get.

Best Wishes,

-- Bingo1 (howe9@pop.shentel.net), June 30, 1999.

If your are truely a "grandma" the wick will likely last longer than you. No offense, they just last forever. There IS an exception!! If you allow the lamp to run dry while it is lit, it will burn down the wick towards the reservoir and you will need to replace the wick.

-- smfdoc (smfdoc@aol.com), June 30, 1999.

Very good price! The Ace Hardware here sells them for $83.00 I think! I bought a metal Aladdin today for $169. Uff da. We decided to get the easy to refill kind, and metal bottom. That was the cheapest one to meet those criteria. I'm going to print this link and take it in tomorrow to see what the deal is. We still plan to try to get a Petromax, unless I read posts after this one telling me that they don't like their Petromax lanterns. If you are the Only one to handle it, you might do okay with two mantles, but I was given the impression that they are very fragile. The mantles were selling for $7.29 there and chimneys for $19.95. Does that compare to your store prices? I only bought one extra wick so far, because was told they last a long time. I'm ordering a dozen mantles, because we have seven kids, and expect those to have predictable accidental early demises. Any hints as to where to look for competitive kerosene prices? I bought a standard fabric-like shade for the Aladdin for 24.95. sigh I hope this thing lasts a looonnngg time. I'm not used to spending so much on things like that while we are raising young children.

-- Mumsie (Lotsakids@home.com), June 30, 1999.

You can put a frame around the Aladdin lamp to set a small pan on to heat water or milk or soup - there is so much heat coming from it. Don't put it closer than an inch or so - a tomato cage makes a good cheap frame.

-- Laurane (familyties@rttinc.com), July 01, 1999.

I got my mantles for $5.99 ea. and the chimney was $17.99. We live in a small town and the ACE has been here forever. They keep us as customers by giving us good service and good prices. I am so glad. It is a 20 mile drive to the next larger town.

-- Homeschooling Grandma (mlaymon@glenn-co.k12.ca.us), July 01, 1999.

Question: Which gives better light for reading? An Aladden lamp or a Coleman (fuel) lantern?

Thanks Dian

-- Dian (bdp@accessunited.com), July 01, 1999.

Alladin mantles after one installs them and lights them so that they form an ash are very brittle. Try not to bump them as they will disintegrate. give them time to warm up, and once you have the lamp adjusted do not adjust them further often. They can get quite hot, and will overfire, in which case the mantle will develop black on it. If this happens turn it down a bit and let the black burn off. The coleman lamp makes a terrifc hissing, and many fumes. Don't use it indoors because of the fumes. It is very bright and puts out both a tremendous amount of heat, light, and fumes.

-- Charlie (cstewart@ime.net), July 01, 1999.

I love my alladin lamps. I had to use them a few times last winter when the lights went out for days due to an ice storm. I have lesser value oil lamps on the walls but my alladin lamps are for reading.

The mantles are very brittle. Better buy a few extra.

I would not recommend using the liquid fueled colemans in the house. The fumes are very dangerous. I use Propane colemans. They have electrostart systems and are VERY handy. One small container of propane will last a long time. Buy mantles for these also.

The Alladin lamps are GREAT light sources. However, use the regular oil lamps while you sleep, ect. The Alladin lamp is known to "overfire" if not watched closely. I will not use mine unless I am reading or using it with the family. Hope this helps, ww

-- wayne witcher (wwitcher@mvtel.net), July 01, 1999.

one wick will last a long time. get extra mantles. Also- get a spare chimney- they can break easily.

-- farmer (hillsidefarm@drbs.net), July 02, 1999.