UPS finally arrived with my Petromax lantern this past Friday. It is fantastic!! The quality and finish are absolutely unbelievable..

As far as the lighting procedure, I had no clue where to begin... I have never camped in my life and thank God I ordered the video instruction tape. It made it alot easier. (although I don't think I'd use gasoline in it -- I got kerosene instead). The darn lantern will burn almost any type of fuel.

I also got one of the cooking adapter devices that attaches to the top of the lantern.. It is COOL! (I just boiled my first kettle of tea on it) The only thing I forgot to get is the EZpump accessory. (it allows you to pump up the lantern with a bike pump or co2 cartridge)

The people at Petromax were really nice too. (especially Diane)

Here's their link (if i can do the linking thing properly):

www.Petromax.com

-- Joseph Clark (rbad@eclipse.net), November 21, 1999

Answers

Petromax ROCKS!!!!! Aren't those amazing things? I liked the first one so much, I've ended up with 3, with a few extra globes and 2 dozen mantles ... going for stock in the company practically. I remember when this thing first arrived, and I got it started ... lighting the pre-burner was like igniting a jet engine in the garage .... WOOOOWWW! Suddenly, my Coleman's started looking like Fisher/Price toys.

-- SH (squirrl@huntr.com), November 21, 1999.

Same Here!! This is the one MUST HAVE for Y2K or any survival scenario.

The folk over at BriteLyt/Petromax are the sweetest! They are really honest and never laugh at "stupid" questions.

I just saw that cooking adapter on their web site. I guess they just updated their site. It looks neat!

Get 'em while you still can! And stock up on kerosene and/or Coleman fuel.

-- Steve Guyette (diversi-comm@usa.net), November 21, 1999.

I bought a petromax several weeks ago with great excitement. It is beautiful, I must admit. The guy was very helpful and patient with giving me instructions. I try dozens of times to light it, following the procedure. It just won't light! Maybe it's someting wrong I did. I have heard from others that it is not easy to use. You have to pump it and all that. I am glad that you like it. I am saying that it is not for everyone. I have to sell it to someone else now or i'll return it.

My sister just bought a freepay Baygin lantern for I think $63 or less. And it is the brightest flashlight i've seen so far with 2 setings, the highest is 75 or 100 watts(?). So I think i'm going to get myself one. She just email me this telephone number of this store 650-634-0308. I have not tried it yet, but I hope this will be an alternative to Petromax for those less skilled like myself.

-- William (frustrated@withpetromax.com), November 22, 1999.

The petromax works much better if one can pump the pressure up easily and that means using a bike tire pump (for me anyway). When I first got my lattern, I was unable to get it to work right and then I got a tire value for the pump and now I use it every morning when I go out to milk. It now works great. I used the petromax for three days during Floyd and it was a pain to use, and I would not dream of letting my wife use it. Now I can see her using it. Oh, when one takes it apart to clean the glass, be sure to set the burner down on its side. I have broken two mantles because I have set it down on the mantle. Expensive lession, one would think I would have learned after one time. The stove sounds like a great idea.

-- chicken farmer (chicken-farmer@ y2k.farm), November 22, 1999.