Oil lamps at Walmart

I ventured in to Walmart today for the first time since earlier in December, and I saw ( and heard) the stockers moving some oil lamps (Aladin-type) that were on sale. They were about 12" tall and there were two in a box along with some lamp oil for $10.00. This seems to be a pretty good deal if they are any good. Does anyone have any experience with oil/kerosene lamps from Walmart? I did read on the box and the manufacturer was in the USA. Should I go and get some?

-- connie in nm (karrelandconnie@msn.com), December 28, 2001

Answers

Are these the Lamplighter Farms oil lamps? This company has been around for a long time but......I found the entire lamp base gets incredibly hot and sometimes emits a hissing sound when in prolonged use. I only use this brand of lamp for occasional use and in an occupied (by adult) room only.

I used to be off grid and all my light came from kerosene lamps. Alladins are worth the money for the light they put out, but need to be closely monitored so they don't flame up. My best lamps? Those old pedestal flat wick glass lamps that my grandma used in her home. These kind can still be found second hand, yard sales, antique shops and some of the older general stores. New chimneys are still around 99 cents and replacement burners can be purchased through Lehmans catalog, or the old general stores. I can burn these lamps all night long and the base never even gets warm.

What I just purchased for my kids' rooms to use during power outages are those battery operated fake candles. I don't have to worry about them getting hot or having blankets slung around knocking them over.

-- Laura (LadybugWrangler@hotmail.com), December 28, 2001.

Yes, I think they were Lamplighter Farms. I appreciate your input. One dumb question: What do you mean by pedestal base lamps? I do see lamps at our local antique/flea market. These at WM were flat wick lamps. I have one lamp my dad got me at an auction. It is wall mounted with a metal reflector behind it. Does not put out a lot of light. I am always afraid when looking at old lamps that the parts arent all there (I wouldn't know) and/or they don't work. But I do have a Lehmans catalog. I also have a couple of the miniature, baby oil lamps that came out of an elderly person's home. One even has a wick still in in. One is a metal base and the other a glass base with painting on it. Neither has a chimney. Did they really use these?

-- conniein nm (karrelandconnie@msn.com), December 29, 2001.

I have some of the Walmart lamps and they're okay but I have one Aladdin and it is wonderful! Unfortunately, you do have to be much more careful with the Aladdin because the mantle is pretty easy to burn up. They give out great light though. BTW, I was going to respond to your thread at tb2k but then saw it here. Guess we like the same sites.

-- Deena in GA (dsmj55@aol.com), December 29, 2001.

Hello Connie,

I use those same lamps in my outbuildings and dark corners of my house. They work fine. I would get in a good supply of wicks, though. I have to change them every other month or so. You will know when the wick is too short to change it.

The lamps are not a bright as the expensive ones but, they suffice for most needs. I can even read by them.

Sincerely,

Ernest

-- http://communities.msn.com/livingoffthelandintheozarks (espresso42@hotmail.com), December 29, 2001.

Hi Connie,

Three of my lamps are from Wal-Mart and have never had any trouble with the base getting hot. I use oil, not kerosene, in them.

-- Terry - NW Ohio (aunt_tm@hotmail.com), December 29, 2001.

Deena replied to Connie, and mentioned a site called tb2k...thought it might be another site like this, so checked it out, but found it was password only! Am I correct to assume it is an invitation only type site?

-- Joe (threearrs@hotmail.com), December 29, 2001.

Joe, the timebomb2000 web site may still be closed. They were having a problem with trolls and weren't allowing any new "members" (for lack of a better word)to register. It was my understanding that anyone could read the forum, but only those registered could post. Just be sure you are on the right one -- there are several boards by that name-- some are old, some are archives and some are back up boards. Just type in the above address. It is mostly preps, current events. Not too much like this board, but very interesting. Hope this helps, I don't know how to do a link to the site.

-- connie in nm (karrelandconnie@msn.com), December 29, 2001.

If you look in the Lehmans Catalog, "Our Best flat Wick Lamps" that's what I mean by pedestal lamps. I like these because the replacement burners and wick are inexpensive to replace. Lehmans has all the replacement parts, too.

My problem with the Lamplighter Farms may be because I use kerosene instead of lamp oil. The oil isn't cost effective for off grid or long term use. It goes fast!

My mom has some of the old round wick lamps that my grandma had. They put out better light, but replacement burners are expensive!

I have friends that use the miniature lamps for occasional use. They may work well in the bathroom . Lehmans has the replacement wicks for them, too.

-- Laura (LadybugWrangler@hotmail.com), December 29, 2001.

Joe, they have opened timebomb2000 back up for registration so you shouldn't have any trouble getting in. In fact, Connie was right, it's open to anyone to view it. A warning though, if you are a news junkie and/or into preparedness, timebomb is a very addicting site!

-- Deena in GA (dsmj55@aol.com), December 29, 2001.

and another thing I remember reading in an earlier post.

Try to stay away from the scented oils. It seems that they tend to mess up the wicks quicker, don't know why, but they seemed pretty adament on this.

-- j.r. guerra (jrguerra@boultinghousesimpson.com), January 02, 2002.