How to Trim a Kerosene Lamp Wick

Kerosene lanterns provide good emergency lighting in a power outage, are great for camping and give a nice romantic glow of nostalgia. Most people however do not know how to properly trim or maintain a lamp wick.

Difficulty: Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• lamp wick
• kerosene lamp
• scissors

1. 
    
   trim a wick

   Take a new wick and trim it like a you would trim a fingernail (see image below). Cut the top straight and trim the ends in a slight curve. A straight cut wick will not burn completely and be smoky, often sooting up the glass chimney. A pointed wick will burn hot, fast and give out little light.

2. 
    
   right wick heigth

   The wick should be lit at the height of approximately 1/8 inch. This will regulate the burn for good light and slow burn. When re-lighting a kerosene lamp, use a wooden match and knock off the burned carbon and readjust the height to 1/8 inch again.

3. 
    
   Lantern

   Kerosene safety:
   
   Fill lanterns and lamps outside, using a funnel or fuel bulb. Use only kerosene or lamp oil. Clean up spills. Clean up all fuel spilt on your lamp or lantern to prevent an unwanted fire.
   
   Keep lamps and lanterns away from children and animals. Be aware of placement by window drapes and curtains, clothing and papers.
   
   Lamp mantals (glass chimneys) get very hot. Blow out the lamp and let cool before removing.

Tips & Warnings

• Only use kerosene or lamp oil in kerosene lamps or lanterns
• glass chimneys get very hot.
• do not leave lit lamps unattended or lit while sleeping
• be aware of flammables such as curtains, drapes, blankets and paper around open flames.
• Kerosene or lamp oil should be added with a funnel, any spills cleaned up and the fuel kept well away from lit lamps.
• Keep all kerosene lamps and lanterns away from children, candle lanterns are much safer for children and should also only be used if supervised.