Natural alternatives like canola, vegetable, or olive oil can work in a pinch, but they tend to cause clogs. [2] X Research source Never use gasoline, Coleman fuel, white gas, paint thinner, wood alcohol, diesel, naphtha, turpentine, or any other explosive fuel in an oil lantern. [3] X Research source

Citronella oil is particularly useful on camping trips since it’s an effective mosquito deterrent. Paraffin oil is also an option, but it doesn’t burn well or as brightly.

Since spring-loaded lamps are sturdy and completely enclosed, they’re less likely to spill. You can use spring-loaded lamps indoors, too! Just remember to use clear kerosene or lamp oil when you’re inside. You can’t miss the fuel cap – it looks like a screw-off bottle cap.

Indoor lamps aren’t as sturdy as the spring-loaded variety. Don’t use them for camping or outdoor use unless you have to.

Oil volume expands as it heats up. If you fill the reservoir up all the way, the hot oil could overflow. [7] X Research source Oil lamps burn about 1 ounce (30 ml) of lamp oil or kerosene per hour. [8] X Research source

A dry wick creates a lot of smoke and burns unevenly, so it’s worth the wait!

The metal top of a spring-loaded oil lamp is called a chimney. If you have an indoor lamp, you don’t need to do anything. You removed the globe earlier to add the oil. If you happened to put the globe back on, just lift it off again.

You can lift the wick up more than this if you need better access to trim it. Just be sure to lower it back to the 1 in (2. 5 cm) point before lighting it!

Leaving the charred edge on your wick will create a lot of smoke.

Flat tip (slower burn, medium brightness) Round tip (cleaner burn, medium brightness) Double-point tip (very bright)[14] X Research source

If you had to unscrew the globe, be sure to screw it back in firmly. [16] X Research source

Once the wick is lit, just raise the lever back up to its original position. This lowers the globe into place.

If the wick is creating black smoke, the flame is too big.

It’s safe to hang a spring-loaded lantern from a nail or hook as long as it has a metal ring on top.

If your lamp is getting low on oil, extinguish the flame before adding more to prevent fire hazards. Never add oil to a lamp with an active flame. [21] X Research source