How dangerous is a Coleman lantern?

[Alpo]

I was watching a trailer for a '37 Republic Serial called SOS Coast Guard. There's a scene with a buncha men on the deck of a boat in a big storm. They're all wearing their souwesters and the waves are ten feet or so higher than the rails on the boat.

And there's some guy there holding a Coleman lantern. About 14 seconds in. https://archive.org/details/SosCoastGuardTrailer

That just made me think, "Huh?"

Battery light? Sure. Kerosene lantern? Drop it, it breaks, starts fire, next wave puts the fire out. No problem.

PRESSURIZED GASOLINE LANTERN gets dropped. BOOM?

Anybody know? I've used 'em for years, but I ain't never dropped one.

 

[therevjay]

Never thought of that. Good question.

 

[Old TexMex]

Is that a Patridge sight on the gun?

 

[nagant]

I still use them. Dropping won't cause explosions, bad valve packing/gaskets will cause a fireball. Not understanding the shutdown procedure will. Don't unscrew the fuel cap while lit or next to another that is or any open flame. you can turn them upside down while burning if you want. I like the kero models as they are safer and cheaper to run.

[/URL][/IMG] that's a odd ball wwII lantern heres a little bit of everything pressured thank goodness for thefireman

 

[wbraswell]

They are just like a lot of things, they are as dangerous as the person using it. I know a couple of people, that if they were going to fill and light a Coleman lantern, I would leave the area.

 

[nagant]

He who cast's the first lantern

 

[nawilson]

In six or seven years of monthly use, the pyromaniacs in my Boy Scout troop didn't blow up anything or anybody, so they can't be too dangerous.

 

[J. R. WEEMS]

I was watching a trailer for a '37 Republic Serial called SOS Coast Guard. There's a scene with a buncha men on the deck of a boat in a big storm. They're all wearing their souwesters and the waves are ten feet or so higher than the rails on the boat.

And there's some guy there holding a Coleman lantern. About 14 seconds in. https://archive.org/details/SosCoastGuardTrailer

That just made me think, "Huh?"

Battery light? Sure. Kerosene lantern? Drop it, it breaks, starts fire, next wave puts the fire out. No problem.

PRESSURIZED GASOLINE LANTERN gets dropped. BOOM?

Anybody know? I've used 'em for years, but I ain't never dropped one.

I still have my old ones from 40+ years ago-- don't use them, but could if I had to-- priced fuel lately?? Never dropped one and never had a problem with one either--

 

[NE450No2]

I have used a Coleman lantern quite a bit.

Yes they can be dangerous, so is a screwdriver, a toothpick, a hammer, and anything that plugs into the wall...

I have never had any problems with one.

 

[Bkreutz]

In six or seven years of monthly use, the pyromaniacs in my Boy Scout troop didn't blow up anything or anybody, so they can't be too dangerous.

The acid test I think pyromania is a prerequisite to membership.

 

[shouldazagged]

Don't use them indoors without plenty of ventilation. I can tell you from long-ago experience that they emit some carbon monoxide.

 

[moe smith]

PRESSURIZED GASOLINE LANTERN gets dropped. BOOM?

Anybody know? I've used 'em for years, but I ain't never dropped one.

Most people don't know this but before the war there was a Top Secret undertaking called "The Coleman Project". This is a short of one of the tests....

Nuclear Explosion 2 - YouTube

 

[Grayfox]

I spent 12 years as a Scout Leader and I've seen 'em drop, fall, roll and flip. Never an explosion or uncontroled fire. The fire does tend to burn a bit weird if the globe or mantle are damaged, but as long as you stay calm and just shut it off all is fine.
These things are well built and tough. I'm guessing you would have to rupture the gas system before there's any real danger.

 

[wildenout]

Dad had several growing up, the propane ones that is, poor guy was always having to buy a new one every year or so because something unfortunate would happen to it (my poor Dad's whole life is full of those "unfortunates" and I love him cuz he always smiles about it).
I remember one in particular though, we went night fishing on Lake Mead with my 2 uncles and a neighbor. Dad drove out, we stopped in a place we'd been before and he set up his Coleman on the engine cover towards the back of the boat. Started fishing, and one of my uncles (6'5" 250) accidentally knocks in into the water. We all ran to the back and watched it sink, funny part was it stayed lit till about 50-60 ft. down haha. Those Lanterns were pretty sturdy!!!!

 

[BobC357]

I've used a gas lantern for years. The glass gets very hot very fast so I would be concerned about cold water splashing onto it. The biggest thing is they get hot -- very hot so, don't grab one by the top or the handle if it has been suspended by it.

 

[Alpo]

Now, the cold water on the glass - that I know something about.

Boy Scouts. Summer camp. Seventeen years old (that means "extremely damn stupid", right?).

Squirt gun filled from melt in ice chest, shooting lantern glass to watch the steam appear.

squirt - PSSSSHHHH. squirt - PSSSSHHHHH.

Glass never broke. I don't know why.

 

[beerbelly]

Coleman lanterns and stoves are great! Collecting, using, and spending quality fettle time is my other hobby.
They are very safe if used properly.
Nagant is right-NEVER unscrew the fuel cap when the lantern or stove is lit.
beerbelly

 

[arch stanton]

I do know that if you don't let them cool down sufficiently before disassembly, that little knurled nut on the top will brand your thumb and fore finger very well.

 

[Wingmaster]

I still use them too. I had one drop about 8 feet from the ridge pole of our tent to the ground. It broke the glass but didn't blow up or anything else. I bought a new globe and filled it up and it still works fine.

I love them. All of my hunting camp stuff is old school. just the way I like it.

Wingmaster

 

[rwsmith]

I think.....

I think 999 times out of a thousand it wouldn't explode but I guess there's the chance.

I'm more worried about fumes indoors or in my tent if it's sealed up, especially if I fall asleep while it's turned on.

Nowadays I use a fluorescent light that looks like a Coleman in the tent and it does a good job, even for reading.