You don't have to own a boat or a small lighthouse to appreciate the value of a nautical lantern. Whether you're feeling the need to be prepared in increasingly unstable geopolitical and erratic weather climates; whether you want a cheaper energy alternative or just want to spruce up your décor, the functionality and style of nautical lamps appeals to just about anyone.
Not all lanterns are created equal. Less expensive brands are generally brass-plated tin. Higher quality models are solid brass. To detect the difference, use a magnet to test it. If it sticks, there's tin underneath. If it doesn't, you're looking at solid brass.
Nautical lanterns in their purest form use kerosene or oil, two very economical fuel sources for light. I've gone through three or four winters on less than a gallon of lamp oil to adequately light whatever room I'm using. I prefer to burn cheap olive oil from our local cash and carry as opposed to a petroleum-based oil. I don't bother paying the price for extra virgin. There's no sense in burning an unnecessary hole in the budget, and it kind of defeats the economics aspect of using an alternative energy source.
Oil burning nautical lanterns provide fantastic alternative storm lighting. Oil lamps are a wonderful source of light and heat and much safer to use indoors than candles. Adjustable wicks allow you a full range of home lighting intensity. However, there are few steps you should take to use nautical lamps safely:
Fill the lamp outdoors away from combustibles and rowdy people or small children.
While still outdoors, light the wick and adjust the height by turning it up until the lamp starts to smoke and then by turning it back down until the smoking stops. This is the correct wick length for safe maximum lighting.
Place tabletop lanterns in a secure place where they will not be knocked over and don't leave them unattended around children or pets. Return wall mounted nautical lanterns to their designated mounts.
Make sure the lantern is away from combustibles and out of a draft to insure safe burning, less smoking and economical use of oil. Keep this in mind when you're deciding where to put a wall mounted oil lamp.
Crack a window while burning the lantern to circulate fresh air. If that isn't feasible, a sufficient number of houseplants can help return oxygen to indoor air. (I like to have one medium to large plant per every 10 square feet. I have them lining every windowsill, sitting on bookcases or shelves and hanging from the ceiling.)
Be sure to extinguish all lanterns before going to bed or leaving the house, even for a short period of time. Relighting them when you return is not that complicated or time consuming.
For those still squeamish about using flammable liquids in the house, but really like the style of nautical lanterns, there are a number of manufacturers who offer the electrical variety. You won't have the benefits of an alternative energy source, but you'll have an attractive decorating accent; and wired with a dimmer switch, you still have the adjustable lighting feature for economy and atmosphere.
Whether you're looking for an alternative light source during power outages or a way to add ambiance to a romantic evening, nautical lanterns offer a safe and inexpensive way to do either.
