Listen to the article
Here’s my advice for choosing the best oil lamps for indoor use and emergency preparedness.
Updated November 2025.
Some people call it a hurricane lamp or an oil lantern. Most people are referring to an oil lamp with a glass chimney protecting the flame (more accurately called a Hurricane Lamp). These lamps shimmer with ambiance and nostalgia while performing a basic function: lighting up the dark.
Contents (Jump to a Section)
Let me know in the comments your favorite Oil Lamps / Hurricane Lamps. Do you prefer a particular brand? Have you had problems with a specific brand/model?
An oil lamp is a practical emergency lighting source. It burns brighter and longer than an ordinary candle, making it a cost-effective indoor light source.
Read the Safety Tips below for indoor use!
The following is information, tips, recommendations for the best oil lamps, and an estimated fuel cost per hour (I did the math). For prepping and preparedness, I would not be without one. I have several!
Frequently Asked Questions About Oil Lamps (Hurricane Lamps)
Oil lamps are primarily used for emergency lighting, outdoor ambiance, and off-grid living. They provide dependable light when electricity isn’t available, add a warm decorative glow to outdoor spaces, and serve as a practical lighting option for camping or rural areas.
Yes. Oil lamps are one of the most reliable lighting sources during power outages or storms. Just be sure to keep extra lamp oil and wicks on hand and operate the lamp safely in a well-ventilated area.
Absolutely. Many people use hurricane lamps on patios, porches, or gardens for their soft, flickering light and classic look. They’re popular for outdoor dinners, rustic decor, and vintage-themed events.
Yes. Oil lamps are often used while camping or in off-grid cabins. They offer steady, wind-resistant light and can sometimes help repel insects depending on the type of oil used. Use common-sense safety measures.
Although people often use the terms interchangeably, there is a technical difference.
An oil lamp is any lamp that burns liquid fuel through a wick to produce light. A hurricane lamp is a type of oil lamp specifically designed to protect the flame from wind and drafts, featuring a glass chimney or globe and often a metal base with a handle. In short, all hurricane lamps are oil lamps, but not all oil lamps are hurricane lamps. The confusion exists because many modern lamps are sold under both names.
Why Choose an Oil Lamp for Indoor Lighting?
An oil lamp is one of the safest and most reliable options for indoor lighting. It works without electricity, making it ideal during power outages or emergencies, and provides a steady, warm light that’s brighter and longer-lasting than a candle. When fueled with clean, low-odor oil, a hurricane lamp can burn safely indoors for hours. Oil lamps are cost-effective. A single gallon of oil can provide more than 250 hours of light and add a cozy, vintage atmosphere to any space. Their simplicity, durability, and versatility make them an excellent choice for both everyday use and emergency preparedness.
How Bright are Oil Lamps
An oil lamp burns brighter than a candle. Its brightness varies from lamp to lamp (due to design and wick size). Oil lamps produce better indoor light than a candle, with several (and more!) times the candlepower (or lumens).
Oil Lantern Candlepower – Lumens
Candlepower is an old standard of light intensity or relative brightness, referring to the light from a candle of specific size and constituents. It’s an obsolete measurement; today, we use “lumens.”
I found a chart that lists candlepower and lumens (relative brightness) for kerosene lamps based on wick size (width). Here are a few examples of their brightness.
Oil Lamp Wick versus Brightness / Lumens
| Flat-wick width | Candlepower | Lumens |
| 3/8″ | 4 | 50 |
| 1/2″ | 7 | 88 |
| 5/8″ | 9 | 113 |
| 3/4″ | 10 | 125 |
| 7/8″–1″ | 12 | 151 |
Best Oil Lamps
It’s subjective. I recommend avoiding cheap products, especially when indoor safety is a concern. I recommend any of the following brands. Vermont Lanterns is a USA family business. Dietz, perhaps a budget brand, has a long history that began in Brooklyn, NY, though it is currently made in China. Feuerhand, a well-known German brand, is a great choice too.
Authentic Vermont Lanterns
An interesting variety of small oil lamps/lanterns.
“We have been selling Oil Lamps & Lanterns since 1998. We started small, with the idea of bringing a unique product to the market that that people would want for outdoor living and emergency lighting. The business was born in our barn, and has steadily grown year after year. We are proud to have thousands of satisfied customers over the years.”
This company has quite a lineup of various oil lamps/lanterns. You might have a look at their popular Dorset Table Lamp, which comes in 8″, 10″, or 12″ heights.
As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.
(no extra cost) Thank you
Solid brass. Wick size 1/2″ (88 lumens from the chart above). Burn time, 30 hours:
>> Brass Dorset Table Lamp (12″)
>> ALL Vermont Lanterns
Dietz Hurricane Lantern – One of the best budget choices
A good-quality, relatively inexpensive brand of oil lamps. The Dietz.
>> Dietz #80 – Most Popular
>> ALL Dietz Lanterns
Dietz storefront on Amazon
It’s a classic design. Dietz Lanterns was founded in 1840 by 22-year-old Robert Edwin Dietz in Brooklyn, NY. They were manufactured in Syracuse until 1971, when production moved to Hong Kong. Then, in 1982, the Dietz lantern factory moved from Hong Kong to China. Dietz Lanterns developed a reputation worldwide as “The Old Reliable.”
Given its original design, the Dietz has been considered one of the best hurricane lanterns for more than a century.
Caution: You can get cheaper oil lamps than this. But my experience and others’ suggest cheap ones often have problems and could even be dangerous. I’ve bought the cheap ones before. They leak. It didn’t happen right away, but they still leaked. That’s not good! Today I have a variety, including Dietz, Feuerhand, and others.
Feuerhand Oil Lamps From Germany
>> Feuerhand Lanterns
Storefront on Amazon
Their hurricane lanterns, made in Germany, have been around for ~125 years. They make several different models. The ‘Baby Special 276’ is very popular. It’s 10 inches tall and comes in a variety of colors. They say it holds enough fuel for 20 hours of 3.5-candlepower light. I have one (among others) and like it.
Best Lamp Oil For Indoors
How much oil will a hurricane lamp /oil lamp burn? Mine generally burns about 0.5 ounces per hour.
Indoor Lamp Oil: A hurricane lamp may burn a variety of oils. There are also purpose-made ‘smokeless’ lamp oils available.
UPDATE: I have been recommending Firefly hurricane lamp oil, which is OK and great. I did find another lamp oil for indoor use. It’s one of the most well-reviewed Clean, Smokeless, Odorless products. Made in the USA.
>> 1-Gallon Ultra Clean Burning Oil
Shabbos on Amazon
Cost Per Hour
It is best sold by the gallon (128 ounces). Based on the current price, my calculated operating cost is about $0.19 (19 cents) per hour.
(Note that some lamp oil will burn faster or slower than others.)
One gallon will last about 256 hours. If you burned 6 hours a day, one gallon of lamp oil would last you about 42 days (for example).
My ‘rule-of-thumb’ for preparedness is 1 gallon of lamp oil per month (per lamp). That’s for full-time (night-time) operation.
The nice thing about these lamps is that they can burn all sorts of vegetable oils. Again, a factor is the wick itself. I’ve tried this a few times. Generally, vegetable oil went up the wick more slowly, and the wick charred more. But it worked.
Will Lamp Oil Go Bad?
It’s safe to say that lamp oil has an indefinite shelf life. We’re not cooking with it—we’re burning it. Even if you’re using old olive oil that has gone rancid, it won’t matter to the lantern.
Lamp Oil Tips
1. OLD VEGETABLE OIL
If you have old (rancid) olive oil (for example), you can burn that too. Your results may vary depending on the wick’s properties.
2. FUEL LEVEL
Keep the tank at least half full for optimal wicking.
3. CITRONELLA
Use Citronella oil on the porch during the summertime. Bugs don’t like it…
>> Firefly Citronella Scented Lamp Oil
(Firefly Oil on Amazon)
Oil Lamp Wick Tips
The wick itself doesn’t burn. The oil burns as it’s drawn up the wick. The top edge chars.
Tip: Trim the charred edge of the wick before starting a new burn.
Trim the wick to a point for the brightest light and least smoke. Cut an angle on each side such that the middle is the point.
Some people like the flame curved and cutting an arc into the wick, while others prefer a straight cut across.
A wick will last longer if it is drawing lamp oil properly.
Tip: If the flame height is adjusted too high, the flame may smoke.
Find your replacement wicks on Amazon:
1/4-inch
3/8-inch
1/2-inch
3/4-inch
7/8-inch
1-inch
Indoor Oil Lamp Safety
Fire Hazard
It produces a flame. Take all logical and common-sense precautions to ensure fire safety. Every home should be equipped with fire extinguishers, regardless.
UPDATE: Regardless of which brand of oil lamp you have, please regularly check it for leakage. Check the base and edges. Make sure there’s no oil weeping anywhere.
Safety Tips
1. PLACEMENT
Consider the lamp’s location. It should be in a place where it’s less likely to be bumped or knocked over. If you have children or pets at home, be concerned and careful about that!
2. CHIMNEY
The chimney will get very hot – even after it’s ‘off’ for a while, so be careful.
3. PROXIMITY
The heat radiating from the top of the chimney can ignite flammable materials close above it.
4. REFILLING
Don’t add oil to a flaming or hot lamp.
5. CLEANING
Clean the chimney as soot builds up.
6. EXTINGUISHING
Putting out the flame. Blow a quick burst of air down the chimney. Cup your hand at the top edge of the chimney. This will help direct the air blast.
Do Oil Lamps Produce Carbon Monoxide?
Combustion produces carbon monoxide. The question is, how much? It depends on fuel, burn efficiency, exhaust, etc. Some fuels produce little (e.g., butane stove).
Yes, an oil lamp emits some carbon monoxide. People have relied on these lamps for thousands of years, and we’re still here.
I recommend having a carbon monoxide detector in your home, one with a battery backup, regardless of whether you have an oil lamp.
I use this one:
>> FIRST ALERT CO Detector
Written by an emergency preparedness lifestyleist with decades of experience.
Related Articles:
Carbon Monoxide – Symptoms & Recommendations
Single Burner Butane Stove Safer For Cooking Indoors
Do-It-Yourself Olive Oil Lamp
Read the full article here
13 Comments
The use of oil lamps for outdoor ambiance and decorative purposes is a great point, they can add a warm and classic glow to patios, porches, or gardens.
I’ve been considering getting an oil lamp for emergency preparedness, do you think it’s worth investing in a high-quality lamp or are cheaper options available?
I appreciate the safety tips for indoor use, it’s essential to operate the lamp in a well-ventilated area to avoid any potential hazards.
Absolutely, safety should always be the top priority when using oil lamps, especially during power outages or emergencies.
I’m curious about the different types of oil that can be used in oil lamps, are there any specific recommendations for indoor or outdoor use?
The comparison between oil lamps and candles is interesting, oil lamps do burn brighter and longer, making them a more cost-effective option in the long run.
The FAQ section is helpful in addressing common questions about oil lamps, such as their uses and safety precautions.
I’ve had problems with a specific brand of oil lamp in the past, the wick would often get clogged and the lamp would produce a lot of smoke.
Sorry to hear that, which brand was it and did you find a solution or switch to a different brand?
I’ve been using oil lamps for camping and they’re indeed reliable and wind-resistant, I’ve also noticed that certain types of oil can help repel insects.
That’s really useful to know, what type of oil have you found to be most effective for insect repellent?
The distinction between an oil lamp and a hurricane lamp is often misunderstood, but as you pointed out, a hurricane lamp is specifically designed to protect the flame from wind and drafts with a glass chimney or globe.
The estimated fuel cost per hour is a crucial factor to consider when choosing an oil lamp, have you found that the cost-effectiveness of oil lamps outweighs the initial investment?