How a Hurricane Lantern Works

The Burner

• The lantern's burner combines the ratio of oxygen and kerosene, directly affecting the brightness of the lantern. The air to fuel ratio is controlled by the knob on the outside of the lantern.

Cold-Blast

• The cold-blast lantern is recognizable by the air outlet, or chimney, on the top of the lantern. This type of lantern brings in air from vents on top of the tubes; the air is then drawn down the tubes to the burner. As the hot air rises, it escapes through the top of the lantern. Cold-blast lanterns tend to burn brighter because of the higher level of oxygen contained in fresh air.

Hot-Blast

• The hot-blast lantern is designed to re-circulate the air through the lantern. As the heated air rises from the burner, it is directed into tubes sending it back to the burner. The disadvantage with this kind of lantern is that re-circulated air has less oxygen and outside air, causing it to produce a weaker flame.