A Mantle-to-Flame Gas-Light Conversion

Gas Flames

• A gas lamp that produces light using an open flame is a relatively simple mechanism. A metal stem allows gas to flow from a utility line to the burner, where the flow of gas is split into a shape that generates light as it burns. A valve allows the gas to be shut off, and the flame can be lit manually with a match. The lamp housing features glass walls that prevent wind from blowing the flame out.

Gas Mantles

• A gas mantle is a lamp that uses a small gas flame and a mantle to produce more light than the gas alone would produce. The mantle is a flexible piece of fabric netting, which is infused with various metals. When the mantle is heated by the small gas flame, the metals react chemically and produce light without generating much heat. The light from a mantle is much brighter than the light being produced by the relatively small gas flame. This allows for more efficient light production, saving money on fuel and allowing a portable gas lamp to burn longer with a limited fuel supply.

Conversion

• A gas mantle can be converted into a lamp that gets all of its light from a flame alone. Mantles can be easily removed when the lamp is shut off and cool enough to touch. After removing the mantle, you may be able to open the gas valve to its full position. If this produces a flame large enough light the room, no further alterations are needed. If the flame is still too small, you can unscrew the burner and replace it with a stem adapter that allows the same gas line to port more fuel to the burner for a brighter open flame.

Additional Insight

• By reversing the mantle-to-flame conversion process you can convert an open gas flame to a gas mantle lamp. Gas mantles are more efficient than open gas flames when it comes to producing visible light. The only reason to convert a mantle to an open flame is for the traditional look of an open, flickering gas flame, as opposed to the softer glow of a mantle.