How to Use an Oil Lamp With a Wick

Inspect the oil lamp for damage. Make sure there are no chips or cracks in the glass. Check that the wick reaches the bottom of the lamp oil reservoir. Turn the wick knob up or down until 1/4 inch section of wick appears above the metal slot where the wick feeds through into the glass chimney.

Remove the reservoir cap from the oil lamp. Slowly pour lamp oil into the reservoir until the oil level is 1 inch from the rim of the threaded base where the reservoir cap screws into place. Allow one hour for the wick to absorb the oil.

Look at the soaked wick and make sure 1/4 inch is still above the wick feed. If the wick is too high or too low, use the wick knob on the side of the wick feed to raise or lower the wick.

Remove the glass chimney from the lamp. In some models, you lift a lever to release the glass; in others you gently pull up on the glass to release the glass from the clips that secure it in place. Removing the glass allows you to access the wick.

Strike a match against the strip on the side of a box of matches or against the strip on the back of a book of matches. Once the match ignites, touch it against the corner of the wick. Wait for the wick to catch fire. Remove and blow out the match.

Replace the glass chimney over the wick. Set the oil lamp in a safe area away from children and pets. Use the wick knob to lower or raise the wick as needed to adjust the glow.

Extinguish the wick after use by using the extinguisher lever. If your model does not have this lever, use a pot holder and lift the glass out of the way while you blow out the wick.