The 8 Best Oil Lamps
This wiki has been updated 27 times since it was first published in December of 2018. One of the fastest ways to create a warm, inviting atmosphere in your home is to use one of these oil lamps, an energy-saving alternative to harsh lighting. Not only that, but many double as emergency preparedness and camping supplies, giving you multiple functions for your investment. Just remember that you shouldn't combine fuels, place them near flammable items, or use them without ventilation. When users buy our independently chosen editorial picks, we may earn commissions to help fund the Wiki.
1. Vermont Lanterns Brass Mini
2. Danforth Pewter Captain
3. Crisa Clear Pedestal
Editor's Notes
March 03, 2021:
We made some significant changes this time around, partly because some of our previous recommendations went out of production. We also removed the Coleman One-Mantle, partially because there are plenty of worthwhile options to choose from that use refined lamp oil, and partially because the Coleman is difficult to get your hands on now.
Among the newcomers to the list are the Danforth Pewter Captain, which is about as good-looking as anything out there. Similarly, the Crisa Clear Pedestal gives on an especially elegant air, and doesn't cost a fortune considering how nice it looks. Even the Vermont Lanterns Brass Mini, which retained the top spot, is especially fancy, and it also happens to be highly affordable.
For something even less conventional, the Firefly Modern Transcend and its all-glass body are hard to beat, as is the Colibrox Wine Candle, which lets you turn your favorite empty bottles into lamps. On the other hand, the Dietz #1 Little Wizard and Dietz #76 Original are about as utilitarian as they come, and the Autorch Tabletop kit lets you light up an outdoor area with even more rustic lamps, this time made almost completely out of mason jars and lids.
December 17, 2018:
Added favorites from Vermont Lanterns, Coleman, and Danforth Pewter, all of which were made to last a long time and function without unnecessary hassles. Also selected models for ever-popular Mason jar and wine bottle lamps, the Creative Hobbies Chimney Holders and Firefly Wine Bottle Lamp Kit, respectively.
Special Honors
Vermont Lanterns A single, family-owned shop based in none other than the state of Vermont, this company offers an impressive selection of styles, including hurricane and table lamps, as well as hanging lamps that can turn a modern space into a vintage scene with the strike of a match. They even offer a line of intricate, vintage-style nautical lamps, and if you're not able to burn open flames but still want a classic look, their old-style electric lanterns are nothing to sneeze at, either. vermontlanterns.com
Epalladio Art Workshop Forget the rustic, wild, wild, West - these antique-style creations are replicas of some of the world's oldest known oil lamps, originating from many thousands of years ago. They offer a surprisingly wide variety of authentically designed, period-appropriate lamps, including not only Greek-style models, but also the pomegranate designs once popular in the far east. epalladioartworkshop.com
4. Autorch Tabletop
5. Dietz #76 Original
6. Firefly Modern Transcend
7. Colibrox Wine Candle
8. Dietz #1 Little Wizard
Building PCs, remodeling, and cooking since he was young, quasi-renowned trumpeter Christopher Thomas traveled the USA performing at and organizing shows from an early age. His work experiences led him to open a catering company, eventually becoming a sous chef in several fine LA restaurants. He enjoys all sorts of barely necessary gadgets, specialty computing, cutting-edge video games, and modern social policy. He has given talks on debunking pseudoscience, the Dunning-Kruger effect, culinary technique, and traveling. After two decades of product and market research, Chris has a keen sense of what people want to know and how to explain it clearly. He delights in parsing complex subjects for anyone who will listen -- because teaching is the best way to ensure that you understand things yourself.