Really good channel, great content. I like the no nonsense approach. I'm a collector too, but I live in the UK so Coleman lanterns and stoves aren't as common as in the US. Subbed, keep it going!
Careful with removing that bail. Many globes have been cracked by those damn things! Denatured alcohol or “heet” words really well. Lifetime Coleman collector here. Proud owner of the following models: 200a GB, burg and BB, 242k, 242c, 249 scout, 247 CPR, 241G, 639, 237, 236, 234, 227, 327, 427 and of course the 228 and 220. I love watching lantern videos from other people. Yours is excellent quality. And you are right that other people make lighting a kerosene lantern much harder than it really is.
Hi Curtis. Yeah, that bail is a struggle for sure. Only reason to take it out on this episode was to show what the lantern looks like under the hood...and this one has got to be the springiest one I've run into. Even all the exposure to heat has not made it lose its springyness. Denatured Alcohol (seen at 6:55) is indeed what I use. Methanol (Heet) also works great, but I stick with the Alcohol as it is much cheaper in bulk, and I use it a lot for cleaning out the residue out of old founts. Works amazing!
One thing I did different on my lantern was put one of those little flint sparkers made to light lanterns without matches. It slides right up to the alcohol cup and with a twist it's lit. Works great and you don't get that poof of fire. I know about that heat. I live in Texas too. Nice
If my vintage 237 has still has a good vent (little to no porcelain missing) I’ll always remove the vent so as to not damage it via the pre-heat burn. On other hand if the vent is rough (missing porcelain) I’ll light the pre-heat cup like you did, not removing the vent.
An alcohol flame burns at a lower temperature than Kerosene, not to mention how much more intense a pressurized kerosene vapor flame is than alcohol burning in open air. You're more likely to damage the vent by taking it off and on than just leaving it be. If anything, the start up heat from the alcohol flame starts bringing the vent up to temp, rather than subjecting it to the sudden thermal shock of putting the vent back on. TL;DR just leave the vent on :)
Great vid, thanks. A little off topic but I’ve a question about the Coleman 639 kerosene lantern. I just bought one in Ireland in an antique shop, it appears to be in perfect condition and is even full of fuel! I inspected the inside of hood and there is very slight shooting so I think it was only lit once. It’s stamped 1-73 on base and on the box made in Canada. The control knob ( plastic one )was quite stiff at first but now turns ok. The pump rubber is perfect however it’s very hard to push air down the pump. I would like to get your opinion on why this might be and any remedy. I suspect the check valve has frozen due to lack of use over the last 50yrs. Have you had this issue ? Another thing is that the fuel is probably also 50yrs old could that have damaged the check valve ? Apologies for long winded question. Thanks in advance.
First question is did you unscrew the pump knob 1 turn before you tried to pump it? Not sure of your experience level, so my apologies if you know this already. Check valve could get stuck, but that's kinda unlikely. You could remove the pump and then squirt some carb cleaner down the pump tube and let it sit overnight. You may also have a plugged air tube that comes out of the pump inside the fount. The only way I've heard of people fixing those is to fabricate a fitting that they can attach a grease gun to, and then use that to force the plug through.
@@gasunderpressure9131 Thank you. I hadn’t done that. I’m fairly new to lanterns and this is my first Coleman. I did what you said and it’s working fine now. I don’t have a mantle yet but still lit it. Is that safe on these ? Ie doing a Bunsen burn.
I really like you stand by the Coleman method and so perfectly demonstrated the results of doing it correctly! I just ordered my first 237 (early with nickel) and am so looking forward to rebuilding it and getting it burning like yours!!! Does "Lamp Oil" burn any better??
Nice choice! The nickel founts are really nice and look great when in use. I wouldn't bother with lamp oil. It is heavier and would be more problematic to get started. It's also more expensive. I use Crown 1-K and it works great. I've used Kleen-strip 1-K, but I only use it in pressure lamps because you can get a runaway in a wick lamp. If you run into any troubles rebuilding yours, just write a note here and I'll help ya out.
Thanks so much for the informative video. My wife just picked up a 237E at the Local Goodwill. Just curious what makes the E model different. I'll be researching in the meantime. Thanks again!
Thanks so much for this. Great vid. So one question that comes to mind- Is this lantern only meant to be used with Kerosene or could you use a Coleman fuel as well? Thanks for any insight.
I believe the valve on them is different, but I haven't seen one to confirm this. Missed out on the Christmas sale last year, whoops. I'm a big fan of the pre-Schrader valve setups. I've got lamps that are nearing 100 years old and the valve still works fine and the packing seals perfectly. Pretty much any lantern that's running fine now will be running fine after i'm wormdirt! :)
Hello,my coleman 237 is leaking at the tip of generator and it drips into my heating cup and creates a humongous fire ball mt generator tip is tight and generator is tight and my generator is new,any suggestions? Thanks
Sounds to me like you're not preheating it long enough. Fill the preheat cup with denatured alcohol and let it burn almost all the way out before you crank the knob open.
@@gasunderpressure9131 Sir, you were absolutely 💯 percent right i was lighting it too early around 2 mins this time I let burn up denatured alcohol for around 4mins,had pressure in tank cranked it up and it was a thing of beauty! Mine is dated 67 so its my birthday year.thank you for answering my question, PS, She burned nice and bright 🌞!
? I have a 237 everything original the globe even says Coleman on the globe tank is in good shape lights up has the Coleman engraved on the tank says at the top 237 under it 237 -299 I believe what's it actually worth
Excellent job; people are so afraid of this lantern being hard to light - but I see it as the simplest made lantern- and with patience; easy to light.
Really good channel, great content. I like the no nonsense approach. I'm a collector too, but I live in the UK so Coleman lanterns and stoves aren't as common as in the US. Subbed, keep it going!
Careful with removing that bail. Many globes have been cracked by those damn things! Denatured alcohol or “heet” words really well.
Lifetime Coleman collector here.
Proud owner of the following models: 200a GB, burg and BB, 242k, 242c, 249 scout, 247 CPR, 241G, 639, 237, 236, 234, 227, 327, 427 and of course the 228 and 220.
I love watching lantern videos from other people. Yours is excellent quality. And you are right that other people make lighting a kerosene lantern much harder than it really is.
Hi Curtis. Yeah, that bail is a struggle for sure. Only reason to take it out on this episode was to show what the lantern looks like under the hood...and this one has got to be the springiest one I've run into. Even all the exposure to heat has not made it lose its springyness. Denatured Alcohol (seen at 6:55) is indeed what I use. Methanol (Heet) also works great, but I stick with the Alcohol as it is much cheaper in bulk, and I use it a lot for cleaning out the residue out of old founts. Works amazing!
One thing I did different on my lantern was put one of those little flint sparkers made to light lanterns without matches. It slides right up to the alcohol cup and with a twist it's lit. Works great and you don't get that poof of fire. I know about that heat. I live in Texas too. Nice
Really good channel , I have a good collection of old coleman lanterns,my oldest is a 1949 railroad lantern!
Great Video! Thanks for sharing.
If my vintage 237 has still has a good vent (little to no porcelain missing) I’ll always remove the vent so as to not damage it via the pre-heat burn. On other hand if the vent is rough (missing porcelain) I’ll light the pre-heat cup like you did, not removing the vent.
An alcohol flame burns at a lower temperature than Kerosene, not to mention how much more intense a pressurized kerosene vapor flame is than alcohol burning in open air. You're more likely to damage the vent by taking it off and on than just leaving it be. If anything, the start up heat from the alcohol flame starts bringing the vent up to temp, rather than subjecting it to the sudden thermal shock of putting the vent back on.
TL;DR just leave the vent on :)
new subscriber, great video thanks for sharing 👍
Great vid, thanks. A little off topic but I’ve a question about the Coleman 639 kerosene lantern. I just bought one in Ireland in an antique shop, it appears to be in perfect condition and is even full of fuel! I inspected the inside of hood and there is very slight shooting so I think it was only lit once. It’s stamped 1-73 on base and on the box made in Canada. The control knob ( plastic one )was quite stiff at first but now turns ok. The pump rubber is perfect however it’s very hard to push air down the pump. I would like to get your opinion on why this might be and any remedy. I suspect the check valve has frozen due to lack of use over the last 50yrs. Have you had this issue ? Another thing is that the fuel is probably also 50yrs old could that have damaged the check valve ? Apologies for long winded question. Thanks in advance.
First question is did you unscrew the pump knob 1 turn before you tried to pump it? Not sure of your experience level, so my apologies if you know this already. Check valve could get stuck, but that's kinda unlikely. You could remove the pump and then squirt some carb cleaner down the pump tube and let it sit overnight. You may also have a plugged air tube that comes out of the pump inside the fount. The only way I've heard of people fixing those is to fabricate a fitting that they can attach a grease gun to, and then use that to force the plug through.
@@gasunderpressure9131 Thank you. I hadn’t done that. I’m fairly new to lanterns and this is my first Coleman. I did what you said and it’s working fine now. I don’t have a mantle yet but still lit it. Is that safe on these ? Ie doing a Bunsen burn.
I really like you stand by the Coleman method and so perfectly demonstrated the results of doing it correctly! I just ordered my first 237 (early with nickel) and am so looking forward to rebuilding it and getting it burning like yours!!! Does "Lamp Oil" burn any better??
Nice choice! The nickel founts are really nice and look great when in use. I wouldn't bother with lamp oil. It is heavier and would be more problematic to get started. It's also more expensive. I use Crown 1-K and it works great. I've used Kleen-strip 1-K, but I only use it in pressure lamps because you can get a runaway in a wick lamp. If you run into any troubles rebuilding yours, just write a note here and I'll help ya out.
@@gasunderpressure9131 Thank You
Thanks so much for the informative video. My wife just picked up a 237E at the Local Goodwill. Just curious what makes the E model different. I'll be researching in the meantime. Thanks again!
Hm. Are you sure it isn't a 237B? An E model was never made to my recollection.
@@gasunderpressure9131 yep, I was wrong. It’s a 237A.
Thanks so much for this. Great vid.
So one question that comes to mind- Is this lantern only meant to be used with Kerosene or could you use a Coleman fuel as well? Thanks for any insight.
You're welcome! Yes, Kerosene lanterns can run on Coleman fuel...just not the other way around.
I have the Coleman 220E. It belonged to my uncle. I know it works. Do you know what kinda fuel does it takes ? Can it run off of kerosene?
All of the 220's take Coleman Fuel/White Gas. They will not run on Kerosene. They don't have a preheat cup or the right generator for it to work.
I wonder if there is any difference between yours and the new ones?
I believe the valve on them is different, but I haven't seen one to confirm this. Missed out on the Christmas sale last year, whoops. I'm a big fan of the pre-Schrader valve setups. I've got lamps that are nearing 100 years old and the valve still works fine and the packing seals perfectly. Pretty much any lantern that's running fine now will be running fine after i'm wormdirt! :)
Hi: can you convert a white gas lantern to Kerosene?
You can if there's a Kerosene generator for that lantern and you use a preheat cup.
Can I use that for a little heater?
Sure, as long as there is adequate ventilation. Might be a bit bright to sleep with though!
Hello,my coleman 237 is leaking at the tip of generator and it drips into my heating cup and creates a humongous fire ball mt generator tip is tight and generator is tight and my generator is new,any suggestions? Thanks
Sounds to me like you're not preheating it long enough. Fill the preheat cup with denatured alcohol and let it burn almost all the way out before you crank the knob open.
@@gasunderpressure9131 ok,ill try again on another day,is it normal for that to occur before heating up generator?
@@gasunderpressure9131 Sir, you were absolutely 💯 percent right i was lighting it too early around 2 mins this time I let burn up denatured alcohol for around 4mins,had pressure in tank cranked it up and it was a thing of beauty! Mine is dated 67 so its my birthday year.thank you for answering my question, PS, She burned nice and bright 🌞!
? I have a 237 everything original the globe even says Coleman on the globe tank is in good shape lights up has the Coleman engraved on the tank says at the top 237 under it 237 -299 I believe what's it actually worth
I always go to ebay completed sales to see what the market is currently paying.