When it comes to camping lanterns, many new campers become confused by the gear, gadgets and equipment. However, the camping lantern is often over an often overlooked source of light and heat and comfort.

When selecting a camping lantern, you have to keep in mind the applications, advantages and disadvantages of each. Here is a checklist of things to remember for each major type of lantern. Getting caught in the wilderness unprepared makes for a horrible outing.

Kerosene Camping Lanterns

Most people are familiar with the traditional kerosene lantern, especially the venerable Coleman outdoor lanterns, which are still produced today. Kerosene lanterns have a reservoir to hold liquid fuel that is fed via air pressure into a mantle where it burns brightly until the wick is broken or the fuel supply or air is exhausted.

Plenty of fuel
Extra mantles
Fire extinguisher
Long strike anywhere matches
Spare Globe
If you want a safer alternative and do not care about the heat, then you might want to consider a propane lantern.

Propane Camping Lanterns

Propane lanterns work in much the same way as kerosene camping lanterns, except that the fuel is supplied by a propane cylinder. This provides a safer alternative to using a flammable liquid for fuel.

Extra fuel cylinders or a propane bottle
Extra mantles
Long strike anywhere matches
Spare Globe
Accessory (to feed propane from large propane tank)
Where heat is an issue, you should really consider an electric camping lantern.

Electric Camping Lanterns

Many campers are not aware that electric camping lights are cheap, efficient, and very safe. Electric lanterns do not give off large amounts of heat. This makes them ideal for indoor use or during a natural disaster where light is needed but not heat.

Extra batteries
Extra bulbs
Spare globe
Camping Lantern: Always Have A Spare (or Two)

Now that you know a little more about camping lanterns, you can approach camping in a whole "new light."

Regardless of which type of lantern you choose, carry a spare electric camping lantern as a back up. You might find that conditions where you are camping are such that not much light is needed.

Remember, in the wilderness "one is none" and "two is few".

Always have a spare light source or two.