Coleman "Duel Fuel" two-mantle lantern

**jezcruzen** · 08-06-2012, 08:25 AM

I bought one of these lanterns several years ago. Its sat in its box on a shelf in the basement unused until our most recent "unpleasantness" - a loss of power for six days.

I have older Coleman two-mantle lanterns that I have used over the years. They often were finicky and bothersome to use.

This new 'duel fuel' is pretty simple. Its duel fuel moniker means that you can safely use either Coleman fuel or unleaded gasoline. Less "doo dads" to manipulate. Lights readily and gives off a LOT of illumination! It also gives off a lot of heat, which was not a plus in hot weather indoors. But, in the cold months it sure would be welcome.

I paid $40 for mine at the time. The price has inflated. Gander Mountain advertises this lantern for $79. Walmart has them for $59.

I'm going to buy another one. (One is none, two is one) If I get out of here, I'll do it today.

Good product.

**RICHFL** · 08-06-2012, 10:48 AM

I have 2 now. I also hurricane oil lamps which are no good to read by but work OK for general lighting.

The new LED lanterns give off enough light to read by, but you have the same old problem of recharging them from some power source.

**JLBIII** · 08-06-2012, 02:04 PM

I have two Coleman lanterns that I've had for over 25 years and both work great, the only thing I've had to do with them is replace the mantles. I know they sell a conversion kit for them to make them duel fuel, which I'm going to do soon. I was at Walmart the other day and the Coleman fuel was almost $9 for a gallon, at those prices it's definitely cheaper to use unleaded gas.

Joe

**jezcruzen** · 08-06-2012, 02:27 PM

I did buy another one today. $59! I sucked it up.(not the lantern. the cost) They didn't have but the one.

I also purchased two more bricks of Winchester .22lr. Holy Moly!! $22 and change! I know I only paid $18 several months ago, and last year a brick was $13!

**Mortblanc** · 08-06-2012, 06:21 PM

I have had nothing but problems from my duel fuel products, both stoves and lanterns. They simply do not hold up as well as the old Coleman fuel gear.

For one 3 year streach they were my only light and cooking source. I wore out a duel fuel lamp every 6 months or so and replaced my duel fuel stove after a year, the regular fuel stuff worked throught the entire time frame, I still have it and it is still working.

I did learn early on that you could use unleaded gas in the regular fuel items and alternate between a tank of Coleman fuel and a tank of unleaded indeffinately with no problems.

**Iron mike** · 08-06-2012, 07:55 PM

got a coleman stove at goodwill 6 dollars I was not hopefull but it fired right up with no problems I feel you on the ammo it hurts

**Bullet-Caster** · 08-07-2012, 12:00 AM

I have two duel fuel powerhouse lanterns and a duel fuel North Star lantern. There great.

**jezcruzen** · 08-07-2012, 12:02 PM

When I was a kid and a Boy Scout, the Scoutmaster always opted for "white gas" from Amoco instead of the more expensive Coleman fuel. At the time, Amoco gas was unleaded.

Something to consider when using duel fuel equipment is the ethanol now being mixed into gasoline. My local Sthil dealer recently told me that Sthil is now recommending the use of hi-test in their small engine equipment due to the ethanol.

Mortblanc, if you have had trouble, that could be a contributing factor.