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April 9, 2007
Gas lamps for dummies
Could someone please give me step by step instructions on how to replace those little bags in the gas lamp in front of my b/stone? Every time I try to do it the whole bag just burns up. I'm following the directions on the bag but I'm doing SOMETHING wrong. It's definitely a gas lamp and I know it works, since when we bought the house it was working - I just can't seem to figure it out. Thanks.
Comments
don't have a gas lamp in front of my house, but I camped for many years and the gas mantles ("bags")are more or less the same as the mantles on Coleman lanterns.
1. Turn off the gas
2. Install the mantle--the ones I used for camping tied on with a string, but the ones for gas lights may have a screw base. Wash your hands after handling the new mantle--they're mildly radioactive (NO, I'm NOT kidding).
3. light the mantle with a match and wait until the whole thing stops burning. Ashes, in the shape of the cloth mantle are left. Do not touch them--they're very fragile.
4. Turn the gas back on
5. Light the mantle with a match
6. Reinstall the glass
AFAIK most people leave the lights burning --I'm told they only use as much gas as a pilot light.
Posted by: Bob Marvin at April 10, 2007 12:43 AM
I switched from those horrible bags -- which look like testicles, and give awful flourescent-ish light -- to an open flame adapter for under $20. Looks so much better. Downright charming. Do yourself and your neighbors a favor and get an open flame adapter such as this one:
http://www.gas-lights.com/burners.html
Posted by: Anonymous at April 10, 2007 7:41 AM
Much less light than an incandescent mantle and AFAIK uses more gas, but a lot nicer looking. People in the late 19th century would have thought it crazy to use an open flame when mantles were available. Incandescant mantles were a high tech innovation that, combined with electric ignition switches, gave electric lights real competition and delayed their general acceptance. Of course the same people also greatly preferred "modern" gas fireplaces to old fashioned wood-burning ones--tastes change.
Posted by: Bob Marvin at April 10, 2007 9:37 AM
Bob, thank you for your detailed instructions. I've got one more package of mantles left - if I can't make it work following your instructions I may switch to those open flame adapters - thanks for the tip and link, 7:41.
Posted by: Anonymous at April 10, 2007 9:47 AM
As per Bob Marvin's observation about gas vs. wood fireplaces, people these days seem to prefer propane barbecues over charcoal ones (mmmm... hickory! mesquite!). Sadly, history repeats itself.
Posted by: meaty at April 10, 2007 3:29 PM
i'm looking to put a post mounted gas lamp outside our brownstone (at some point there was one there) -- anyone know of a place in Brooklyn that carries them?
Posted by: Anonymous at May 19, 2007 6:11 AM
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