I just took a trip to visit my 90 year old mom and found several red globed Deitz lanterns in her garage and brought them home. I was 4 years old when I first saw them and they made an impression on me. I have abut 30 kerosene lanterns now, some new, some old. The dusty old Number 8 Air Pilot looked good and the winged wick holder freed up after a short soak in PB Blaster. To my surprise, the font was half full of old yellow kerosene. After a short while I was able to loosen up the wick and it moved easily. Apparently it gummed up and sealed the kerosene inside the font. To my great astonishment, the lamp lit up using its original 58 year old kerosene. The odor was strong but the lamp lit and stayed burning. Wow, Deitz did a great job on their design! That lamp last burned in 1957. It came from the City of Los Angeles. I know yours will last a life time as well.
+ratoneJR Thanks! I just posted the video under Deitz No. 8 Air Pilot showing the second time I lit it. This is mind boggling that kerosene that old would burn with the original wick. The kerosene gummed up the wick and sealed the font for all of those years.
The odor was strong not necessarily because the kerosene was old, but because back when it was made they put more sulfur in the kerosene than some companies do today. Using low-sulfur fuel will reduce the odors.
Thanks for the video - I love the Air Pilot! The wide tank and short globe make it very stable on the ground or table. I also have a comparable lantern with the same 7/8" wick size but a taller globe - the Air Pilot is just as bright (at least at my low altitude), while the taller one is more prone to flickering, and is more finicky about wick trimming. The Air Pilot is easier to pack, too, fitting into a tall kitty litter bucket with a fuel bottle and a lighter. The "rising cone" makes it easier to light than many other models. The 7/8" wick models are significantly brighter than lanterns with narrower wicks, and only cost a few bucks more. Kirkman's is another great source for lanterns like these.
kirkman has a great selection and many parts. they are just too expensive for me. Kirkman's has a yellow globe I would like. Someday... Thanks for reminding me about them. Have a good one.
I have two of the larger 75 hour deitz #2500 lanterns that I had since 2000 and designed for temperature control in green houses (12-18 candle power) but mine leaks on the bottom seam of the tank which is a easy fix by using a 8 oz. can of gas tank sealer for both lanterns. And yes they do produce lots of heat!!! I use mine during the winter as a heat and light source. We have a 1000 sq. ft. home and once the house is warmed up the lanterns take over, at least the heater come on a lot less often.
I got some, too. i agree the work well for what they are. i do like the wider wicks on the dietz. more light. i use them both. my friend just got a dietz Jupiter. physically giant. gonna do a vid on that one soon. thanks for your comments
Thank you sir for the terrific video....., straightforward, honest, informative, no excess talking, no B.S. The reason I watched this video was because I was given a No. 8 a few years ago by a friend in Canton, Mass. It doesn’t have anything on it that reads “Made in China” but it does have “Made in U.S.A.” stamped on the underside of the burner. Any possibility that just the burner was American made or would it be the whole lantern? Just curious. Thanks again...Mac
I gave the black one to a friend. I am not sure, but I don't recall any differences in the style of burner. None that would drastically change the air flow pattern for combustion, anyway. But...you may be correct.
It’s all relative. $30 isn’t really “expensive” when you think about the fact that every month, spend more than that on food that you eat and then it’s gone.
I used kerosene for years on the farm. Fumes messed with my nasal passages too bad. I recently switched to liquid paraffin. More costly but who cares, it's a nice clean burn and I need to dust my lantern chimneys but I've never had any soot in the chimney. I think K1 needs to get outlawed for interior use when we have access to Paraffin. Pets, kids and elders benefit from clean lungs.
Why does no one seem to know how to properly use oil lanterns? The wick of the Air Pilot has neither been trimmed properl, nor adjusted properly! From the constant references to "kerosene", I am not sure if the correct type of oil is being used! While kerosene can be used in a pinch, real lamp oil has higher molecular weight and burns cleaner and longer.
falcondriver100 kirkman's has got a little on the expensive side I have found several places online if you're interested they have good prices: Red Hill general store Lehmans Survival unlimited Victory wicks Vermont lantern
unfortunately I learned some very sad news a few days ago. dietz has definitely closed in China and the lanterns that are on the market are disposable orders and within a year there was nothing left. I am very sorry 😞
Maybe they could restart the brand elsewhere. Personally, I never did like my air pilot. I actually gave it away. Never did work well. My wife has a Dietz " Jupiter". The Jupiter IS a nice, well working lantern.
@Boston Fern - These lanterns leak at all joints as a result of design. The joints are crimped, not soldered or otherwise sealed, regardless of the maker. They were designed to replace candles and wick lamps for everyday use and in every use, so they are designed and manufactured for maximum safety, maximum light, fuel efficiency, and minimum manufacturing cost. They will all leak through every seam if you tip them over full of fuel, even if the filler cap has a gasket. But they won't set everything on fire, in contrast to a candle or a simple wick oil lamp, while providing at least twice as much light as a not-carbureted lamp. If you need to pack the lamp, drain the fuel.
I just took a trip to visit my 90 year old mom and found several red globed Deitz lanterns in her garage and brought them home. I was 4 years old when I first saw them and they made an impression on me. I have abut 30 kerosene lanterns now, some new, some old.
The dusty old Number 8 Air Pilot looked good and the winged wick holder freed up after a short soak in PB Blaster. To my surprise, the font was half full of old yellow kerosene. After a short while I was able to loosen up the wick and it moved easily. Apparently it gummed up and sealed the kerosene inside the font. To my great astonishment, the lamp lit up using its original 58 year old kerosene. The odor was strong but the lamp lit and stayed burning. Wow, Deitz did a great job on their design! That lamp last burned in 1957. It came from the City of Los Angeles. I know yours will last a life time as well.
+kimmer6 Wow, good story. I have burned kerosene that was 20 years old, myself. Deitz does makes a good lantern.
+ratoneJR
Thanks! I just posted the video under Deitz No. 8 Air Pilot showing the second time I lit it. This is mind boggling that kerosene that old would burn with the original wick. The kerosene gummed up the wick and sealed the font for all of those years.
+kimmer6
And maybe I will learn how to spell it. D I E T Z. I'm dyslexic and my eyes read the I and E switched every time!
The odor was strong not necessarily because the kerosene was old, but because back when it was made they put more sulfur in the kerosene than some companies do today. Using low-sulfur fuel will reduce the odors.
love that No.8 Air Pilot. looks even cooler with the original bail shape and not the new one as on yours. Thanks for the nice video.
Thanks for the video - I love the Air Pilot! The wide tank and short globe make it very stable on the ground or table. I also have a comparable lantern with the same 7/8" wick size but a taller globe - the Air Pilot is just as bright (at least at my low altitude), while the taller one is more prone to flickering, and is more finicky about wick trimming. The Air Pilot is easier to pack, too, fitting into a tall kitty litter bucket with a fuel bottle and a lighter. The "rising cone" makes it easier to light than many other models.
The 7/8" wick models are significantly brighter than lanterns with narrower wicks, and only cost a few bucks more.
Kirkman's is another great source for lanterns like these.
kirkman has a great selection and many parts. they are just too expensive for me. Kirkman's has a yellow globe I would like. Someday... Thanks for reminding me about them. Have a good one.
Nice review...very helpful. Thank you.
I have two of the larger 75 hour deitz #2500 lanterns that I had since 2000 and designed for temperature control in green houses (12-18 candle power) but mine leaks on the bottom seam of the tank which is a easy fix by using a 8 oz. can of gas tank sealer for both lanterns. And yes they do produce lots of heat!!! I use mine during the winter as a heat and light source. We have a 1000 sq. ft. home and once the house is warmed up the lanterns take over, at least the heater come on a lot less often.
+strangefire1 Deitz 2500... The Jupiter A nice lantern
this is so good
I've got a couple of those cheap Wal-Mart lanterns. They work surprisingly well for the money. No fount leaks like others have complained about.
I got some, too. i agree the work well for what they are. i do like the wider wicks on the dietz. more light. i use them both. my friend just got a dietz Jupiter. physically giant. gonna do a vid on that one soon. thanks for your comments
luv those lanterns
never worked out well. I gave it away. Dietz Jupiter is a better lantern.
I picked up a No.8 Air Pilot a week ago for $8 at the local Lumberjack hardware store.
that was a good deal for you.
Thank you sir for the terrific video....., straightforward, honest, informative, no excess talking, no B.S. The reason I watched this video was because I was given a No. 8 a few years ago by a friend in Canton, Mass. It doesn’t have anything on it that reads “Made in China” but it does have “Made in U.S.A.” stamped on the underside of the burner. Any possibility that just the burner was American made or would it be the whole lantern? Just curious. Thanks again...Mac
The biggest difference between the cheep lantern and the dietz is the air tubing on the dietz is smoother and flows better making a hotter flame
the black one does not have a airflow diffuser around the wick tube. That's why it makes a lame flame. The Air Pilot is a beautiful lantern
I gave the black one to a friend. I am not sure, but I don't recall any differences in the style of burner. None that would drastically change the air flow pattern for combustion, anyway. But...you may be correct.
It’s all relative. $30 isn’t really “expensive” when you think about the fact that every month, spend more than that on food that you eat and then it’s gone.
Jak wleje 50ml nafty do lampy to ile czasu bedzie się palić ?
Thanks.
I used kerosene for years on the farm. Fumes messed with my nasal passages too bad. I recently switched to liquid paraffin. More costly but who cares, it's a nice clean burn and I need to dust my lantern chimneys but I've never had any soot in the chimney. I think K1 needs to get outlawed for interior use when we have access to Paraffin. Pets, kids and elders benefit from clean lungs.
How do I Re Wick one. Thank you
I just found Dietz No 8 in a second hand store for 15$ and it was never used
Simple old skool no electronic mumbo jumbo lights..
Got one from W. T Kirkman $18.95 bought one today....
Why does no one seem to know how to properly use oil lanterns? The wick of the Air Pilot has neither been trimmed properl, nor adjusted properly! From the constant references to "kerosene", I am not sure if the correct type of oil is being used! While kerosene can be used in a pinch, real lamp oil has higher molecular weight and burns cleaner and longer.
Comprei um da marca western. 45 $ no mercado livre🇧🇷👏
Nine years later they're $40.
YesturdayI looked for a Dietz Jupiter, the best one Dietz offers IMHO, they are now $60. Total ripoff.
$14? 😂
You can still get that model Dietz for $17 from Kirkmans.......
shop.woodwardcrossingscountrybasics.com/8-No-8-Dietz-Air-Pilot-Kerosene-Lantern-Blue-Plain-Trim-DHL-0008-AX.htm.
$15 + shipping
***** Wow, nice!! Didn't know about that place..
falcondriver100 kirkman's has got a little on the expensive side I have found several places online if you're interested they have good prices:
Red Hill general store
Lehmans
Survival unlimited
Victory wicks
Vermont lantern
unfortunately I learned some very sad news a few days ago. dietz has definitely closed in China and the lanterns that are on the market are disposable orders and within a year there was nothing left. I am very sorry 😞
Maybe they could restart the brand elsewhere. Personally, I never did like my air pilot. I actually gave it away. Never did work well.
My wife has a Dietz " Jupiter". The Jupiter IS a nice, well working lantern.
Found a Dietz Junior for $10.95 on Walmart.com
@Boston Fern -
These lanterns leak at all joints as a result of design. The joints are crimped, not soldered or otherwise sealed, regardless of the maker.
They were designed to replace candles and wick lamps for everyday use and in every use, so they are designed and manufactured for maximum safety, maximum light, fuel efficiency, and minimum manufacturing cost.
They will all leak through every seam if you tip them over full of fuel, even if the filler cap has a gasket. But they won't set everything on fire, in contrast to a candle or a simple wick oil lamp, while providing at least twice as much light as a not-carbureted lamp.
If you need to pack the lamp, drain the fuel.
I agree, if you need to pack the lamp, drain the fuel. But, no leaks yet.