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Parts of a Hurricane Lamp

A hurricane lamp refers to any oil lamp that includes a glass chimney to protect its flame from high winds. You can find lamps manufactured by many different companies. The parts used for hurricane lamps depend on the manufacturer and the style of lamp. Styles range from very simple, such as a small oil lamp with a chimney, to large heat-producing glass lamps with shades. Generally, hurricane lamps are table lamps, but some are mounted on walls.

The Base and Font
- If your hurricane lamp has a base, it's probably made of metal or marble. The base is threaded with a rod that supports the lamp. The fuel container, called a font, rests on top of the base, although the font may also serve as a base for some lamps. The font is made out of glass or metal and has a neck-like opening at its top for fuels -- usually kerosene or oil.
The Burner and Wick
- A collar fits around the neck of the font and attaches to the hurricane lamp's burner. The burner controls the flame and includes a knob to adjust the wick. Wicks are woven in cotton to form flat ribbons or round cord. The wick extends into the font and draws fuel for burning. Wicks require occasional trimming when the end grows black with carbon.
The Chimney
- A glass chimney fits snugly over the burner. It helps create the brightest possible light by providing adequate airflow so the flame burns without smoke or odor. Original chimneys are hard to find these days, and many hurricane lamps have replacement chimneys that may not fit correctly. If you are replacing a broken chimney, look for one that fits your lamp's burner.
The Shade
- Some hurricane lamps use a glass shade to diffuse the light from the flame. The shade fits over the chimney and is usually made of glass. You can find shades in many colors and patterns to add a decorative touch to the lamp.
The Mantle
- Aladdin lamps were introduced in America in the early 1900s and stand out for using incandescent mantles rather than wicks. According to Aladdin Knights, a collector's group, the technology was born in 1784 with the tubular wick and was improved until the mantle threw off heat and light equivalent to a 60 watt bulb. The Aladdin's mantles are chemically treated and do not burn. Rather, the mantle glows from the intense heat generated by the burner's blue flame, which generates 100 percent combustion, and a draft of air through the center of the lamp.

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