How The Horse blew himself up this morning

@TheHorse (204969)
Walnut Creek, California
April 19, 2017 1:12pm CST
My beloved pseudo-railroad lantern stopped working the other night. I thought it had died, but closer inspection revealed that I had simply run out of wick. Putting the new wick in was going to be another project for me and my 8-year-old neighbor buddy. Measuring the opening, we couldn't tell if it was 1/2" or 3/8", so I opted for the smaller size and ordered some on-line (after some failed visits to Hobby Lobby, Home Depot and Ace Hardware). This morning, I finally got around to opening the package. I knew immediately that I should have ordered the 1/2" wick. The 3/8" was skinnier that what I'd had in there before. I decided to put the new wick in without the kid there, just to be safe. As I had feared, the flamed climbed down the wick and into the chamber containing Tiki Torch Fuel, which exploded, bathing me in flaming liquid. I screamed, and suddenly everything was black and white, like an old WWII film. I stumbled around the balcony on fire, and then fell, in a black and white 360, to my untimely death on the pavement below. Actually, that didn't happen. But I am worried that the wick does seem to be burning rather fast, and that the air being admitted by the 1/16" gap on either side of the wick may lead to faster burning. But then again, only the air above the chamber matters, so maybe it's just that the skinnier wick burns a bit faster. Does anyone have experience with lanterns like these? Are you glad that the Horse did not really fall to a flaming death, like the stuntmen in old black and white movies?
19 people like this
20 responses
pgn
@pgntwo (22412)
• Derry, Northern Ireland
19 Apr 17
I wonder if Sir Humphry Davy faced such challenges?
Davy lamp - Wikipedia
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2 people like this
DE
@DaddyEvil (137145)
• United States
27 Apr 17
@pgntwo How do we find out which hospital an ambulance took pony to? His experiment exploded! See my box!
2 people like this
pgn
@pgntwo (22412)
• Derry, Northern Ireland
19 Apr 17
@TheHorse That, or a canary in a cage... They didn't mention that in The Lost Boys... Or Indiana Jones.
2 people like this
The Horse
@TheHorse (204969)
• Walnut Creek, California
19 Apr 17
@pgntwo Yep, I've heard of the canary in a cage.
2 people like this
DE
@DaddyEvil (137145)
• United States
25 Apr 17
Hmmm... let me get back to you later on... I want to go get my yard chair and set it up for the coming show from your balcony!
2 people like this
DE
@DaddyEvil (137145)
• United States
27 Apr 17
@TheHorse ...3...2...1... KaBLAM! pony? Are you alright, pony? SOMEBODY CALL AN AMBULANCE! HURRY! PONY IS HURT! No, they don't have ambulances for ponies! I don't care! GET HIM TO THE HORSPITAL! Don't worry, pony! They will take good care of you!
1 person likes this
pgn
@pgntwo (22412)
• Derry, Northern Ireland
27 Apr 17
@DaddyEvil What do you call an ambulance...?
1 person likes this
The Horse
@TheHorse (204969)
• Walnut Creek, California
25 Apr 17
10-9-8-7-6-5-4...
1 person likes this
much2say
@much2say (53801)
• Los Angeles, California
19 Apr 17
I was thinking dang . . . the Horse went through all that and lived to tell about it in this post . Well be careful with that lantern of yours!!
2 people like this
The Horse
@TheHorse (204969)
• Walnut Creek, California
19 Apr 17
Oh, I will! After I turn in a few progress notes. I'm going to see if the bottom part heats up when it's lit. I don't think the bottom part is supposed to heat up. Heat goes UP!
2 people like this
much2say
@much2say (53801)
• Los Angeles, California
19 Apr 17
@TheHorse As long as the Horse doesn't burn UP !
2 people like this
The Horse
@TheHorse (204969)
• Walnut Creek, California
20 Apr 17
@much2say I don't want to suffer the same fate as my ex-girlfriends. (whistling emoji)
2 people like this
Anna
@LadyDuck (457190)
• Switzerland
20 Apr 17
We have a similar lantern, that we keep just in case of a blackout. I think that it's better to use the right size to avoid the risk of explosion. Of course as you were telling us what happened, I knew you did not blow yourself this morning.
1 person likes this
Anna
@LadyDuck (457190)
• Switzerland
20 Apr 17
@TheHorse Exactly, if he is telling the story, he cannot die.
1 person likes this
The Horse
@TheHorse (204969)
• Walnut Creek, California
20 Apr 17
@LadyDuck I suppose one could be telling the story from the grave. I bet that's been used.
1 person likes this
The Horse
@TheHorse (204969)
• Walnut Creek, California
20 Apr 17
I've thought of that when I read first person murder mysteries. You know the guy telling the story can't die.
1 person likes this
Nanette Piotrowski
@nanette64 (20364)
• Fairfield, Texas
20 Apr 17
I'm strictly a battery-operated, lantern girl @TheHorse . I did have a fuel-based one but it scared the heck out of me.
1 person likes this
The Horse
@TheHorse (204969)
• Walnut Creek, California
20 Apr 17
To be practical (in case the "big one" kills our power for a few days) I should probably get a battery-operated one too. This one is just so I can watch a flame when I chill in the evenings.
1 person likes this
The Horse
@TheHorse (204969)
• Walnut Creek, California
20 Apr 17
@nanette64 Yeah, I'll keep it at a safe distance. I don't want to burn my house down either. I'd miss my guitars.
1 person likes this
Nanette Piotrowski
@nanette64 (20364)
• Fairfield, Texas
20 Apr 17
@TheHorse Just don't "watch" it too close.
1 person likes this
Laurel (L_B)
@Happy2BeMe (99410)
• Canada
19 Apr 17
Even though this was hilarious.....I am glad that you didn't go up in flames!!
2 people like this
The Horse
@TheHorse (204969)
• Walnut Creek, California
19 Apr 17
Thanks! I changed the picture. I'm now conducting an experiment to see how long it will burn without me adjusting the wick. I might go up in flames yet.
3 people like this
The Horse
@TheHorse (204969)
• Walnut Creek, California
19 Apr 17
@Happy2BeMe I got at east 10 mins out of it without adjusting anything, then I put it out. I'm going to repeat the experiment when it's not sunny to see if the bottom chamber heats up at all. I don't want that.
2 people like this
Laurel (L_B)
@Happy2BeMe (99410)
• Canada
19 Apr 17
@TheHorse Cool picture!! Be careful!!
2 people like this
dragon54u
@dragon54u (31636)
• United States
19 Apr 17
I am very glad that the Horse is still alive and not flambéed! I would not use the lantern until I got the proper sized wick. Be sure to let your little buddy know what happened so he will not make the same mistake!
1 person likes this
dragon54u
@dragon54u (31636)
• United States
19 Apr 17
@TheHorse I think it will just burn faster and you'll spend more than you would if you'd gotten the right size. Walmart carried wicks and mantels last time I was in their camping department, have you tried them? This will show your friend how important it is to plan ahead and have what he needs put aside before he might need it.
1 person likes this
The Horse
@TheHorse (204969)
• Walnut Creek, California
20 Apr 17
@dragon54u Do we have a Walmart around here? I'm not sure. I'll check Michaels first.
1 person likes this
The Horse
@TheHorse (204969)
• Walnut Creek, California
19 Apr 17
What do you think might happen? I'm experimenting with it now.
1 person likes this
AbbyGreenhill
@AbbyGreenhill (45496)
• United States
20 Apr 17
WE have lamps like that but we don't use them, just decoration! Our lanterns are battery.
1 person likes this
AbbyGreenhill
@AbbyGreenhill (45496)
• United States
20 Apr 17
@TheHorse ours are Coleman that my husband must have bought 40 years ago!
1 person likes this
The Horse
@TheHorse (204969)
• Walnut Creek, California
20 Apr 17
I enjoy watching a flickering flame. But for practical use, I should get a battery operated lantern. I'm sure Coleman make a good one.
1 person likes this
Alfredo Rossi
@amadeo (111948)
• United States
19 Apr 17
they have some great battery operated lantern.I have a couple we use this for camping or the power go out in some places. Better than bother with wick and the oil.I have a few here.But had enough of it
1 person likes this
Alfredo Rossi
@amadeo (111948)
• United States
20 Apr 17
@Lupita234 yes,they are
1 person likes this
The Horse
@TheHorse (204969)
• Walnut Creek, California
20 Apr 17
@amadeo I bet you have a fireplace!
The Horse
@TheHorse (204969)
• Walnut Creek, California
20 Apr 17
Save them for me! For practicality, I should get a battery-operated one. But I like watching a flickering flame when I play guitar on my balcony in the Summers.
Marie
@Tampa_girl7 (48859)
• United States
22 Apr 17
We actually found two in the attic of our West Virginia house, but we haven't used them.
1 person likes this
Marie
@Tampa_girl7 (48859)
• United States
22 Apr 17
@TheHorse they appear to be very old. when we finish restoring the house I think I will display them by the fireplace.
1 person likes this
The Horse
@TheHorse (204969)
• Walnut Creek, California
25 Apr 17
@Tampa_girl7 That sounds nice! Take a picture.
1 person likes this
The Horse
@TheHorse (204969)
• Walnut Creek, California
22 Apr 17
Are they old school oil lanterns?
1 person likes this
Judy Evans
@JudyEv (325106)
• Rockingham, Australia
20 Apr 17
This isn't the first time your readers have been led down the garden path and 'witnessed' your demise! There is another post up about these old lanterns too. I remember them well.
1 person likes this
The Horse
@TheHorse (204969)
• Walnut Creek, California
20 Apr 17
I don't have a fireplace, or a fire pit, here in CA. But I do like watching a flickering flame.
1 person likes this
Judy Evans
@JudyEv (325106)
• Rockingham, Australia
25 Apr 17
@TheHorse We always enjoy sitting in front of our fire although it is enclosed.
fishtiger58
@fishtiger58 (29823)
• Momence, Illinois
20 Apr 17
We have a couple of Coleman lanterns but they use mantles
1 person likes this
The Horse
@TheHorse (204969)
• Walnut Creek, California
20 Apr 17
I have one of those up in Montana. It's from my childhood days (or maybe before) but it still works.
1 person likes this
fishtiger58
@fishtiger58 (29823)
• Momence, Illinois
23 Apr 17
@TheHorse they work pretty good.
April
@thislittlepennyearns (58082)
• Defuniak Springs, Florida
19 Apr 17
I was worried there for a minute. I can't imagine burning horse smells good. In all seriousness, glad you're okay.
1 person likes this
The Horse
@TheHorse (204969)
• Walnut Creek, California
19 Apr 17
When properly prepared, it might taste good. But, for obvious reasons I'm not into burning horses up, even for culinary purposes.
April
@thislittlepennyearns (58082)
• Defuniak Springs, Florida
19 Apr 17
@TheHorse I don't think there could possibly be a proper way to prepare it.
1 person likes this
The Horse
@TheHorse (204969)
• Walnut Creek, California
19 Apr 17
@thislittlepennyearns I've had so many really good friends who were horses, I'm not sure I could eat one. I love chickens too, but that's different. Aren't there some countries where horses are a delicacy?
Sasha
@diosabella (4789)
•
20 Apr 17
You always have ways with phrases and words. But at least you are safe.
1 person likes this
The Horse
@TheHorse (204969)
• Walnut Creek, California
20 Apr 17
I suggest adding some tomatoes, onions, and green peppers, and putting me on a skewer.
The Horse
@TheHorse (204969)
• Walnut Creek, California
20 Apr 17
@diosabella I'm sure I taste "just like chicken."
1 person likes this
Sasha
@diosabella (4789)
•
20 Apr 17
@TheHorse I have some here. It will be an awesome barbecue.
1 person likes this
Happy Lady and Freya the Catblog Cat
@Jackalyn (7559)
• Oxford, England
22 Apr 17
I have not seen a lamp like that for years. Just now I'm relieved your story was not true. No idea aboit the wick though.
1 person likes this
The Horse
@TheHorse (204969)
• Walnut Creek, California
25 Apr 17
So far so good. I actually forgot about it the other evening and it burned for an hour. Then I put it out.
1 person likes this
Pat Z Anthony
@PatZAnthony (14752)
• Charlotte, North Carolina
7 May 17
It is very nice that you did not actually experience the event described here @TheHorse We don't use Tiki Torch fuel in ours, but guessing it would be okay.
1 person likes this
The Horse
@TheHorse (204969)
• Walnut Creek, California
7 May 17
What do you use? I think I'll fire mine up this evening and play some guitar on my balcony.
James Higgins
@JamesHxstatic (29232)
• Eugene, Oregon
21 Apr 17
Sounds like one of those old movies alright. We are glad for all those kid-clients who would miss those outings with you. I have no experience with those lanterns, but I have one with batteries.
1 person likes this
The Horse
@TheHorse (204969)
• Walnut Creek, California
21 Apr 17
I should get a battery operated one, for real emergencies. This one is just for fun. I'm testing it out again this evening. If I get a decent picture, I'll attach it.
1 person likes this
Courtney
@Courtlynn (66922)
• United States
19 Apr 17
well glad you are okay. lol
1 person likes this
The Horse
@TheHorse (204969)
• Walnut Creek, California
20 Apr 17
Okay might be an overstatement. But at least I didn't really burn up.
1 person likes this
Angie
@andriaperry (116860)
• Anniston, Alabama
19 Apr 17
Whew! you did have me going, glad you did not do the stunts this morning. No I just use open fire
1 person likes this
The Horse
@TheHorse (204969)
• Walnut Creek, California
19 Apr 17
I'd be a mess if I pulled one of those stunts now. I always wondered how those guys did the falling off of a building thing without getting hurt.
Scott Ganschow
@teamfreak16 (43421)
• Denver, Colorado
19 Apr 17
Knowing me, I'd just buy a new one. Sorry, I got nothing.
1 person likes this
The Horse
@TheHorse (204969)
• Walnut Creek, California
19 Apr 17
I'll use this until I make it to Michaels (unless I blow up first). @LisaSteinmetz said they probably have them there.
1 person likes this
Kelli M
@spiderdust (14741)
• San Jose, California
22 Apr 17
@TheHorse Check the candle making section at Michael's. I know they have wider wicks there, but I don't know if they'll be what you need or not.