UCO Candle Lantern Review

The UCO Candle lantern has its advantages over other lantern types, with an obvious advantage being how economical they are on fuel.

Industrial Revolution Incorporated was founded in 1971 as the UCO corporation in Redmond Washington.

The company has become known for it's high quality, attractive and long burning UCO Lanterns that have proven themselves to be great additions to a persons camping equipment, emergency supplies and back yard party accessories as well as adding decorative touches to many home decors.

Advantages

Before we look at some of the specific products that UCO has available. Let's look at some of the Advantages that the UCO Candle Lantern offers.

• Economical- These camping lanterns are less expensive to run than most battery operated or propane lanterns. Which means that over the long run these lanterns save you money. The more backyard entertaining you do, the more camping trips you take or the more often (heaven forbid) those electric lights fail the more money you save.
• Safer- while most people don't think of candles as particularly safe, UCO candle lanterns are safe. If tipped over the candles extinguish and you don't have to worry about explosions or other problems found with most fuel powered lanterns.
• Environmentally friendly- Let's face it candles are more environmentally friendly than either fossil fuel or batteries. They burn down to practically nothing and you can even get all natural UCO beeswax candles if you prefer.

Now that we've taken a look at some of the overall advantage of UCO Candle Lanterns let's take a look at some of the specific lanterns in their line up.

The Original UCO

The Original UCO model is still the best selling of all models. This collapsible lantern is easy to store and can simply go with you anywhere whether camping, hiking, canoeing or simply to keep in the car in case of an emergency. Features of this lantern include:

• 9 hours of soft light. Enough to find your way back to camp.
• Versatile. It's collapsible design makes it perfect for all kinds of uses
• easy lighting system
• Lifetime parts guarantee
• can be purchased in a value pack which comes with lantern, 3 candles and a carrying bag
• Made in the U.S.A.

Overall, most users love this candle lantern giving it 4.5 out of a possible 5 stars. The very simplicity of this lantern is what most users liked best. One users summed up the general feeling of this lantern by stating: "All and all not a revolutionary product but, it works and works well." (Amazon review)

Pros:

Here are some of the specific things that most users liked about this lantern.

• Helps reduce humidity and provides some warmth when hung inside a tent about an 1 hour before going to bed.
• Durable
• easy to store
• fairly weather resistant
• convenient
• light weight
• good price
• inexpensive to use- "Cost are under $0.10 an hour to use" (epinion review)

Cons:

• It's not a bright light. (purchasing the optional reflector can give you enough light to read by)

While this candle lantern won't light up your entire camping area it gives you enough light to move comfortably around after dark and is great for lighting your way to the rest-rooms and back to camp. It also furnishes enough light to see when simply sitting around the campground after dark.

Overall Ratings

The UCO Mini

The UCO mini is the smallest and cutest of the UCO Lanterns. Holding a candle that offers 4 hours of burn time, this lightweight lantern is perfect for hiking, camping, those back yard cookouts and home decor. It is also the perfect size to keep on hand for those emergency outages.

Here are some of the features of the mini candle lantern.

• Small size
• compact
• uses ordinary tea candles
• convenient handle
• environmentally friendly
• Economic to run (costs about 8 cents an hour)

Actual users love this little lantern and state that it makes a perfect addition to both camping and emergency gear. They find it makes a perfect beacon light and provides ample light to get ready for bed at night. It is the perfect little light for use by hikers lighting the trail when dusk has fallen.

Pros and Cons:

Here is a look at some of the specific things that users liked about this tiny lantern.

• Light weight
• compact
• durable
• easy to use
• long burn time
• tea candles for the lantern are cheap, "Buy tea candles from the dollar store." (amazon reviewer advice)

Strangely enough the only negative users noted was that the top of the lantern gets extremely hot which they state should be expected. Their recommendation? Use gloves when replacing candles or wait for lantern to cool.

Overall Ratings

The UCO Candelier

The Candelier is one of the most convenient and attractive of the UCO Candle Lantern. This lantern holds three 9 hour candles that can be lit one at a time or all three at once for those who want brighter light.

This lantern not only will provide you with light during that power failure or camping trip but, can also be used to warm up a shelter and even warm food, melt snow or boil small quantities of water. Here are some of the features of this lantern

• extra stable base
• warmer plate
• economical costing about 25 cents an hour
• made in the U.S.A.
• Durable and the handle is convenient

Pros and Cons of The Candelier

It seems as though users love the Candelier as much as they do all the other UCO lantern. Here are some of the things they liked about this lantern.

• No complicated starting process
• durable
• heats water for instant coffee, hot chocolate and can be used to keep coffee warm
• compact
• can be used to heat up tent before going to bed on those colder nights

The only negative anyone could find with this lantern is that when camping in high temperatures the extra candles softened. One solution for this would be to keep them in a zip lock in your camping cooler.

Overall, any of these candle lanterns would be an excellent choice for any family for both indoor and outdoor use depending on your needs. These candle lanterns while not providing the brightness of battery or fuel based lanterns do provide a special ambiance to your outdoor experience while giving you adequate light to see by.

In addition, these lanterns supply a bit of nice warmth and in the case of the candelier can even warm food and liquid.

Overall Ratings

Where To Find Replacement Candles

In case you are worried about being able to find replacement candles for your lantern they are easy to find. The 9 hour candles are sold at Walmart, Amazon and several other places. While the tea candles can be purchased any where tea candles are sold.

One More You Might Be Interested In

For those of you who like to read in your tent late at night. Or prefer not to have anything with a flame inside your tent the Led UCO candle lantern and torch may be the perfect option for you. This lantern can be used as either a small tent lantern or a flashlight for those trips to the bathroom or those late nights on the trail. There is both a mini and an XL version of this Lantern/torch available.

In 2009 UCO came out with the UCO flip which is a flashlight, lantern and signal probe all in one. Perfect for all your camping needs.

Overall Ratings