Converting a Coleman 220 lantern to burn Kerosene 

Nice to have you posting videos again..

Great video! Thoroughly enjoy the knowledge and history of these lanterns.

Glad you’re back, keep em’ coming!!

Yay I'm glad to see some more great videos and full of knowledge for lanterns

Great video, another reason for converting to kerosene is that in some parts of the world white gas or Coleman fuel is either not easily available or the price is exorbitant. I got into lanterns a couple of yrs ago and not really understanding the difference between kerosene and white gas I bought a few lanterns in Ireland. Traditionally it’s kerosene that was burned in lamps in UK & irl. ( Tilley & bialaddin being the main sellers) however amongst the lanterns I purchased was a Coleman 220F. Coleman fuel is available here but the nearest stockist is a 2hr drive away and then its €13 for a small bottle of I think 750ml. I since bought a Coleman 639 but I would like to bring the 2 mantle 220F back to life.

Good video as always!!! Thanks Curt.

I just did this on a 220J. Only added the preheat cup, didn't mess with the generator. I was surprised how easy it lit. No smell. Just a bright as coleman fuel.

Great video as always. Very interesting. My thoughts on knowing how to do this is simply to have options in case you are unable to get white gas for some reason.

I can't wait to see part deux!!

I was kinda geeking out on Coleman lanters about 5 years ago and had found your channel. I have 3 220s ranging from B to F I beleieve and another one thats mod 70s. Id totally be down to take one of my newer 220s and convert it to kerosene if possible. I do have a 200A that spitting fuel out from the fount where the generator goes but haven't been super into Colemans or had the time. Just took my 7 year old son camping using my Milwaukee m12 lantern and headlamps which worked great but I want him to remember that classic Coleman white gas hiss that soo many associate that nostalgia with. You've kinda resparked my interest to go through my lanterns. Make sure the mantles are good and run em.

Are you getting a venturi effect from the smaller orifice? Causing it to run richer?

Awesome video. Now with the price of kerosene and fuel in general, probably easier to buy the cheapest white gas you can get, Ozark, Coleman or whatever other brand is out there.

I thought this was a good video, thank you for posting this! Having Options is ALWAYS a good thing.

As usual z great video Kurt, I see a Tilley

Perfect timing! I’ve been waiting for this! I recently inherited a Coleman 288A700 lantern from my late father. I already have 2 other Coleman lanterns that run on the white gas so I’m hoping to convert the 288 to kerosene. I’m hoping this guide will enable me to be successful. Thanks! 👍🏻 One question: Is it more desirable to change the generator to the kerosene generator and will it simply drop-in fit?

Awesome, kero rules!

Maybe someone else has mentioned this, I haven’t read all the comments: a fellow whose name is Ron Brown has a number of little books about lanterns. His book on kerosene pressure lanterns has a section on kerosene conversions. It covers a number of Coleman fuel to kerosene conversions, including those models that you have done videos on, as well as the 275, 236, 635, and the 335. The book itself is also quite interesting. Cheers

What mantels?

Lantern myth busted great job Kurt

So if the 220 works well stock, why does anyone swap parts? Seems like a no brainer to me to keep stock. If it’s not broke, why fix it.

Does Kerosene last longer?

It would have been good science if you put it back to original but with pre-heat cup and tried it again with Coleman Fuel Generator just to confirm it was no longer smelly.

I have the ultimate question. Can you burn kerosene in a dual fuel lantern?

I just bought an old 220 and it works pretty well but it wouldn’t shut all the way off, instead of releasing the pressure from the tank to shut it down, I just let it burn all night. Does anyone know what part I need to replace or is it something I can adjust? Thanks for any advice.

This is the first time I've disagreed with you but only because of my own personal experience. This not a reflection on you or your experience. The Coleman 231 was a double mantle kerosene lantern. Essentially is was a kerosene 220. From the factory it came with a straight pickup and a #6 (200A) orifice tip on the gen. When trying to do my own conversion I would get lots of over flame when using a V (220) orifice. When using an air circuit pickup I got a lot of pulsating with either tip. It was only after putting a straight pickup and a #6 tip and 200 pricker that I was able to achieve peak burn. The lantern is brighter than my standard 220s. If you do find that your lantern runs better on a #6 tip you must also install the 200 gen pricker as well. A 220 pricker will damage the #6 tip as the wire is to big.

Should take the filter out of the generator. It's not needed for kerosene, and it will eventually plug up.

Perhaps remove the cardboard packing

annoying 'music'-