Hurricane lamps, also referred to as flat-wicked kerosene lights, which have been utilized as a lighting source since the late 1800s and remain in certain homes today for nostalgic or ornamental purposes or as a practical backup light supply during an emergency. Unlike candle wicks, which can be woven in a manner that they will burn in the flame and basically self-trim, the wick in a hurricane lamp requires routine trimming to remove the charred residue that causes a dim smoking and fire.
Remove the lamp’s chimney or reveal the wick and extinguish the lamp’s fire, if it is lit.
Turn the regulating wheel that adjusts the wick height to reveal a greater quantity of wick
Cut the top of the wick off with a straight cut throughout the breadth of wick. You may also marginally trim the corners of the wick shirt so it’s a gently-curving shirt or cut it up at an angle to attain different fire shapes, as desirable.
Fix the wick height utilizing the regulating wheel to ensure about 1/8 inch of wick extends out of the mounting shaft that holds it.
Remove any charred remains or other debris in the burner screen to ensure airflow remains unrestricted.
Replace the hurricane lamp’s chimney. You can wipe any soot off of the interior of the chimney prior to replacing it, if needed, for a neater look.