A kerosene lamp is a lighting device that utilizes kerosene as a fuel to produce a flame. In Britain, the kerosene lamp is often referred to as a paraffin lamp. This is not to be confused with paraffin wax or oil. It is simply the British term for kerosene. These lamps have been around for a long time and used to be the staple for lighting a home. There are mainly two different kinds of kerosene lamps that are widely used. These are a wick lamp and a pressure lamp.
A wick lamp is also known as an oil lamp. A wick lamp consists of a small base that holds the fuel, a lamp burner on top of the base, a wick, a wick adjustment knob and a glass globe, or chimney. The base is usually made from a transparent material, like glass, that allows one to visually inspect the fuel compartment to see how much fuel remains.
A pressure lamp is a type of kerosene, or paraffin lamp that is more complex than a wick lamp. A pressure lamp utilizes a pump in the fuel tank base to pressurize the kerosene. It also consists of a flue and mantles to increase the light output of the lamp. A pressure lamp is closely related to a lantern in that they operate on the same principles. A pressure lamp is better suited, and is a favorite for camping. Although, a wick lamp could be used for camping as well. Regardless of which style lamp one prefers to take camping, care needs to be taken when packing these lamps for transit to the campsite.
A wick or pressure style kerosene, or paraffin lamp, can still be used today. Nowadays, they are mainly used for camping (a lamp inside the tent would help in seeing how to get into the sleeping bag after the campfire has died down and would assist in identifying any unwelcome critters that have found their way into your sleeping quarters), emergency lighting during a power failure, and for decorative purposes.