Review on 🕯️ Authentic Armenian Oil Lamps from The Jerusalem Gift Shop: Herodian - Biblical Colorful Flowers since 2004 by Ryan Hoover

Dimensions: 2 inches high, 3 inches wide. Small but easy to lift and move from place to place. Holds 1/3 cup (about 75ml) of vegetable oil. I recommend a little less than that if you plan on moving it and don't want to spill it. You can use butter, shortening, lard, or fat, but it can be harder to light and keep burning. It may not sound like a lot of fuel, but I was on fire (full drain) for 3 hours last night and feel like I can do it for 3 or 4 more nights without having to fill it up again. It will burn for hours! Wicks: The supplied wicks (2 pieces) are waxed and stiff. I kneaded them a little, working in small areas between the index finger and thumb of both hands. This allows them to lie flat in the bowl, making it easier to regulate the flame. Once those wicks are depleted, I plan to switch to a cotton swab. I use large cotton balls. I unravel them (I rolled them into a ball like scotch) by jabbing my finger in my side and then breaking them. They are left with a flat cotton ribbon about an inch wide. You can twist this ribbon into a thread and it will work, but I like to double its thickness by folding it in half lengthwise and then making a primitive rope out of it (see You Tube video on how to make a primitive rope ). The result is a fluffy cotton string that fits the hole tightly enough to prevent the wick from falling into the oil. After the cord/wick is made I cut it into 15cm lengths to use as wicks. Lighting the wick: With new wicks, I like to dip the burning end in wax to make the first lighting easier. Thinner wicks will ignite more easily while thicker ones will stay in place, especially when transported from place to place. Start with the wick 1cm above the hole until it ignites and burns for a few minutes, then use tweezers or a pick to adjust the wick up or down until the light is about the same as a regular candle. and no smoking. After the first ignition goes out and before the next ignition, I trim the wick with scissors just enough to even out the end of the wick, but don't cut off the entire "charred" area. This charred area will help start the next lighting. I also flatten the burning end of the wick with my fingers to make it a little thinner. This does two things; It dries the oil a bit on top, meaning you need less oil to heat and burn, and thinner wicks light up easier because there's less mass to heat. Since vegetable oil doesn't ignite as easily as kerosene or paraffin, you'll need to hold the flame on the wick a little longer (maybe 1 or 2 minutes) for it to ignite. I would recommend using a BBQ lighter or candle (use wax to light it) to help the process. I would not recommend BIC lighters as they get very hot if lit for long periods of time and risk melting, catching fire or even exploding in your hand! You may get a tiny blue flame when the wick first "takes hold" but don't let it go out, just hold the lighter there until the wick becomes a stronger yellow flame. Even if the entire wick is not lit, that flame will eventually go through the wick and ignite it fully. After it has become strong for a few minutes, use your tweezers/pick to adjust the brightness of the flame and the lack of smoke. Safety Considerations: While I haven't noticed any leaks, there is always a chance of a ceramic/clay cracking. For safety, you can put a saucer or a plate under it. Never leave it unattended, especially if you have pets or small children who could knock it off a table or other platform. You definitely don't need the help of the fire department. In addition, this lamp feels slightly warm, especially in the spout/wick area. While this means the lamp can be used with oil/fat type fuels (like Betty or DIY lamps), it could also burn your fingers. The bowl doesn't get hot enough to be an issue, but I would use a handle to move it around once it's lit (and keep it level or you'll end up with a mess). In summary, I love the candle for the glow it gives my living room when the electric lights are off. It's time to relax and enjoy the evening. I see this lamp being used for parties, meditation, prayer and many other such occasions. I really enjoy my two lamps and I think you will too.