We invite you to carefully read the following instructions. Lighting the oil lamp can be compared to tending a fire, it invites us to practice a certain state of awareness, presence and patience. It is important to closely follow every step of the instructions below. Otherwise, obtaining a beautiful and constant flame will most likely be difficult. The quality of the flame depends on the quality and type of the wick and the oil chosen. We invite you to take the time to notice what works best for you. 

Necessary  

Plant-based oil

Olive oil, preferably organic, is recommended, 

but can be replaced by any other plant-based oil

Hand-rolled cotton wick (approx. 2 mm thick, preferably organic)

Alternatively, you can roll your own wicks from cotton wool

I recommend buying these cotton wicks

Suggested 

Small pair of sharp scissors

Pair of tweezers, preferably precision tweezers

1. To light the oil lamp, carefully pour some plant-based oil into the body of the lamp until it is filled for approximately three quarters. 

2. Take a wick and cut, if necessary, a piece of about 5 cm length (the length should be a little bit longer than the height of the lamp). With your fingers, form the tip of the wick as you would thread a needle. If needed, dampen the top of the wick a little to point the cotton more easily. Thread the pointed cotton through the lid. Approx. 5 mm of wick need to be left outside pointed above the lid. Then place the lid on the lamp, with the wick tucked in the oil. 

3. Wait for a couple of minutes until the wick has entirely been soaked by the oil. Touch the tip of the wick above the lid to feel if it is slightly oily. Ensure that the tip of the wick is smooth and even. This is crucial to ensure that the flame remains burning slowly and consistently. Then, light the tip of the wick. Depending on the wick, it may take a few seconds for the cotton to begin burning. 

4. Depending on the quantity of oil and the quality of the wick, once lit, the flame can burn for several hours without any further care.

5. Once it weakens, the oil inside the lamp has most likely been used up. Simply extinguish the wick and refill the lamp. Less often, the flame weakens because the wick has been used up. In that case, blow the flame, pull approx. another 5 mm of wick with a pair of (precision) tweezers and cut the burned part with scissors. 

6. Proceeding as described above, the lamp can then be lit again. If the wick has been soaking in the oil for too long, you might want to replace it with a new one, before repeating the same steps. 

7. While the lamp is burning, some oil may appear on the surface of the lid, especially if the wick is pulled up and out several times. If too much oil is stagnant, blow the flame, swipe the oil and light again. 

NOTE

If the piece of wick pulled outside the lamp is too long, the flame will become quite big for a few seconds, then rapidly consume the wick and become very small. In this case, extinguish the flame and wait a few seconds for the wick to cool down before pulling it out - a little less than the previous time. Cut the burnt top of the wick and light it again once the wick has soaked up some oil.