Both (up to) four-hour and eight-hour tea lights can be used in both of these lanterns. The UCO Mini candle lantern (introduced 1996) does not collapse and does not have room for a second candle to be stored underneath but up to six tea lights can be put inside the lantern for transport but have to be removed entirely during use. Lighting them is simple, slide the glass chimney down, light the candle, slide the chimney back up. There is a sight window in the side of the main body through which the amount of remaining candle can be seen. The whole thing collapses in on itself when stored or transported and the glass chimney is protected from breakage by the metal sprung surround and body. There really isn’t much to go wrong with these lanterns other than breaking them through punishment or carelessness. Fumes and heat escape from the open top surrounding a metal cap (that can get very hot). This is pushed up as it burns by a thin spring. The candle is inserted into the base of the lantern, into the bottom of a narrow metal tube from which the wick protrudes at the top. This chimney couldn’t slide down on earlier models and was a welcome design change that permitted easier lighting. There is a metal body with a slide down-able glass chimney that protects the candle from breezes. The design and build of the UCO candle lanterns appears to be simple but has some rather clever touches. Japanese made Northern Lights flip top candle lantern

Uco micro candle lantern