The Downside of Gas Lanterns On The Front Porch

If you're considering adding gas lanterns to your front porch, you're probably thinking about the classic, warm glow they bring to a home. But before you dive in, there are some things you should know—like whether or not they require electricity and how much maintenance you’ll need to keep up with.

Do you leave gas lanterns on all the time?

Gas lanterns are often left on 24/7 because they don’t have an on/off switch like electric lights. However, if you want the option to turn them off with a flip of a switch, you’ll need to hook them up to electricity. The electricity powers the igniter, which is what sparks the flame. I’ve come across a few complaints online about these electronic igniters burning out faster than expected, but I can’t say for sure—this hasn’t been my personal experience.

If you’d rather skip the electric part altogether, you can go old school and manually light them with a lighter. Just know that you’ll have to turn the gas on each time you want to light them. A friend installed manual gas lanterns on his front porch, and he said that manually lighting them every night was a pain.

What are the drawbacks to gas lamps?

Don’t get me wrong—gas lanterns look incredible. They add charm to any home, but they’re not without their downsides. Firstly, manually having to light them can get tiresome.

Then, there’s the maintenance. You’ll have to clean them regularly because the tops of the lanterns tend to get black from the flame. It’s not a huge deal, but if you’re like me and already have a long list of home chores, this is just one more thing to worry about.

Finally, gas lanterns are always burning fuel. That means you’re spending money to keep them running, which could add up over time—especially if you’re keeping them on 24/7 for that constant glow. This averages $10-$15 per month, per lamp.

Are gas lanterns worth it?

Are gas lanterns worth the cost and the upkeep? For some people, absolutely! The look of a gas lantern is unmatched when it comes to creating a warm welcome to your front porch. If you don’t mind the extra maintenance and the fuel cost, they are a good lighting option.

But if you’re someone like me, who doesn’t want to deal with the cleaning and lighting, you might want to pass. I love the look, but at the end of the day, I’d rather not have another maintenance task on my hands.

If you’re sold on the aesthetic and the cleaning doesn’t bother you, now’s a great time to get the gas line installed and make your front porch shine with some classic charm.

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