Light your way

Off-Grid Lighting: From Oil Lamps to Modern LEDs

When the power goes out, one of the first things we realize is how much we rely on light. A single bulb going dark can leave us fumbling for flashlights, but a grid-down situation that stretches for days—or

even weeks—requires a more deliberate plan. In this article, we’ll review both traditional and modern lighting solutions, highlighting what works best in different situations and why redundancy is key.

Light is critical--so critical that it has earned a place in Dave Canterbury's 10 C's of Survival.

Traditional Lighting Methods

Candles

Candles are one of the oldest lighting tools. They’re inexpensive, widely available, and simple to use. However, they come with limitations: short burn time, relatively dim light, and fire hazards if left unattended. Still, a stash of candles (especially long-burning emergency or beeswax types) can be a useful backup.

A problem that I've had with candles is that if left unattended, they can "melt away" into a pile of gloop and goo... it can be salvaged by melting back and forming into a candle.  But keep them in your car during the summer, and you're just going to have a mess.

Oil and Kerosene Lamps

For centuries, oil lamps have provided steady, reliable illumination. Today, kerosene lamps remain popular among preppers because of their long burn time and relatively inexpensive fuel. However, kerosene poses storage challenges, ventilation concerns, and fire risks. For an in-depth review, check out our earlier article: How Safe Are Kerosene Lanterns?

Modern Lighting Solutions

Battery-Powered Lanterns

Battery-powered LED lanterns offer bright, safe light without open flames. Many models run for dozens of hours on a set of batteries and feature multiple brightness settings. The downside: you’ll need to maintain a reliable supply of batteries—or rechargeable options paired with a solar charger.

LED Solar Lamps

One of the best innovations for off-grid use is the solar-powered LED lamp. These devices charge during the day and provide reliable light at night. They’re safe, low-maintenance, and increasingly affordable. Many models double as USB power banks, making them excellent for multi-purpose emergency kits.

DIY and Improvised Options

Sometimes necessity sparks creativity. Homemade lanterns from jars, cooking oil lamps, or even modified flashlights can provide emergency lighting. While they may not be long-term solutions, learning how to improvise builds resilience. For a comparison of flashlights, lanterns, and their uses, see our related article: Lighting the Way: Flashlights, Lanterns, and More.

Building a Redundant Lighting Plan

No single light source is perfect. Instead, think in layers:

• Everyday use: Solar or rechargeable LED lamps.
• Backup: Battery-powered lanterns or flashlights.
• Last resort: Oil lamps and candles.

By diversifying your options, you’ll ensure light in any situation, whether it’s a short blackout or a long-term grid failure.

Have the Power

Check out our article on Power Landscape from a few years back.  This looks into the question of power cells vs USB charging.  In another article we looked at Compact Solar Chargers for Off-Grid Power.  This is an area where technology changes quickly, so even six months to a year old information is really out of date.

Final Thoughts

Light isn’t just practical—it’s psychological. Darkness can bring unease, while a warm glow offers comfort, safety, and the ability to carry on with daily tasks. Whether you rely on the steady flicker of an oil lamp, the efficiency of solar LEDs, or a mix of both, the goal is the same: to keep your household bright when the grid goes dark.