A firsthand ownership review of the Snow Peak Nocturne 2021 Edition, model FES 145, often called the Mini Flame.
π The little lantern in the Christmas tree
Christmas 2021 brought an unusual ornament to our tree. My wife had hung a small Snow Peak box among the branches. Inside was the limited edition Nocturne with its beautifully etched glass globe. She knew my weakness for well made outdoor equipment, particularly the care Japanese craftspeople put into small things. The limited edition cost only a few dollars more than the standard model. She chose the one with character. She chose well.
π―οΈ A light for the hour after supper
The Nocturne does not compete with my GigaPower Lantern for the brightest camp kitchen. It is the light I turn to after the washing up, when the food has been enjoyed and conversation can wander. I have used it on kayak camping trips, hammock camps, overlanding trips and outdoor dinners. I have even read favorite books by its warm flame. The etched globe adds something of its own, scattering a gentle pattern across the little pool of light.
I once chased the lightest possible pack as an ultralight thru hiker. These days I am less interested in shaving an ounce than in what I find when I stop moving. A good lantern cannot make a bad campsite good, but it can make a good evening feel complete.
π οΈ Craftsmanship and durability
I admire Snow Peak’s attention to design and the Japanese tradition of taking care with everyday objects. I hope this lantern becomes a family heirloom, but hope is not a durability test. My 2021 edition still looks excellent after roughly five years of ownership. Its decorative glass needs protection during transport, especially inside a kayak. I pack it accordingly.
β½ Fuel use without invented figures
I have not timed a full canister in controlled conditions. What I can say is that my Nocturne has continued burning for more than eight hours on a canister that no longer had enough pressure to operate my GigaPower Lantern. That does not establish a standard burn time. The remaining fuel, temperature and flame setting all matter. I also have not found compatible fuel canisters difficult to obtain in my own experience, although local availability can change.
π The hurricane question
During Florida power outages I have sometimes used the Nocturne on my open back porch when conditions were suitable. From a distance its glow resembles candlelight. I enjoy that quiet atmosphere, but I do not consider it a security measure or a reason to take chances with ventilation. My first recommendation for household hurricane lighting is dependable battery powered LEDs, with spare batteries and a charging plan. The Nocturne is an optional outdoor comfort, not essential survival equipment.
β οΈ A flame is still a flame
Both lanterns burn fuel outdoors and can produce deadly carbon monoxide. It has no smell or color. Headache, dizziness, nausea, weakness, confusion and unusual drowsiness can signal poisoning. Never operate these lanterns inside a tent, home, vehicle, enclosed porch or other enclosed shelter, even with an open window or a carbon monoxide alarm. Move to fresh air and seek emergency help if poisoning is suspected. Keep flames clear of fabric, tarps, children and other combustibles, and follow the model’s instructions and fire restrictions. Neither lantern is a heater or a cooking stove.
For hurricanes I buy dependable battery powered LED lighting first. A flame lantern is an optional outdoor pleasure only when conditions are safe. A storm does not grant a lantern permission to break the rules of combustion.
π₯ My verdict
I would not buy this lantern to heat a shelter, boil water or replace a headlamp. I would buy it for the same reason my wife chose the special glass: because there is room in a good camp for beauty as well as function. Some equipment helps us travel. Some equipment reminds us why we stopped.
π More from my camp lighting collection
GigaPower versus Nocturne: the field comparison | My Nocturne Mini Flame ownership review | Camp Lights: Leaving Room for the Night
Browse the equipment I actually use: Liquid Rhythm Kayaking Gear I Use and FloridaOATS Gear I Use. Some gear page links may earn me a commission at no additional cost to you. I do not claim that discontinued models are currently available.
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