If you're a family that camps out or goes RVing, it's a sure bet you own a Coleman lantern or two. Aside from Coleman's famed coolers, their lanterns are probably the second more popular Coleman product that is so recognizable by outdoors oriented folks. And although coolers require minimum care, lanterns require a bit more TLC.

According to Coleman, their lanterns work better, look better and operate more efficiently after periodic cleanings. A good cleaning also promotes better flame control and alleviates possible rust and corrosion. And the best time to do an overhaul is at the end of the camping season.

Under most conditions, Coleman says lanterns can be wiped out with warm water and dishwashing soap then dried before storing.

After cleaning, proper storage of your lantern is also important. It's recommend it be put into a plastic bag, sealing it with a twist tie to prevent spiders or other insects from crawling into the unit, which can block fuel and airflow [The same often happens to outdoor gas grills].

With a liquid fuel lantern, Coleman recommends transferring as much fuel as possible out of the fuel tank and back into the fuel can to prevent a lacquer buildup on the tank's fuel tube. Keep in mind that storing a liquid fuel appliance with fuel in the tank can eventually cause a buildup on the fuel tube, which restricts fuel flow to the generator and burner.

And when it's time to take out the lantern, remember to oil the pump cup on the tank's pump plunger at least twice a year with a light machine oil. This allows, according to Coleman, the cup to seal against the inside of the pump barrel and insures the pump will work smoothly and push air into the tank properly.

Follow these recommended steps and your lantern should function flawlessly for many seasons.

As for the famed Coleman coolers, the company suggests cleaning both the inside and outside with a solution of mild soap and warm water. If the cooler has a faucet as some do, be sure to rinse with hot soapy water and drain completely. Use baking soda and water to remove any tough stains.

If the cooler has an odor, remove it with a diluted solution of chlorine bleach and water. If the odor persists, Coleman recommends wiping the interior with a cloth saturated with vanilla extract, then leave the cloth in the cooler overnight so the vanilla can permeate the interior.

And finally, always air dry the cooler with the lid open before storing.

Coleman coolers are without a doubt the most popular food storage product even among non-outdoors folks. In taking an inventory, I own four Coleman coolers of varying sizes, plus a drink jug.

The array of Coleman coolers is synonymous with the outdoors.

PGC CONSIDERING SEMI-AUTOMATIC RIFLES FOR

HUNTING

The Pennsylvania Game Commission is considering allowing semi-automatic rifles for hunting in the state. If approved, Pennsylvania will no longer be the only state that bans these firearms for hunting.

A bill, sponsored by Rep. Rick Saccone, R-Allegheny, would allow the use of certain semiauto's for hunting. Another proposal sponsored by Rep. Curtis Sonney, R-Erie, would limit their use to hunting coyotes, foxes and woodchucks.

According to a PGC press release, the agency is not expected to oppose their use but wants regulatory control over which species of game may be hunted with the weapons.

Semiauto's would include the popular AR type sporting rifles that current Pennsylvania rifle owners use predominately for target shooting and three gun competitions where a handgun, shotgun and AR type rifle are used in timed contests.