The light fixtures screw onto little tiny tanks of propane.
Haven’t had a bit of trouble with them.
Oh they are very popular. I’ve never heard about any problems. I think my grandfather who used them always told us kids it could explode or something like that. Probably just trying to scare us from not touching it.
I live in the DC burbs in an area that often seems third world, the power cuts out so frequently.
Got tired of the Coleman propane camp lights, especially on hot humid summer nights. Too hot, noisy, unstable, and lights of glare with little useful light. Way too much kitchen counter real estate eaten up for food prep.
Found some AA battery powered LED cordless puck lights with magnetic bases that cut-off automatically after 30 mins. With velcro bases I have several mounted under wall cabinets that sit there out of the way and unseen until needed. Got them at Lowe’s for about $25 a pair. Single high intensity LED that casts warm useful light. These have metal cases, not the flimsier plastic jobs. Box of 100 AA alkaline batteries runs $20@Lowes.