Oil & Fuel Kerosene?

[bfisherman11]

I was gifted a kerosene heater. I kind of looked around at a few stores but don't know where you can buy kerosene. Keeping it tractor related I will heat my pole barn while working on my tractor this winter. Ha

Anyhow, a friend told me I could use desiel fuel. That' sounds iffy to me.

So I thought I would ask you all. I'm sure someone here knows.

Thanks guys,
Bill

 

[Sawyer Rob]

Diesel fuel will NOT burn cean...

I buy my Kero from a gas station, it's priced at a fraction of what "stores" charge.

Box stores and even Walmart here, carry's kero though.

SR

 

[jaxs]

Some do fine with diesel,others not so well. Try it and see. Most big box stores keep it in stock,call Lowes and Home Depot. Ask about special ordering 5 gallon buckets.

 

[bfisherman11]

I shopped at Home depot and could not find it but it was summer so off season. I did not ask but figured they should sell it. I will give it a shot.

Thx,

Bill

 

[Sawyer Rob]

IF it's the "wick" type heater, diesel WILL shorten the life of the wick...

SR

 

[KennyG]

Depends on the type. I have a torpedo heater that is designed for dual fuel. It burns clean on diesel.

 

[IRISHBOOMER]

I was gifted a kerosene heater. I kind of looked around at a few stores but don't know where you can buy kerosene. Keeping it tractor related I will heat my pole barn while working on my tractor this winter. Ha

Anyhow, a friend told me I could use desiel fuel. That' sounds iffy to me.

So I thought I would ask you all. I'm sure someone here knows.

Thanks guys,
Bill

You can use diesel fuel but it doesn’t burn clean like kerosene.

 

[CalG]

I burn Alladin lamps when the power goes out, that can be several days in winter, as we are at the end of the line.

Kero has an "aroma". but is much less then fuel oil.

Lamp oil is less olfactory offensive, but it burns less "nicely".

Pick your priority. If you want heat at the least cost, there are more btu's in fuel oil/diesel. But there are trade offs!

 

[Spanner]

In a Torpedo-type heater they use different 'jet' settings for Kero v Diesel. usually there is an adjustment screw with a lock-nut at the rear of the unit. i.e. you can run the burner on either but you need to adjust the jet depending on which fuel you choose to use.

The instructions will advise to adjust with the heater running such that the front 'cone' glows cherry red in the middle 2/3rds and is darker at the outer edge.

For the wick-type I think you are limited to Kerosene or Paraffin. (Since there is no adjustable 'jet'.)

 

[Wagtail]

Stop by an airport and get some JP5?

 

[George2615]

Most truck stops that sell diesel also sell kerosene. The pump may be marked K-1 or kerosene.

 

[RandyT]

In a Torpedo-type heater they use different 'jet' settings for Kero v Diesel. usually there is an adjustment screw with a lock-nut at the rear of the unit. i.e. you can run the burner on either but you need to adjust the jet depending on which fuel you choose to use.

The instructions will advise to adjust with the heater running such that the front 'cone' glows cherry red in the middle 2/3rds and is darker at the outer edge.

For the wick-type I think you are limited to Kerosene or Paraffin. (Since there is no adjustable 'jet'.)

I have never seen a torpedo heater where I have had to adjust a jet to switch between kerosene to diesel fuel. and I have owned 4 over the years. Not much difference between the fuels. K-1 is basically #1 diesel fuel.

 

[coldsteelva]

Around here, some of our local 7-11 convenience store/gas stations have K-1 pumps, a couple of the mom/pop stations have both off-road diesel and K-1 pumps and failing that, Tractor Supply and Walmart carry smaller containers of Kerosene - usually kept with the 'camping' equipment and small propane cylinders

 

[Deere Dude]

If you are talking a torpedo heater, I have one that the first tank was kerosene $$$ but the next one was diesel from the off road pump. I run whatever is available at the pump and it doesn't smoke or have an odor and ran fine for 20 years so far even in an enclosed garage though I make sure to get venting from doors cracked etc. I would try a few gallons of diesel to see how it goes before I would spring for much kerosene. I a pole shed I don't think you will have a problem.

I see you are from up north and if your pole shed is not insulated like mine was not, it will barely take the chill out of the air which may be enough for you.

 

[bfisherman11]

I think this unit does have a wick. I looked on line and found a picture of what this looks like. Mine needs to have the heat guard put back on so I just downloaded a pic.


Anyhow, I hope my Tractor supply or the BP might have it. I would rather use Kerosene especially the first time I use it. Oh and yes, it is to just take the chill out while I work.

Thanks,
Bill

 

[oldpilgrim]

I use #2 exclusively in mine. Says it will run #1, #2, or jet fuel.

 

[Deere Dude]

I think this unit does have a wick. I looked on line and found a picture of what this looks like. Mine needs to have the heat guard put back on so I just downloaded a pic.


Anyhow, I hope my Tractor supply or the BP might have it. I would rather use Kerosene especially the first time I use it. Oh and yes, it is to just take the chill out while I work.

Thanks,
Bill

I hate to disappoint you, but I would save the fuel and put this unit in storage. It will do nothing for heat in a pole shed.
We had one similar to that in a living room in the house for a few weeks but almost every time we used it somebody in the house would get a big headache. I stored it and moved it through a few moves and it finally went next to a steel pile so someone else could use it.

 

[bfisherman11]

Dude, Could be very true. I've never had one before. Not sure why my daughters friend did not want it but that could be. Ha, well it was free.

 

[Sawyer Rob]

Wick heaters like in the pict., are NOT all created the same, I use to sell them.

Some brands ARE better than others, I like the Kero-Sun brand, but I'm not sure if they are even still around?

Having said that, they need to be used "properly" to burn "clean" and that means Kero only, NO diesel or even #1.

Also, to burn clean, the wick has to be clean and at the proper height or it creates problems...

Good wick heaters are a good heat source, just not ideal for a large space like a bigger shop or uninsulated pole bld...

SR

 

[CincyFlyer]

I hate to disappoint you, but I would save the fuel and put this unit in storage. It will do nothing for heat in a pole shed.
We had one similar to that in a living room in the house for a few weeks but almost every time we used it somebody in the house would get a big headache. I stored it and moved it through a few moves and it finally went next to a steel pile so someone else could use it.

Those come with warnings not to use in houses; at least mine did. And the wick was picky; I went to clear kerosene after trashing a couple (they'd carbon/gook up and not wick) and then they'd last a couple of years. used mine in garage, literally burning the midnight oil.