Will kerosene work?

[petekadish]

No, not in my bike. I'm smarter than that.

 

Okay, this is way off the topic of bikes & ridin', but the roads are icy, it's the middle of winter and I'm trying to get caught-up on my "to do" list, and I'm looking for a little advice.

 

Last winter, I pulled-out a really old kerosene heater to see if I could warm up my garage enough to putter around with my bike (okay, I guess this is bike related). This heater hasn't been fired-up in probably twenty years. But, it's still in great shape and operates just fine. So, I went out and bought a few gallons of K1 kerosene and filled up the heater. Well, it actually did work well. However, when it was time to turn the wick down, it would not lower enough to extinguish the flame. That was a challenge. I finally ended up smothering it with a tin-foil cap. Anyway, someone recently suggested that my problem with the wick not lowering was probably because the wick was really old and needed to be replaced. So, I got on-line and ordered a new wick.

 

I have my new wick all ready, to put in the heater, but a new concern has been raised. I read somewhere on-line that Kerosene doesn't store well and the quality degrades after a while. Well, I still have about four gallons of the kerosene which I purchased last winter, plus the remainder of what has been sitting in the heater since filling it last winter. The four gallons has been stored inside the garage in a sealed fuel container and I don't expect that any moisture has been able to get in to either that container or in to the heater.

 

If we were talking about fuel for my bike and I had any question about putting anything questionable in it, I wouldn't. It's just too much potential trouble for the little money I could save by buying a few gallons of gas. But, since the mechanics of the heater are so much different than that of an engine, is it all right to try to use this kerosene I bought last year. Or, has it probably broken down or degraded to where it won't provide acceptable performance? I don't want old fuel to cause me any further problems. But, if I can use one year old kerosene, then I won't have to figure out how to dispose of what I have left - I'll just use it.

 

I will wait to do anything with it until I receive some feedback. Your suggestions are appreciated.

 

Thanks! Pete.

[georgew48]

I'm not sure about kersone but I leave fuel oil in my storage tank that is left over from one winter till the next and have never had any problems with my oil heater in the house. I do change the inline filter each fall before I start the heating season.

[Kregerdoodle]

Well, I am far from being a Guru on the subject, but I would think that as long as it will burn in the heater as it is suposed too, it should be fine. Is your heater the kind that has the big oval dome type element???

 

 

Good luck and stay warm.....I have the AC blasting right now...:rotf:

 

But is s`pose to be getting cold in a few day!!

[Guest KitCarson]

Your little heater will work fine. I grew up on a very large farm.....we used kerosene for everything from heating to mixing with brush killer to kill brush. Some items of equipment would sit for several years without use, just go fire them up, they always work fine. Diesel equipment might sit in the field for several years.........go stick a new battery in it and it would fire right up.

[Terry Richardson]

Well that old fuel might cause a problem. If the heater starts pinging and you cant get the flame to rev up very high could be the octane is a little low. You may have to jump start it with several matches before you getting running on all wicks. :rotf:

[hipshot]

i agree with kit.

if it will ignite, use it!

one thing you left out kit! we used it for "medicinal purposes", too!

lol

just jt

[starman]

do not use in in closed in area. Carbon monoxide thing. Good luck.

[flb_78]

Diesel and Kerosene doesn't give off Carbon Monoxide. I'm a diesel mechanic.

[flb_78]

Oh yeah, it's just a 20 year old heater, burn the old stuff, it'll be fine.

[lonestarmedic]

I used to service the Kerosun brand heaters. We found that for the most part a full container doesn't seem to draw much moisture. Especially if it is really water clear K-1. Your wick will need several maintenance steps to keep it performing correctly. Make sure to soak the new wick before lighting. Fill the tank and lower the wick and let it set for an hour or so.

1) Make sure to install it straight on the holder.

2) Run the heater dry outside every 3-5 tanks.

3) Use a toothbrush on the wick to remove the residue and refluff.

4) Soak the wick for a good hour or so after refilling tank.

We found that most problems were due to unseated burners, dirty wicks, and badly installed wicks. Also, before you light the unit check the tipover safety. Then take it outside, light it, and jar it to check the safety for complete extinguishment. If the heater doesn't have a safety-DESTROY IT!!!!! I have probably put out a dozen or so fires started by bad heaters.

Last statement from my soapbox. Never refill a hot heater. As I recall, the last instance of this cooked a 2 car garage, a new Oldsmobile, did about 10K in smoke damage, and put the family into a motel for a couple weeks.

 

Be safe as you stay warm

 

J.B.

[ken]

Diesel and Kerosene doesn't give off Carbon Monoxide. I'm a diesel mechanic.

 

I recall several years back of an older couple that died because they used a kerosene heater in a small enclosed room.

[Marcarl]

Often times the wick will get hard on the end and then refuse to go down, so you need to trim the wick occasionally. Some folks would trim it lower on the ends than in the middle giving them more fire than with a straight wick, now that is for lamps and may not apply to heaters. As for the fuel, stays good almost until you use it. If it is gelled, as this is what will show it's age, mix with some fresh and with probably work just fine.

[flb_78]

I should reiterate and say that the amount of CO produced from Kerosene is very small compared to Gasoline.

 

Kerosene heaters should not be used in a small, sealed room. It sounds like THIS particular heater is to be used in a garage or shed. We burned a kerosene heater in our garage for years with no problems. I can't stand the smell of gasoline exhaust or cigarettes, but I can't smell Kerosene burning.

[93 venture]

I recall several years back of an older couple that died because they used a kerosene heater in a small enclosed room.

 

I WOULD SAY THEY DIED FROM LACK OF OXGEN, A OPEN FLAME HEATER IN A SMALL ROOM WILL TAKE AND BURN UP ALL THE OXGEN PREATY FAST DEPENDING ON HOW TIGHT THE ROOM IS SEALED.IM ALSO A DIESEL MECHANIC AND HAVE BEEN AROUND DIESEL SMOKE FOR 20 YEARS NOW AND IM NOT DEAD YET, JUST LACKING SOME BRAIN CELLS.

[flb_78]

One of my instructors at Nashville said "Diesel fumes won't kill you like gas fumes, but if breathe enough of them, you'll just wish you were dead".

[Guest tx2sturgis]

But, since the mechanics of the heater are so much different than that of an engine, is it all right to try to use this kerosene I bought last year. Or, has it probably broken down or degraded to where it won't provide acceptable performance? I don't want old fuel to cause me any further problems. But, if I can use one year old kerosene, then I won't have to figure out how to dispose of what I have left - I'll just use it.

I'd recommend 'cutting' the new with the old...say one gallon of the older kerosene to 4 gallons of some new kerosene. Sometimes older kerosene loses some of its 'potency'...it gets more oily and watery...so if you 'cut' it with some new K1...it should be fine.

 

This will let you use the old stuff...or it may ruin the new stuff...but try it and lets see what happens.

 

 

 

[petekadish]

Wow! I really should consult with all of you on more things which I think that I'm start enough to attempt, and then I realize that I should have listened to my wife. I am always impressed about the degree of knowledge everyone so freely shares here. And, not just the technical knowledge but the sincere concern for each others small or large challenges. Association with this group is a blessing.

 

I have used this kerosene heater (an old DynaGlo) quite extensively in past years. When I was first married, this heater helped off-set our heating bill. So, we have used it inside quite a bit without any problems. We never run it unattended or after we have gone to bed. And, we would never run it anywhere which didn't have adequate air circulation. On some of these cold winter days, I'm just hoping to run it in the garage to try and take the chill off so that I can work on my bike a little. It's a two-car garage with a big door in the front and a regular size door in the rear. I figure that if I keep the big door closed, I just might be able to generate enough in there to make it bearable - at least I hope so. It's in the teens today. Tuesday it's supposed to be zero degrees. That will probably be colder than I'll be able to deal with. But, maybe in a month or so.

 

Anyway, again thanks for the great tips and advice.

 

Be Safe. Be Warm!

Pete.

[eagleeye]

Pete, this is my opinion for what it is worth, I've had kerosene heaters in the past, and I would get rid of it and get some type of natural gas/propane heater for your garage.

 

Clean, easy, less expensive, and for sure less of a hassle.

 

BUT,-------------- a guys gotta do what a guys gotta do.

 

Good luck,

 

Steve

[flb_78]

Pete, this is my opinion for what it is worth, I've had kerosene heaters in the past, and I would get rid of it and get some type of natural gas/propane heater for your garage.

 

In my little shed, I use my turkey fryer burner turned WAY down low. Makes A LOT of heat!!

[Guest MotorCycleRadio]

Your kerosine heater should do fine with the old fuel. We also used Kerosine to soak "puncture wounds" in. I jumped off a fence on the farm and drove a huge nail through my big toe. Soaked it in kerosine and it never even pussed up. By the way, it might not be "Carbon-Monoxide", but one of my men lost his wife and baby to either fumes or "lack of Oxygen" in a closed room. The accident report said it was carbon-monoxide. I'm no expert on the matter. The moral is; don't ever have "open-flame" heating in an airtight room. Or let fresh air in every so often.

[Guest KitCarson]

All organic things that burn give of carbon monoxide. Gas, kerosene, wood, paper.....and some plastics produce deadly chlorine gas. I am a plumber and pipe gas systems just about every year, work on older fuel oil systems,and constantly caution those that are poor and use kerosene heaters to not close the windows and doors tightly. I have seen folks cover the windows in older homes with plastic to keep the cold out....and occasionally they die from carbon monoxide poisoning. The worst incident was in Fayetteville Arkansas, where a family of 8 died this way. Yes kerosene heaters in a confined space can become deadly. Usually never is in older homes.....but close the windows tight.......or use in a modern well insulated home with no introduction of fresh air........I see people pay the price for that every year......just like Christmas trees and lights........Respectfully Kit

[Guest tx2sturgis]

All organic things that burn give of carbon monoxide. Gas, kerosene, wood, paper....................or use in a modern well insulated home with no introduction of fresh air........I see people pay the price for that every year......just like Christmas trees and lights........Respectfully Kit

 

Hey Kit...I use a catalytic propane heater in my little camper, and its completely 'clean burning'...the only by product is water vapor. Sometimes the windows will get a 'dew' on them while using the heater.

 

The secret of course is the catalytic process, which burns the propane at a MUCH lower temp than an open flame does. Its nearly 100% efficient...but you DO still have to have ventilation, to let in some fresh oxygen.

 

 

[Yammer Dan]

Use it and make sure it is vented!!

[Orrin]

Basic chemistry guys. If it has carbon and hydrogen in it, it will make CO2 and CO and H2O vapor. Kerosene heaters will give off CO and CO2. You can't burn a hydro carbon with out getting those products of combustion.

Please be careful!

[Guest Popeye]

I grew up with kerosene heaters. I used very old Kero in them & never had a problem. Kept them full in the winter & summer to avoid condensation [water] which probably wouldn't matter much in a burner.

 

Regarding the carbon monoxide [CO], it is NOT caused by the fuel.

Carbon monoxide is a byproduct of the flame/wick...or anything else that burns air.

CO is very unstable, so only a little ventilation is required, of fresh air.

Also, fresh air is only partially Oxygen.

 

Sure never had a Kero heater last 20 years.