Kerosene or diesel in my heater?

KMinAF · Nov 27, 2011

What if any are the advantages or disadvantages to the two types of fuel? I currently have been using kerosene in my torpedo style heater but diesel is cheaper. I have a 150000 BTU heater that I use in my garage (with adequate ventilation) but I was concerned that diesel might soot up the heater or have a strong smell where as if I understand correctly, kerosene burns cleaner and doesn't smell as bad.

ptschram · Nov 27, 2011

I mix used engine oil with diesel and burn it in a Salamander heater. If you adjust the fuel pressure just right, it won't smoke, won't stink and will be pretty darned efficient.

ishiboo · Nov 27, 2011

KMinAF said:
What if any are the advantages or disadvantages to the two types of fuel? I currently have been using kerosene in my torpedo style heater but diesel is cheaper. I have a 150000 BTU heater that I use in my garage (with adequate ventilation) but I was concerned that diesel might soot up the heater or have a strong smell where as if I understand correctly, kerosene burns cleaner and doesn't smell as bad.

You're correct. Kero is a lot nicer to be around, I agree it burns cleaner, less soot and doesn't smell as bad. I have a 215k BTU forced air heater and I run both in them depending on what I'm doing. I don't hang around too much with the diesel fumes though.

You may want to price going with a ventless heater or an actual vented forced air heater... the advantage of the ventless is they're still 100% efficient like the heater you have now.

Outlawmws · Nov 27, 2011

Find a place that sells kero bulk and it should be about the same $$ as diesel.

Unless your heater is designed or can be re-jetted for diesel, using the wrong fuel is a bad idea.

If this is any type of wick heater, don't do it...

jsaw · Nov 27, 2011

I burn diesel in mine, It doesn't smell amy worse than kerosene, but they both smell bad to me.

fatfillup · Nov 27, 2011

Diesel has more BTU's per gallon then Kerosene and will burn hotter and also give better lubrication to the fuel pump. Kerosene will burn cleaner and therefore smell less. Big thing is both put off CO so ventilation is critical. If you start getting headaches after working in the shop for a while, you don't have enough ventilation.

If this is your home shop and is used part time, crack a door open for fresh air and you should be fine. If this is a full time shop, get heaters that vent the exhaust outside. Don't kill yourself to save a few dollars.

spongerich · Nov 28, 2011

I have a 150K BTU torpedo heater and found diesel to work VERY poorly in it. The smell was intolerable. Around here, kero from the gas station is about the same price as diesel.

jf781 · Nov 28, 2011

jsaw said:
I burn diesel in mine, It doesn't smell amy worse than kerosene, but they both smell bad to me.

Same here with the exception of old diesel. First got my heater it had some in it and I burnt that for awhile and couldn't stand it. Switched to Kero and it smelled better. Got sick of paying for it ($15 for 2.5 Gal at menards) so I switched back to diesel and the fresh stuff had the same smell as the kero.

I can run mine for hours without getting a headache but my garage is also made from an old barn boards that was sided over it (prev owner) so there is lots of natural vents in there. It's also pretty good sizes as well (rougly 30x40) so both of those help.

My heater is also a multi-fuel so it is designed for either fuel as well as a few others.

rlitman · Nov 28, 2011

I've got two torpedo heaters (60kBTU) that I run with diesel. They foul the spark plug a lot (hot surface ignitors don't have as many issues with diesel), but I made my own ignition system with a Beckett solid state transformer that doesn't foul (and has the extra spark needed to get diesel started reliably).

My biggest problem with diesel is the smell. It's awful.
If I adjust it rich, it smokes, and makes CO. If I adjust it lean, it doesn't make CO, but makes so much NOx that it burns my eyes. I haven't been able to find that happy medium yet, but kerosene is SO darned expensive around here.

diesel research · Nov 28, 2011

They don't sell kerosene at the pump anymore???

fitz11 · Nov 28, 2011

i use kerosene in mine. I get it from the pump at the local fleet farm and its still $4.49 a gallon right now.

Outlawmws · Nov 28, 2011

diesel research said:
They don't sell kerosene at the pump anymore???

Depends on where you live, and how hard your willing to look. In big metropolitan areas it is harder, but not impossible.

The biggest cost is packaging. they charge a lot for those little one gallon cans, or even a 5 gallon can. I used to get it pumped bulk from a drum at a local hardware store, but they are gone.

Actually, its been years since I had to buy any; I can usually get it for free or close to it for the quantity I use, I still have at least 5 gallons around.

route246 · Nov 28, 2011

Anyone know in the SF Bay Area where to get kerosene in bulk besides Rotten Robbie gas stations? I can get it in 1 and 5 gallon cans at Home Depot but it's horribly expensive. Rotten Robbie charges $5.79/gal now, up $1.00 from last year even though crude is cheaper now. I'm not sure if $5.79/gal bulk is a good price or not but it sure heats nice and clean. What is everyone paying around the country this year?

bluecomputer · Nov 28, 2011

The lukoil I go to sells kerosene.

Outlawmws · Nov 28, 2011

route246 said:
Anyone know in the SF Bay Area where to get kerosene in bulk besides Rotten Robbie gas stations? I can get it in 1 and 5 gallon cans at Home Depot but it's horribly expensive. Rotten Robbie charges $5.79/gal now, up $1.00 from last year even though crude is cheaper now. I'm not sure if $5.79/gal bulk is a good price or not but it sure heats nice and clean. What is everyone paying around the country this year?

All fuels are more $$ in Kalifonia... Take a look at the gas pump prices we pay compared to ANYWHERE else. If you can, get it when you are out of the immediate bay area... (Just like gas)

route246 · Nov 28, 2011

So we're driving down from NorCal to SouCal next month down I-99 through farm country. Can I get it cheaper somewhere along the way, either on I-5 or I-99 in the central valley? It's relatively inert and safe to transport and I'm willing to pickup 20 gallons if there is somewhere that's much cheaper than $5.79/gallon. We'll be in the SUV so we have space to stow the blue 5-gal cans.

Outlawmws said:
All fuels are more $$ in Kalifonia... Take a look at the gas pump prices we pay compared to ANYWHERE else. If you can, get it when you are out of the immediate bay area... (Just like gas)

Outlawmws · Nov 28, 2011

Maybe in Modesto or if you go that far, Fresno?? I have no specifics, but if gas/diesel is cheaper out there it follows kero should be also... maybe someone out in the Valley will Chime in. As I mentioned I haven't had to buy it retail in a long time. It might be worth hitting a truck stop and seeing what they have.

route246 · Nov 29, 2011

Yeah, if someone can give me specific leads, I don't mind calling ahead of time. I just don't know where to start.

chevy302dz · Nov 29, 2011

I've run diesel in mine for years since all the places selling kero stopped selling it or closed up all togeather. Never had a issue running the diesel.

Outlawmws · Nov 29, 2011

route246 said:
Yeah, if someone can give me specific leads, I don't mind calling ahead of time. I just don't know where to start.

Try "modesto bulk kerosene" in Google... :beer:

rlitman · Nov 29, 2011

diesel research said:
They don't sell kerosene at the pump anymore???

Not that I've been able to find on Long Island.
The 1 gallon containers of K-1 are around $12-14 here.
The 5 gallon metal cans of K-1 are $45-50.

otis66 · Nov 29, 2011

We always used deisel fuel at my shop only because we had deisel fuel for the coaches. Or I should say fuel oil because the bus company I worked for was the state.

bluecomputer · Nov 29, 2011

rlitman said:
Not that I've been able to find on Long Island.
The 1 gallon containers of K-1 are around $12-14 here.
The 5 gallon metal cans of K-1 are $45-50.

Lukoil had it at the pump last time I was there.
It's on Middle Country Road near the Smith Haven Mall
I think it was 4-5 dollars a gallon. I'll double check next time I'm near by.

rlitman · Dec 1, 2011

Well, I found that Hess's web site has a station locator, and they have a search where you can include kerosene (or if they sell the Hess truck toys, etc.). There are a handful on the island, and one is pretty conveniently located for me.

lwlobo · Dec 1, 2011

Try Boyett Petroleum in Modesto.

They sell to businesses and fleets, not sure if they also sell to the general public. I think they do.

http://www.boyett.net/

ltcmikesr · Jan 16, 2018

Been using karosene heaters with diesel for several years in WI, where I was told diesel is now clean enough to compete by price. Just got a new heater, which is now labeled dual fuel. It runs smoky and smelly. Old heaters, not so much. What am I missing?

Farmall 1066 · Jan 17, 2018

Go to your local airport and buy Jet "A" fuel. It's just really clean kerosene and priced better.
Got 15 gallons few weeks ago for $3.90/gallon.
Only downside is I have to use old style jerry cans, as the fill nozzle at the airport is too big for conventional cans.
No big deal, as I have several.

Kerosene or diesel in my heater?

Well-known member

Well-known member

Well-known member

Well-known member

Well-known member

Well-known member

Well-known member

Well-known member

Well-known member

Well-known member

Well-known member

Well-known member

Well-known member

Well-known member

Well-known member

Well-known member

Well-known member

Well-known member

Well-known member

Well-known member

Well-known member

Well-known member

Well-known member

Well-known member

Well-known member

New member

Well-known member