Pros and Cons of using kerosene heater in garage?

sjt78 · Sep 22, 2010

Last spring I purchased a new 70,000 btu Reddy Heater on clearance from Sears. The Reddy brand has been discontinued, but for around $50 I figured I'd be ok to be without a warranty. Anyway, I have not used the heater yet and have been doing some research here and on the internet on the pros and cons of using kerosene forced air heaters.

I haven't found too much information besides keeping some air flow in the garage and that kerosene burns cleaner than diesel in these heaters. The manual states that this model is 99.9% efficient at burning the fuel, etc. Do most people find that to be true that don't smell like kerosene after working around these heaters? Will keeping the the garage door opened even more than recommended help with the stink? What can I do to reduce the smell?

Another problem I've read about is the added moisture these heaters introduce. Should I really be concerned about all my tools rusting, etc.? The cold winter air is usually dry so is it really a big deal?

I guess I just want to hear from some people that use this kind of heater and what they do when they run them. I plan on using kerosene out of the pump at the local gas station. As this unit is brand new, I would consider just selling it if all I hear is negative. I'll be using it in a 2 car garage about 18'x24'x9'. I plan to use occassionally when I need to work on the cars in the dead of winter. I've used electric heaters in the past, but the small ones I have take a long time to bring the temp up...basically need to start running them hours before I plan to work in there. Thanks for any help you can provide.

wbrian63 · Sep 22, 2010

I have a 120,000 BTU forced-air "salamander" heater that I've used in my shop.

Heats the space very acceptably, but kerosene is no longer cheap - $2+/gallon last winter, and I've seen it as high as $4.

Don't run diesel - the fumes will drive you out.

There is a small amount of odor from the kerosene - anything objectionable means the heater needs to be adjusted.

I've never had issues with the moisture, even with a buch of cast-iron equipment, but the shop wasn't very tightly sealed, and wasn't used every day of the week.

Mine has a thermostat that's reasonably effective. At least I don't have to constantly turn it on and off manually, but the temp swings between on and off can be fairly dramatic, especially at the edges of the shop furthest away from the heater.

Biggest complaint? Noise. A forced air kero heater is basically a low-power jet engine. Being a smaller unit than mine, your's will probably be quieter, and the size of the heater should be more than sufficient for your application.

Also - think of the heater like a gun. Be careful where you point it. The "nose cone" on my heater gets red-hot during use. Put it too close to your subie, or point it at your subie could melt the plastic bumpers if left alone long enough. Just point it into open space - maybe even use a couple of fans to move the heat around the space and you'll do fine.

If your garage is tightly sealed, I'd get a carbon-monoxide detector, just to be safe, and you may need to crack a window or prop a door open a bit to ensure a good supply of fresh air.

sjt78 · Sep 22, 2010

wbrian63 said:
If your garage is tightly sealed, I'd get a carbon-monoxide detector, just to be safe, and you may need to crack a window or prop a door open a bit to ensure a good supply of fresh air.

Thanks for the advice! It's great to hear from someone who has experience using a salamander, torpedo, whatever you want to call them heater. I will address the CO issue with buying a CO detector with a digital read out. I have one of those in the hallway that is directly above the garage that I will also monitor to make sure it is not getting into the house. When my house was built in the late 50's they decided to run the forced air ducts into the garage to have a 'heated garage.' Well for a number of reasons that is a bad idea, so I've since sealed up the two vents that are in the garage. Before running this heater I'll probably just double check that they are still sealed well.

I realize that the cost effectiveness of kerosene is not really great right now. I'm figuring that I'd probably go through no more than 20 gallons all winter so it might not be that bad. I plan to use the heater for 30 minutes to an hour on full blast to bring the temp up to the high 50's/low 60's then manage the rest of the time with the electric heaters. That way I'll not be using much fuel and hopefully will keep the stink down a bit. My heater does have a thermostat as well, so if it is really cold I can keep the Reddy heater

I do plan on keeping the heater a good distance from anything, especially the car but thanks for the reminder. I will also leave the garage door open 6" or so, or keep the man door open a bit while running the heater just to be safe.

porcupine73 · Sep 22, 2010

The main thing I don't like about running a fuel burning heater that doesn't exhaust outside is that the moisture generated from combustion gets dumped into your space. I used to run a propane reddy heater and noticed that condensation would start to build up on my tools and other items after some period of use. Then someone pointed out that combustion generates moisture, and with that style heater you're dumping the moisture into your workspace.

That kind of unit I am guessing burns best on genuine K-1 clear kerosene?

fflintstone · Sep 22, 2010

I bought the same type unit last February, I used it twice in a 20 x 20 garage and it would cycle on and off as needed. it was nice to be able to get my lazy *** out of the house. I had no moisture issues. I have herd that diesel is more odiferous, and not worth the $1 less a gallon in cost. Nice to have the option thought, kerosene is a minimum of 10 miles away, and I always have diesel for the tractor.
thye are loud however.

sjt78 · Sep 22, 2010

porcupine73 said:
The main thing I don't like about running a fuel burning heater that doesn't exhaust outside is that the moisture generated from combustion gets dumped into your space. I used to run a propane reddy heater and noticed that condensation would start to build up on my tools and other items after some period of use. Then someone pointed out that combustion generates moisture, and with that style heater you're dumping the moisture into your workspace.

That kind of unit I am guessing burns best on genuine K-1 clear kerosene?

Yes, I do believe it runs best on clear kerosene. I haven't purchased any fuel yet so I'm not sure what is sold out of the pump around here. I'm still trying to figure out if this heater suits my situation. I got a good deal on it so if I can leave with the negative of burning kerosene I'll keep it. When I was younger, my dad and I would go to our cabin and that place was heated by a wick type kerosene heater. I remember that there was smell and that we had to keep the windows cracked at night, but it wasn't too bad. I know the forced air models are different though. I've never heard one run so I'll probably be surprised by how loud it is.

porcupine73 · Sep 22, 2010

Yes I have a forced air propane Reddy heater 80,000 btu, and while it is nice, the thing sounds like a jet is taking off in the distance the whole time you're using it. It makes it hard to listen to the radio with that thing blaring away.

My boss pointed out to me the issue about the moisture. He restores cars and said those kinds of heaters are not suitable for body work because the moisture of course lends way to faster rust and other issues.

JMohn · Sep 22, 2010

I have an older 100,000 BTU torpedo heater. I've never had any issues with condensation, but I usually keep the garage door open about 8 inches for lots of fresh air. There is some smell but not bad. As others have said, noise is the worst part.

I estimate that mine burns about a gallon of kerosene per hour. There were some cold days when I had it running practically all day, but I don't spend a lot of time in the garage during winter if I can help it. I used probably close to 20 gallons all winter.

If you have to be out there then the cost, smell, and noise are all manageable compared to the cold.

bochnak · Sep 22, 2010

Pros: Cheaper than a "nice" setup

Cons: Stinks, moisture, noisy, ventilation (I kept the side door cracked).

On REALLY cold days I saw the condensation build up on floor, car, and tools. Other that that it's not a huge deal.

trbomax · Sep 22, 2010

I have 2,a 175k and a 225k. I use them to jump start the big shop and to assist in thawing groomers.I run diesel and really cant tell any difference when I tried k-1.The smell is not something we have found offensive.The moisture is not an issue either as we are thawing equipment.When the coal/wood burner comes up I shut them down ,sometimes leaveing one on and aiming it at the most frozen spots!My shop is pretty tight ,we dont open doors for air. Nobody has died yet!

Northstar9126 · Sep 22, 2010

I run one in my pole barn when working out there in the winter. I just point it at whatever I am working on and wrench away. My only complaints are the noise and the huge puff of stinky smoke that I get when I turn it off. Wouldn't be without mine.

cowboyjosh · Sep 23, 2010

Id worry about the fire dangers associated with portable heaters, with a properly installed, Reznor type electric, gas, or lp heater the dangers are greatly reduced. Just my opinion.

sjt78 · Sep 23, 2010

Thanks everyone for all the great advice. I feel a bit better about trying the heater and seeing how I like it. I understand the negatives associated with this type of heater, but it might be workable in my situation. I can't afford a full blown heater at this point so hopefully this will do.

APEowner · Sep 23, 2010

I used a torpedo style heater in my shop for the first couple of years that I had it and it was a darn sight better than nothing but I sure am glad to have a furnace in there now. The two big things that I disliked about the torpedo were the noise and the intense localized heat. It seemed like I was always either too hot or too cold.

jkeyser14 · Sep 23, 2010

I was helping my neighbor who had one of these in his garage last winter. We were doing some engine work on his plow vehicle when it was below freezing outside. It generated enough moisture to put condensation all over the windows and the cold body of the plow vehicle. Even worse than that was that was the fact that it would eat up the oxygen in the room pretty quickly (or fill it with CO) and give you a headache if you didn't leave a window opened, which kind of defeated the purpose...

I would use one in a crunch, but I wouldn't want to heat my shop with it on a daily basis.

sixball · Sep 28, 2010

I used a 45,000 BTU torpedo in a 24 X 32 garage and it got up to about 65 from 35 in about an hour with the man door half open. I then switched to a 70,000 BTU heater thats forced air, but more of a radiant type. It's about half as loud as the torpedo styles, but runs on kero or diesel as well.

I prefer diesel since it's alot cheaper, I can't smell a difference, and it doesn't smell on my clothes either. The 70,000 BTU heats up the garage from 35 to 70 in about a half hour with the man door half open. I need to get a carbon monoxide detector out there and I could probably shut the door alittle more, and keep some cold air out.

I haven't seen any condensation on anything. It's the way to go for me since I only get 1 day a week to utilize my garage at home.

Sixball

tool whore · Sep 28, 2010

I use one too. Got a new one last year at the HD for an off-site project and ran it with a generator. Works great in my garage. Love the thermostat!

Last winter when my furnace went out for three days I had the kids carry it upstairs and move the couches to one side of the living room and then go back to bed. The fumes are heinous in the house and when I use it in the garage I dont leave the house door open. Wife complains. The kerosene smell does NOT bother me in the garage as it leaks out fast enough. In the house it took about one week to dissipate after using for three nights. Even though the house stunk, it didnt bother any of us to the point of watering eyes and the CO issue is a non-issue as long as its running well. You would notice the CO if it started running ill. I know CO has no odor but the kerosene not being fully burned (like a diesel) will smell foul quickly!

I dont leave it plugged in as too many things can happen!

Red Green · Sep 28, 2010

I agree with most of the above comments. I have 275,000 size and a 35,000. They are loud. I think the clear K-1 burns better than Diesel. If you are getting a monitor I wouldn't worry about leaving the door open especially if you aren't planing on running it for hours straight. There is some smell but I don't think it is too bad. I think the moisture that shows up is more due to condensation of temp change than coming from the burning of the fuel. Try not to let the heater run out of fuel that seems to be when most of the smell/smoke comes out.

I think that you will be good running the Salamander to get the room up to temp and then running the electric heater.

LEVE · Sep 28, 2010

I've had a 70,000 BUT Reddy torpedo heater for 16 years and it's worked fine, even in deep Wisconsin winters in an uninsulated garage. I also used diesel as the fuel.

Last year I insulated the garage. I went to ACE hardware and picked up a 120VAC thermostat for $15. It's placed between the plug and the wall outlet. I made up a pigtail and box for it so I could place it anywhere in the garage I had an AC plug. It heated the 1100sqft garage just fine; it just takes a while to come up to temp when I walk in and plug it in...

I put the thermostat at 60°F. The thermostat would cut the AC to the heater and restore the AC to the heater when the temp drops. When the AC is restored the heater would go through it's start-up and 6 seconds later be blasting out heat. It was a comfortable working temp.

I kept one door up about 3" and that seemed to replenish the oxygen in the garage just fine.... but then... I'm kind a stupid before I started using the heater... so not much would be noticed. It was a worry for me.

This winter will be the first one with a pellet stove installed to heat the garage. The Reddy heater will be retired an installed the 12'X12' shed I'll be be building in the spring.

sixball · Sep 28, 2010

The only bad thing about my radiant style torpedo is you can't run a thermostat (I don't think) because you can't cut the power from it. When you shut it down, you have to flip the switch on it, and it goes thru a cool down cycle where just the fan blows, no heat, no flame, just a fan cooling the unit down, then the power can be cut.

I guess if I wanted to take the switch part apart, I could maybe come up with something to hook a thermostat too, but I don't want to get that involved. For now when I get too hot I just hit the switch. But I must say I am really happy with the way it heats, and it's much quieter than the traditional torpedo.

Sixball

NUTTSGT · Oct 6, 2010

huh ?

what?

Is it warmer enough ?

WHAT?

IS IT WARM ENOUGH ?

YEAH.

man, that thing stinks.

yes, it does. . . I love this song, I wish we could have heard the whole thing.

haugy · Oct 6, 2010

NUTTSGT said:
huh ?

what?

Is it warmer enough ?

WHAT?

IS IT WARM ENOUGH ?

YEAH.

man, that thing stinks.

yes, it does. . . I love this song, I wish we could have heard the whole thing.

Yep.

I use them to bring the temp up fast when I'm in there. Other than that I don't run them. I use about 6 safety heaters to keep the temp around 50 degrees.

jwillis · Oct 8, 2010

I have used a Kerosun (type) 20,000 BTU heater in my house for the past 20 years with no problems. My family room is in the basement so I put it at the bottom of the stairs-it heats my family room plus it goes upstairs and heat half the house. I usually buy close to 100 gallons in the summer when the price is down. Buying it in the middle of the winter five gallons at a time is a hassle. I have gotten used to wearing sweats in my house in the winter if I keep the temperature down lower. I will probably use mine in my new garage this winter. Besides my garage, I have a 14 X 16 shop and one of these heaters will heat it up to about 100* in the middle of the winter. I really like kerosene heaters. No noise, no blowers, just awesome heat. Good luck.

crewchief888 · Oct 10, 2010

i use a coleman propane heater in the garage if i have to just knock the chill off.

i'm a field service tech at a construction eq dealer, and dress for the weather
if it's that cold, and i have to be in the garage, ive already got multiple layers of warm clothes on.
i'll fire up the heater if i know i'll have to take my gloves off to work.
once the wind chills drop below zero, i park myself in the house. :thumbup:

Stuart in MN · Oct 11, 2010

I had a Reddy kerosene salamander heater I bought brand new. I only used it a couple times - even with kerosene it made my eyes water, and it generated a huge amount of condensation on everything in the garage. Maybe I'm more sensitive to the fumes than most people, but it sure wasn't for me.

sixball · Oct 12, 2010

Stuart in MN said:
I had a Reddy kerosene salamander heater I bought brand new. I only used it a couple times - even with kerosene it made my eyes water, and it generated a huge amount of condensation on everything in the garage. Maybe I'm more sensitive to the fumes than most people, but it sure wasn't for me.

Mine had a stronger order the first tank full I ran thru mine. I think the manual said something about that happening due to whats done at the factory before shipping. Now I don't really notice it, but I keep my door partially open to vent.

Sixball

JC23 · Oct 12, 2010

I started with a torpedo and now use three of the small tower kero heaters. With two good ceiling fans, the 900 SF warms up fine in less than two hours. The towers seem to run for days on a tank of kero. Picked them up for like $25-30 on CL. And they are easy to rebuild as there's not too much to them.

I sometimes use the torpedo to warm things up faster. And like many on here, I gagged at the diesel fumes so I stepped up for the kero.

As for the smell, I use an additive that reduces the kero smell and they sell that at Lowes/Depot. I'm not trying to go all Marth Stewart on ya but the additive comes in flavors, too. Between that and getting used to it, I don't know it's there.

Best thing is to insulate the sh!t out of the space. That way, your heat will stick around longer. I can work on the weekend and still be useable on Monday in most cases.

sjt78 · Oct 12, 2010

I'll have to check on those additives at Lowe/Home Depot. That might make things more manageable.

Steve_P · Oct 12, 2010

I've had a 60k btu one for ~15 yrs and like most others here I have no issues with it. I am in a basement garage/shop that rarely goes below 50F in the winter so I just use it occasionally during the day for 10-15 minutes to raise the temp a few degrees. I have no issues with condensation, fumes, etc. I do not crack doors or windows but obviously you are on your own with that.

sixball · Oct 12, 2010

I think some of the condensation issues come from heating up so quickly without any venting. If you raise the temp from 30 degrees to 70 in a half hour like these torpedos can do, you may see some condensation, but it's because the temp is rising so fast.

My garage rarely gets under 34 or so, and even though my heater raises the temp to 70-75 in about a half an hour, I don''t see any condensation, but I also vent it well. Condensation would also have alot to do with the climate outside. A dry cold winter day versus a rainy cold day.

Sixball

danski0224 · Oct 13, 2010

sjt78 said:
Thanks for the advice! It's great to hear from someone who has experience using a salamander, torpedo, whatever you want to call them heater. I will address the CO issue with buying a CO detector with a digital read out. I have one of those in the hallway that is directly above the garage that I will also monitor to make sure it is not getting into the house. When my house was built in the late 50's they decided to run the forced air ducts into the garage to have a 'heated garage.' Well for a number of reasons that is a bad idea, so I've since sealed up the two vents that are in the garage. Before running this heater I'll probably just double check that they are still sealed well.

I realize that the cost effectiveness of kerosene is not really great right now. I'm figuring that I'd probably go through no more than 20 gallons all winter so it might not be that bad. I plan to use the heater for 30 minutes to an hour on full blast to bring the temp up to the high 50's/low 60's then manage the rest of the time with the electric heaters. That way I'll not be using much fuel and hopefully will keep the stink down a bit. My heater does have a thermostat as well, so if it is really cold I can keep the Reddy heater

I do plan on keeping the heater a good distance from anything, especially the car but thanks for the reminder. I will also leave the garage door open 6" or so, or keep the man door open a bit while running the heater just to be safe.

Note on UL listed storebought CO detectors:

They are useless.

They will not alarm until the count is >/= 200ppm for 2 continuous hours.

You will be in trouble if you are relying on a storebought CO detector to keep you safe. Elevated garage CO levels are brought into the house when you open the door.

Anytime you burn something in an enclosed space, you are depleting oxygen. Continuing, once O2 is depleted below a certain point, CO will be created.

The newer hot surface ignition (HSI) models burn much nicer than the sparkplug models. More kerosene odor is created during burner off/on cycles than leaving it on.

I have a 60k btu Reddy Heater with the HSI ignition. Burns about 1 gallon per hour. The remote thermostat works nicer than the stat built into the heater because it is higher.

sixball · Oct 13, 2010

danski0224 said:
Note on UL listed storebought CO detectors:

They are useless.

They will not alarm until the count is >/= 200ppm for 2 continuous hours.

You will be in trouble if you are relying on a storebought CO detector to keep you safe. Elevated garage CO levels are brought into the house when you open the door.

Anytime you burn something in an enclosed space, you are depleting oxygen. Continuing, once O2 is depleted below a certain point, CO will be created.

The newer hot surface ignition (HSI) models burn much nicer than the sparkplug models. More kerosene odor is created during burner off/on cycles than leaving it on.

I have a 60k btu Reddy Heater with the HSI ignition. Burns about 1 gallon per hour. The remote thermostat works nicer than the stat built into the heater because it is higher.

Are there any other CO detectors out there that would be better suited for this type of situation? I was actually going to pick up a CO sensor this weekend for the garage since the weather is starting to turn that way again.

I've never felt weird or anything out in my garage with the torpedo running off and on all day, but I do keep the man door open about half way in a 24 X 32 garage. Last summer I installed a 12 inch power roof vent, and I was hoping by running that I could shut the man door? Thats why I wanted to pick up a CO detector, so I could monitor the difference.

Obviously the heater wouldn't have to run as much if I could shut the door, and I could keep alot more heat in.

Sixball

sjt78 · Oct 13, 2010

Good thing I didn't open the package to the digital CO detector I just bought...didn't realize it measured increases in CO over a span of hours. BTW, the Reddy heater I have is one of the newer ones with the HSI ignition.

danski0224 · Oct 13, 2010

Off on the numbers a bit, but if you do a search on "low level CO adetector", lots os stuff comes up.

I am NCI certified, so I have the NSI 3000.

Here is an informative general link: http://home.earthlink.net/~derekgore/rvroadiervfulltimingwhatisitreallylike/id87.html

subarub4 · Dec 10, 2011

Hey i too have the radiant kero heater I'm waiting for the 2nd one to be delivered today as well.. but I have a question for the radiant forced air type does that kero-clean stuff work at all for this type or is it more for a heater with a wick?

I ask because I mixed the 2 oz in with 5 gal of kerosene and I could not smell a difference.

SportFury59 · Dec 10, 2011

Nobody's mentioned gasoline fume dangers. As I understand it gasoline fumes travel along the floor and is maybe drawn to a torpedo heater or wood stove because of the low height of the units flame. I read recently that in some areas, code dictates that open flame heaters in a garage have to be at least 8' above garage floor to be safe. That would mean something like a Modine Hot Dawg heater attached to ceiling.

Sometimes you hear of guys working on their motorcycles in basement that has a gas water heater down there and the fumes travel to flame and - boom.

I have and use a 115,000 btu torpedo heater in my garage. I use off-road diesel fuel in mine. Cheaper, no road tax on it. Can't tell difference between that and kero. I also have wood stove in garage. (double whammy on fume danger) Use kero to get up to temp quickly, then wood keeps it toasty.

subarub4 · Sep 22, 2013

I have a pro-temp kero forced air heater and I've used normal kerosene in it but last year I switched to diesel since it was cheaper for me. I don't notice any different smell from it, I never used K-1 yet because of the small bottles and high price.

I have no garage so I just run it outside.

lol I did not notice I posted in this thread before hah google search.

rlitman · Sep 23, 2013

subarub4 said:
Hey i too have the radiant kero heater I'm waiting for the 2nd one to be delivered today as well.. but I have a question for the radiant forced air type does that kero-clean stuff work at all for this type or is it more for a heater with a wick?

I ask because I mixed the 2 oz in with 5 gal of kerosene and I could not smell a difference.

The kero-clean stuff is just alcohol (generally methanol). It may help a wick burn cleaner, but will not help with a torpedo or radiant heater. It may actually hurt. By increasing the flame temperature, it increases NOx production.

I've used torpedo heaters (and still have one left) in my garage. Anyone who says they don't smell, is either single, or has no nose. I've burned diesel in mine. The smell was far worse, although I would imagine that in a larger burner, or a radiant model, it wouldn't be as bad.

In any case, I switched to a sealed combustion kerosene heater. I bought a Monitor heater on craigslist, and never looked back. Zero smell (except from pouring fuel), zero indoor CO (my CO detector has a digital display and has reached 40PPM before I shut my torpedo heaters), and no risk of igniting fumes because the intake and exhaust are both outside.

ratdoggy · Sep 23, 2013

I run my torpedo for probably a half hour before I start working in there and it may go on a couple of times after that but it's probably the best compromise.

ratdoggy · Sep 23, 2013

They do have an odor. If you are running clean kero and your heater is tuned up it isn't bad. Diesel smells awful.

Pros and Cons of using kerosene heater in garage?

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