Torpedo heater in pole barn

[Catadj78]

I picked up a 125,000 btu duraheat kerosene heater today. I burned 2 gallons in a few hours and realized burning kerosene isn't very cost effective

It's in a 40x40 pole building with double bubble insulation,osb walls and only double bubble on the top. I left a 10x8 door open about 8" or so to vent even though I believe the building is vented enough without doing so.

I've done research about burning 4 parts diesel and 1 part gasoline but I'm a lil hesitant about that.

Anyone here do it? Any other suggestions?

 

[Catadj78]

Well, learn something everyday. I bought the heater used so I had no manual and the selller said to run kerosene in it , being as it has in large lettering on the side kerosene heater I had no reason to question him.

It appears it will run off kerosene or diesel without any special mixtures.

 

[cliftonbros89]

I have one that’s supposed to be about 55,000 btu and burn diesel in it. It’ll hold just under 5 gallons and it usually burn that in roughly 12 hours. I haven’t timed it exact but I know it’ll run for awhile. The shop we usually run it in is insulated not quite 40’x40’ but just under it. I’ve let it run overnight no problem. I don’t bother with leaving a door open. The shop will usually stay in the 40’s during the winter without any heat for a week when it’s cold. The heater is just enough to take the chill out of the air for awhile. When it’s in the 30’s outside the heater will get the temp into the 50’s for awhile. But when it’s single digits like right now we don’t bother with the heater and just fire up the wood stove for the day.


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[Catadj78]

I have one that’s supposed to be about 55,000 btu and burn diesel in it. It’ll hold just under 5 gallons and it usually burn that in roughly 12 hours. I haven’t timed it exact but I know it’ll run for awhile. The shop we usually run it in is insulated not quite 40’x40’ but just under it. I’ve let it run overnight no problem. I don’t bother with leaving a door open. The shop will usually stay in the 40’s during the winter without any heat for a week when it’s cold. The heater is just enough to take the chill out of the air for awhile. When it’s in the 30’s outside the heater will get the temp into the 50’s for awhile. But when it’s single digits like right now we don’t bother with the heater and just fire up the wood stove for the day.


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I'm wanting a wood stove but have been unable to find one near me that fits the space I have for it. So when I seen this heater on FB marketplace I figured it'll do me till I find the stove and I could still use this to get the shop to temp till the wood stove caught up.

I ran the kerosene for about an hour straight today and could get it up to 60 in the shop and it was in the 30s outside so I'm happy. I did put a couple of fans in the ceiling area to help blow the heat back down

 

[bobbyjean]

mixing gas with diesel....seen some video's---i wouldn't try it...k1 is around 30-50 cent's more a gallon here..i run that
check northern tool for a woodstove..good sale's sometime's

 

[finn]

Off Road Diesel is the same stuff as heating oil from my distributor, and has been $2.50 / gallon (jumped to $2.60 this week)

Kerosene is $4.00 / gallon.

I’d try the blend first, then give straight Diesel a shot if the blend is ok.

Some old salamanders didn’t like old high sulfur Diesel, but the ultra low sulfur stuff is much cleaner than pre emissions friendly fuels were.

Many of the newer heaters are advertised as multi fuel capable.

 

[ratdoggy]

Run diesel...If the building is big enough the smell won't be bad.

 

[machz]

I run both in mine but can't stand the smell/fumes with Diesel so I run mostly Kerosene now.

 

[Catadj78]

I got it running now on straight diesel right now. 30 outside and 60 inside. Smell less with the diesel than I did the kerosene. I'm happy until I can find the right wood stove and get it installed

 

[tyme2par4]

I got it running now on straight diesel right now. 30 outside and 60 inside. Smell less with the diesel than I did the kerosene. I'm happy until I can find the right wood stove and get it installed

I'm assuming you're using on-road diesel, which would explain the reduced odor. It has a much lower sulfur content.
If you have access to off-road diesel or heating oil, they may be a bit cheaper, but will have more smell.

 

[machz]

I'm assuming you're using on-road diesel, which would explain the reduced odor. It has a much lower sulfur content.
If you have access to off-road diesel or heating oil, they may be a bit cheaper, but will have more smell.

This makes sense as I was using off road diesel and the fumes were much worse than the kero.

 

[Farmall 1066]

If you can't stand diesel and kerosene is too expensive, check your local airport for "Jet A" price and availability.
It's basically very clean kerosene and much cheaper.

 

[tom-ky]

This makes sense as I was using off road diesel and the fumes were much worse than the kero.

Here the off road and on road are the same fuel except fort he dye, both are low sulfur.

 

[Catadj78]

I'm running off road diesel. Still 2.40 a gallon. The way I understand the only difference in off and on road diesel is the color. Dyed to show no road taxes have been paid on it.

 

[SgtHawkUSMC]

Diesel is the only way to go. Kerosene is out... Diesel has almost no smell compared to the kerosene in the salamanders. No conversions are necessary for anyone questioning that.

 

[inane2]

Agree with Sgt. I have the 135k unit from Tractor Supply and I made the switch to diesel this winter, won't ever go back to kerosene.

Heater does a great job.

 

[TractorJeff]

Funny that everyone seems to think Diesel smells less than Kerosene?
I would ASSUME that Kerosene is cleaner because it is a higher BTU fuel than the Diesel?
There is no High Sulfur Heating Oil anymore in almost all of the United States. Reason being is that the Tankers and Pipelines that would transport it could not haul Low Sulfur Fuels due to contamination hence it isn't cost effective to purchase at the Depot's. It would also be very hard to refine as it would require specialized handling at the Refinery also.

 

[Rob7181]

I thought it was just me, but I think diesel has less smell and fumes as well.

I bought one and tried 10 gallons of Kerosene and then tried 10 gallons of on road ultra low sulfur diesel and the smell is substantially less with diesel. Easier to find and almost half the cost around here. Diesel, when looking at it, appears to be cleaner looking to the eye.

Are there any drawbacks?

 

[Dragfluid]

Instead of spending a bunch of money on kerosene or diesel, why not get some insulation in there? You said you have "double bubble", so you basically don't have any insulation. Not trying to be an ***, just being honest.
And those fumes aren't the greatest thing to be breathing.

 

[Lassen Forge]

Mine will wipe out 10 gallons of Cheapy dyed stinky red kerosene in about as many hours. And yes, you CAN smell the stuff. Go to the pearl clear stuff (cost 2x as much plus a bit), and it's good for about 7 hours.

I usually burn diesel, for around the same price as the Red K1. But yeah, if you're not insulated, you're pouring out a LOT of waste heat.

Don't get me wrong, it's a lifesaver, and they put out a LOT of heat... but unless you can trap and save that heat, it's like running it with the door open.

 

[cadunkle]

I burn diesel in mine. Kerosene is expensive and I don't see any benefit from it. Slowly insulating, every bit helps.

 

[bzinsky]

Ran a couple of them for about 6 months on a construction project, did a little research on the fuel and tried both numerous times.

Kerosene definitely smells less. Also the main thing is kerosene burns almost completely clean, very little carbon monoxide. Can be important depending on application.

I still mostly used diesel, just because finding kerosene was a pain and it was like $5/gallon

 

[Nuccio]

I have a Hotsy heat mizer 115 it is a 115,000 btu radiant heater. I run off road diesel in it there is just a slight smell. It burns very clean 99% efficient. I have CO alarm and monitor it does not register at all. My building is a fabric arch building 28Wx48Lx 19H i set the thermostat to 60 and it runs on and off about 50%. I am adding 1" foam and 2 ceiling fans to get the heat down from the ceiling.

 

[Joe69]

I've been heating my barn with a 125k torpedo since 2010. I use both on road and off road diesel, whichever I have on hand. Here in Indiana, it's all ultra low sulfur. I don't think I've ever run kerosene in it, it's too expensive.

Joe

 

[pv74]

I run a propane torpedo heater as it's cheap and burns very clean. I have a 40 lb tank that I take to a local U-haul place that sells propane by the gallon. Buying the little 20lb tanks pre-filled is a ripoff.

Standard pole barn insulation (blankets and bubble wrap) doesn't seem to do much more than act as a vapor barrier. I'm planning to invest in more insulation after my new one is built.