kerosene heaters : good/no good? Looking for cheap heating for cold days, for my bedroom / study... mom says kerosene is cheap. is this really a good solution -- or with price of gas now, not so good, plus dangerous and smelly?
2017107
I have used wick type kerosene heaters for auxiliary inexpensive heat indoors. They are reasonably effective, but require some operator maintenance. Most are made in Korea, Japan, or China. Kerosene is a bit more expensive recently, but USD5.00 per gallon is still available. Even with so called "odorless" kerosene, there is a moderately strong lingering combustion odor. I am not aware of any safety problems but prudence says only operate with some fresh air available such as a "cracked" window. There also may still exist free standing kerosene stoves that are much more powerful but have not seen in USA for awhile. Buena suerte!
2261629
Good Morning...I am now following up with real answers. It was cold this morning for the first time this fall in our home and I set up the Lasko #5775 Heater. There will be absolutely no danger getting burned. After having it on for 30 min in my bath (by the way is bigger than I thought, a 10 X 10 room), the room was nicely warm and the heater to touch was barely warm. It really has been a great little heater and I still give it 5 stars!!! Have a wonderful day!!!
1142174
Suprised it was damaged!! Mine was packed like a very well! As for the temp? I had that problem yesterday. Smoked a pork roast. Fired up just fine and was running too hot 250! Had both burners on low and both dampers open all the way. So, I turned the valve back on the propane tank. Next think I know the temp is at 150 and when I turn it up the temp will not increase. I shut everything down. Opened the valve on the propane tank all the way and restarted it. Worked fine after that. The propane regulators are very cheap now days and seem to have some issues. I have only used it 3 times and here are some suggestions. Keep what you are smoking if it is a small amount at the same level as the temp gauge. Only use 1 burner at a time. Why? When the 1st one burns out of wood chips you start the other. Then you can change out the chips and it is not hot. Wrap the pans in tin foil! They stay nice and it is an easy clean up when you are done. I am also looking into getting a very thin fire proof seal for the door. It is metal against metal and leaks some smoke. May not be worth the cost but a thought. Also..Make sure you burn it off!! Do it slow and work the vents and the doors as it heats up! They will stick! Hope this helps! Going to do a big turkey this weekend?! Yikes!!!
1071192
Hi, We turn the heat down in the rest of the house and just use it in the room we sleep in at night,, but do keep pipes warm still, freexzing pipes is not a good Idea, we do save alot using these in our huge bedroom that used to be a 2 1/2 car garage.. I love my DeLonghi oil heaters, just plug in and enjoy the warmth, yes you will save $$$
2036021
We have used ours for 2 years now. So far no problem w/ the heater. We did have a problem where something got stuck and melted much of the unit. I contacted the manufacturer and they were very good about repairing my unit. I have actually had a couple of problems, the other was some board went out. Again, they were very good about replacing the board. I have not had a problem in a while, so I don't know if they would still be so good, but we do LOVE our machine!
1465087
We have used in our home for years; however, we have a drafty old house with plenty of fresh air. Certainly, these heaters are much safer than kerosene heaters!
978411
I spoke with the company this afternoon and they said that the heater is the best they can find in order to keep the price down. They are open to any suggestions for another heater that is both better and less expensive. They also said that they have since switched manufacturers for their filter pump to Intex. Personally, I have not come across any problems with the heater or pump but I was curious if the company offered other options for me to consider for the future.
1452487
You must have "gas" to use this heater. If you don't have gas in your home then this type of heater will not work. If you have an all electric home. I suggest contacting your gas company for advice on the type of heater to get. I'm not an expert at all.
1897536
We used it in an open room---it heated a living room and kitchen made it very comfortable.. there wasn't any smell till it got close to running out of fuel. We really loved it. Don't know if this will help you if not I can try to give you more info.
91543
Do you have any propane units at all that your using now?It's a great heater I would google it too...and see
26396
I'm not sure what grade your local station sells; however everything I have read states the lowest grade used should be K1. I use an adative that removes most of the smell and fumes. I'm sure it would run on almost any Kerosene, but given the small area inside the unit I would guess that low grade would leave lots of residue. This would most likely cause issues if used regularly. That's just my thoughts though
1651930
Wal-mart (NH) for around 10 bucks and it comes with a replacement electronic starter. Caution!! be very precise lining up the wick line with the base or you will have to do it over. I Had to do the process 3 times to get it just right. Not hard to do but trying to align a kerosene soaked wick is pretty messy! Love the heater and being very warm while using it. Fuel use is not what it says on the box roughly 4 - 5 hours a gallon not the nine stated on the box.
1564111
Yes, it's safe. It's the only propane heater I'd recommend for indoor use of any kind. I use these regularly -- as in DAILY -- in my 200 sq foot cabin for weeks at a time, and have done so over the course of 6 years. I don't think most people answering actually use these for heating a small space, or for daily heating. I do. I wouldn't leave it on while you sleep. Yes, it's safe. I've certainly slept while my heater is on. But it's still a propane appliance, and it's just not good practice to sleep with an open flame in a room. If I'm using the heater on and off during the day/night, I leave the propane tank on. If I'm not going to use the heater for 24 hours or more, I recommend turning off the tank, and burning off the last of the propane in the hose. In other words: 1) Turn the heater on low. 2) Turn the tank off, but let the heater keep burning, using up the propane that's still in the hose. 3) When the heater runs down, turn off the heater. Hope this helps. - tkh
1835769
We've had ours for four winters as well (on natural gas) & there is a slight odor similar to when I light a burner on the gas range, but neither me, my wife, or child are bothered by it because as per instructions we use it only for auxiliary heat & in a well ventilated area. Kerosene smells much worse. If the flame is blue with very little yellow it is burning cleanly.
423483
If she is to use these every day, would suggest you have her buy Crown 1-Gallon Slow to Dissolve Naphtha. Got a gallon at Lowes hardware for less than $13. Several people said it smells less than the zippo fluid, and I have a sensitive nose, and can barely smell anything when filling the unit. Make sure they follow directions as for storing since all these fuels evaporate very easily, which the vapor is what is getting burnt. I purchased a Pint tin for storage inside my house.
2023443
Please read this! I bought one of those cheap stoves from Amazon and it started up with a 4 foot flame. Nearly burned myself and the forest down. Scary!! There is a difference buying a cheap stove - they aren't regulated the same way. At least when you buy a name brand, they have to stand by their product. Will never buy generic again when it comes to something where safety is involved.
2236776
I read a few websites that said you can use a natural smelling oil such as lavender...a single drop or 2 directly in the kerosene. I decided not to try it, because the heater is so good at keeping me warm...I feared it would mess that up in some way. Go to Miles Stairs website and check to see what he has to say about this...you can even email him directly that info is also on his site, he has all the information you will ever need about this kerosene heater...he also sells the "wicks" I have ordered mine from him.