Kerosene heaters

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Has anyone had any experience with a Dyna-Glo kerosene heater? I just purchased one, my first kero heater. Any tips?

-- Gretchen (Berge99@aol.com), October 12, 1999

Answers

We also purchased our first one 3 weeks ago and really like it. Always fill outdoors. When filling with the siphon pump, STOP before the dial gauge reads full as the extra kero in the hose will drain into the tank. Also, don't walk away from the heater when filling w/the siphon still in the kero container because the siphoning action continues even though you're not squeezing the bulb on the siphon.

-- Ruth (reebee@gte.net), October 17, 1999.

Also, something else I came across in my research is to not fill the heater's tank too full, or completely full, I guess is what's meant. Because the kerosene expands when hot, and can overflow. Ours, however, is not Dyna-Glo...ours is a Sengoku KeroHeat CV-2230 convection type. Hope this helps. -Jim

-- Jim Young (jyoung@famvid.com), November 14, 1999.

Gretchen, we have used one for years as a primary heat source. Be aware if you notice anyone in your home getting unexplained headaches, as the fumes could be bothering them. Some folks are more sensitive than others.

Buy an extra wick and extra kerosene pump now. This will cost about $20 total, but we have used heaters so long, the replacement wick was later difficult to find. And with daily use, a pump won't last the entire winter.

I would consider a carbon monoxide detector and a fire extingsher a part of your heating "system".

Aside from burning it off regularly, as in your instructions, occasionally the wick will become stiff and difficult to light because it isn't soaking up the kerosene properly. I think this is probably from impurities in the kerosene, or bad height adjustment when using, but I don't know. Any ways, after burning it off, I just take a dry paper towel and wipe the blackness (shoote?) off of the wick as best you can. I pull upward, trying to keep the wick from spreading or being out of shape. A messy job.

If the gears start messing up and catching, or won't let it shut off properly stop using it immediately. They do not make replacement parts for the gears, at least not that I have found.

Only problem we encountered, saftey wise, is the animals always struggle for position in front of it. Our big dog stretches in her sleep and has moved the heater in this way. The cat's and dog's fur gets so hot laying in front of that thing, it is amazing they don't ignite.

Best to you...

-- Lilly (homesteader145@yahoo.com), November 16, 1999.


Lilly...hi. I tested our round Sengoku KeroHeat 22,300 BTU convection unit last weekend. Functioned normally. Dry burned it afterwards (carbon removal procedure) and packed it away in case needed.

Do I understand correctly? I am guessing here. If I remove the wire cage, and top, and the burner assembly above the wick assembly, can I still then elevate the wick fully in the heater to use a paper towel to remove any residual carbon, as you've described? If I need to, I mean. The manual recommends dry burning once weekly, unless needed more often. The only way that I know of to readily access the entire circular wick would be from the top, short of taking the wick assembly apart (as if to replace the wick, for example).

I have two suited replacement wicks, but this is a new heater, and I doubt I'll need to change wicks this season, not in the one month we can use it, that is. After that one month, no kerosene left, anyway. Moot point after kerosene is exhausted...

-- Jim Young (jyoung@famvid.com), November 17, 1999.


Jim, Now that is a good question. We also have a larger 22,000 BTU round model, but we only use it on rare occasions over the years...usually 10 degrees and a nor'easter if you know what I mean.

I have yet to figure out what to do with the darn thing, short of dismantling it to clean the "carbon?" I do burn it off after almost every use, since never knowing when we might be needing it again.

Our 10,000 BTU, square type, I burn off probably more than once a week, since in some cases it burns almost 24/7. Wick will last one year and into the next some.

Also, if this matters any, last couple of seasons have used this treatment, Wick Cleaner is the brand name, about $2.00 at Lowes Hardware, which is methyl alcohol and has a pine scent (I don't notice a really piney smell myself), but it is to help keep the wick clean, and mentioning it, I think it has been better since using it? This is the second year on this wick.

Best to you.

-- Lilly (homesteader145@yahoo.com), November 19, 1999.



Thank you, Lilly, for your reply. From everything I've read about either convection or radiant types, they would seem to be a durable design. Appreciate the time you took to answer! Our best to you at y2k (& beyond!) - Jim & wife & 3 felons (oops...felines).

-- Jim Young (jyoung@famvid.com), November 19, 1999.

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