Checked archives, need diesel/kerosene help

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My husband wants to understand the relationship between kerosene and diesel. We checked out the articles and followed the links but need a summary to answer this question:

Can we use diesel in a kerosene heater in the garage?

Thanks.

-- Becky (rmbolte@wvadventures.net), November 26, 1999

Answers

Of course you can use diesel fuel in a Kerosene heater.

It just won't wick as well as kersosene and consequently you will burn up the wick sooner, plus it may clog the wick, plus you will get a lot more unburned by-products, which will make you sick and at the very least, give you a headache.

But then, perhaps you are just trying to keep the cars warm in the garage.

Why don't you try an experiment and see for yourself? make sure you use a new wick and have a source for spares if you decide its unacceptable. Try and burn some diesel in your kerosene heater. See what its like. If its acceptable, plan on using it. If it's not, better to find out NOW while you can get spare wicks and can clean out the heater thoroughly.

-- plonk! (realaddress@hotmail.com), November 26, 1999.


Kerosene is a higher refined oil product than straight diesel oil. It produces less particulate matter when burned, has a higher cetane rating, etc. I notice that some supply stores are selling red-dyed kersene at low prices, but many Aladdin lamp users are shying away from it. Get K1 grade kerosene, it's clear, orderless when burned and not too expensive if you can track down a commerical source. Diesel trucks sometimes add kerosene to their mix to help improve low temperature operating characteristics (it has a low gelling point).

-- Sure M. Worried (SureMWorried@bout.Y2K.coming), November 26, 1999.

Anyone know of a bulk kerosene source in So. Calif (LA) area? Cans at Home Depot are very expensive. There's got to be a better way. Thanks for the help.

-- 5R2k (fiver2000@yahoo.com), November 26, 1999.

i wouldnt use diesel in a kerosene heater. if u have lots of diesel, get a petromax lantern - it produces tons of heat and can also be used as a stove for last resort.

-- lou (lanny1@ix.netcom.com), November 27, 1999.

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