Any Kerosene Heater Veterans?

[Otter]

I'm on the edge of buying my first kerosene heater and looking for insight as far as models, safety, efficiency, but most of all health as far as exhaust from fuel burn off.

I have electric heat and its going to leave me with a prolapsed rectum come December thru Febuary. Any insight appreciated.

[seclark]

used one for years, until we installed an unvented propane heater on the wall and didn't need the kerosene anymore. it was very handy one time when we had an ice storm and lost power for 10 days.

i loaned it to a guy to "try out", and the ****er moved away and never gave it back to me.

this was about 15 years ago...probably better now than they were then. can't remember the brand name of it.

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[Otter]

Originally Posted by seclark

used one for years, until we installed an unvented propane heater on the wall and didn't need the kerosene anymore. it was very handy one time when we had an ice storm and lost power for 10 days.

i loaned it to a guy to "try out", and the ****er moved away and never gave it back to me.

this was about 15 years ago...probably better now than they were then. can't remember the brand name of it.

sec

Did you have any concerns with venelation from the fuel burning unvented?

[seclark]

Originally Posted by Otter

Did you have any concerns with venelation from the fuel burning unvented?

nah...it stunk for a few minutes right after lighting it, but it went away. i thought it was pretty safe. had 3 kids playing around it while it was lit. they've grown up and seem to still be alive.

hell, i liked it, but we went w/the unvented propane wall mount because the wife was working for a propane company. we were getting a good deal on the heaters and the propane.
they both(kerosene & propane) beat the hell out of that electric ceiling heat that was in the old farmhouse when we bought it.

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[seclark]

for the life of me, i can't remember what brand it was...if i knew where that shitbird moved to, i'd call his ass up and ask him. he and his wife used it in an old store they had for a few years, then packed up and moved.
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[Otter]

Originally Posted by seclark

for the life of me, i can't remember what brand it was...if i knew where that shitbird moved to, i'd call his ass up and ask him. he and his wife used it in an old store they had for a few years, then packed up and moved.
sec

Hell, I could research brands and models on Amazon. Looking for first person experience. Thanks Sec!

[Bob Dole]

Used one in the basement office in KC for 8 winters with no complaints. Used for 9 days after an ice storm took out everything in TX.

Other than the initial black smoke and smell when you first light the wick, they are solid.

[Mr. Flopnuts]

I used one in NC when we lived out there and it was great. Fuel is expensive, but it burns forever, and it gets fracking hot.

[Otter]

Originally Posted by Bob Dole

Used one in the basement office in KC for 8 winters with no complaints. Used for 9 days after an ice storm took out everything in TX.

Other than the initial black smoke and smell when you first light the wick, they are solid.

Light it initially outside then bring inside. This is why I ask. Thank you senator.

[smittysbar]

Originally Posted by seclark

nah...it stunk for a few minutes right after lighting it, but it went away. i thought it was pretty safe. had 3 kids playing around it while it was lit. they've grown up and seem to still be alive.

hell, i liked it, but we went w/the unvented propane wall mount because the wife was working for a propane company. we were getting a good deal on the heaters and the propane.
they both(kerosene & propane) beat the hell out of that electric ceiling heat that was in the old farmhouse when we bought it.

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This. We used one for years when I was a kid.

[smittysbar]

Originally Posted by Otter

Light it initially outside then bring inside. This is why I ask. Thank you senator.

No need to light it outside. The one we had was pretty big, you wouldn't want to be dragging it in and out.

[Bob Dole]

Originally Posted by Otter

Light it initially outside then bring inside. This is why I ask. Thank you senator.

Wasn't bad enough to warrant the effort and the cold air coming in as you wagged the door...

This isn't the exact model, but pretty close:

http://www.homedepot.com/Electrical-...&storeId=10051

[mikeyis4dcats.]

the ones we use on jobsites leave black sooty residue on things.

[UberSparky]

The big white ones with the metal cage around em will heat up a 1600 sq ft house without need of secondary heat. The draw back is you gotta keep em away from walls. So, the can be "in the way". The smaller ones heat around 1000 sq ft. But you can put em right up against the wall with no worries. Most of the smaller models have a removable tank that can be filled outside. Saves on spilling messes. A carbon monoxide detector should be used anytime an open flame heater is used. Period. I live in a large farm house been using kerosene 10 years. I have both types.

[UberSparky]

There are special funnel filters that help to clean kerosene that you'd buy from gas station (cheaper). Gas station kerosene seems to always be dirtier than store bought K1. Dirty fuel unfiltered will destroy your wick in as little as a month. Using kerosene additive seems to help this but I recommend buying a filter funnel. Could also mix 50/50 with store bought stuff.