Kerosene Heaters and the Like

[DuckieLady]

My mom gave me a call yesterday worried about the snow storm (that's not going to hit us) and was trying to get me interested in a getting kerosene heater.

Apparently her friend has one and said we could take it if we're in need but we just need a chamber for it.

I thought if it comes down to it, I'll just get one.

But the electric bill has been five times higher than what we're used to so. We're getting ready to bring some doors back up from the basement to block off the room so we're not relying on the central heating as much. (My electric fireplace does fine in an enclosed space.)

But now I'm sort of interested since we're leaning more towards self-reliance, so her attempt must have worked a little.

Does anyone know if they're safe and easy to run? Is it kind of costly?

I have an oil lamp and use it periodically, but a kerosene heater is a new concept to me.

 

[talons]

We use electric and as you said about the bill for electric has been going up to unreal levels . 2 people heating half a house with 2 electric space heaters , clothes dryer only other major electric user and our bill last month $305 .00 . Propane heaters are our backup and if it gets real cold we will turn them on as needed or if power goes out .
I have to say not a fan of kerosene heaters , the odor gets me but maybe the newer ones are better .

 

[DuckieLady]

We use electric and as you said about the bill for electric has been going up to unreal levels . 2 people heating half a house with 2 electric space heaters , clothes dryer only other major electric user and our bill last month $305 .00 . Propane heaters are our backup and if it gets real cold we will turn them on as needed or if power goes out .
I have to say not a fan of kerosene heaters , the odor gets me but maybe the newer ones are better .

Getting close to the same for us and we typically turn off central heat before bed, because I have another fireplace upstairs and both electric mattresses and blankets.


The lighting is almost all LED so they aren't much more than a few dollars a month.

I didn't know about the smell. Every time I've seen one it was in a garage but now the more I look into it, it doesn't seem like the safest option.

 

[MA2444]

My mom gave me a call yesterday worried about the snow storm (that's not going to hit us) and was trying to get me interested in a getting kerosene heater.

Apparently her friend has one and said we could take it if we're in need but we just need a chamber for it.

I thought if it comes down to it, I'll just get one.

But the electric bill has been five times higher than what we're used to so. We're getting ready to bring some doors back up from the basement to block off the room so we're not relying on the central heating as much. (My electric fireplace does fine in an enclosed space.)

But now I'm sort of interested since we're leaning more towards self-reliance, so her attempt must have worked a little.

Does anyone know if they're safe and easy to run? Is it kind of costly?

I have an oil lamp and use it periodically, but a kerosene heater is a new concept to me.

They are safe and easy to run...if you are familiar with kerosene heaters. Or more specifically the kerosene fuels for it. Buy the wrong stuff and it will stink so much you will throw it out the front door!

The best kerosene is called K-1 Kerosene. Now you can go down to your local home & farm store and buy it by the gallon for $30-35.

Or you can scout your gas stations and many gas stations have K-1 Kerosene at a pump for maybe $5-6 bucks a gallon! The same stuff. I go to Speedway for my Kerosene and have a 5 gallon kerosene bucket marked for kerosene.

Boy you better remember that's kerosene and not put it in your car, or you'll be hating life, lol.

Kerosene heater fires are the most common fires during the winter months. So don't put it on the carpet or dry wood! Cut a square of sheet metal or have some tiles to set it on, and don't go to sleep with it on. They aint as safe a whole house NG heater and they require a lot of air to burn. So the more btu's your heater the further open you wanna crack a window!

 

[DuckieLady]

They are safe and easy to run...if you are familiar with kerosene heaters. Or more specifically the kerosene fuels for it. Buy the wrong stuff and it will stink so much you will throw it out the front door!

The best kerosene is called K-1 Kerosene. Now you can go down to your local home & farm store and buy it by the gallon for $30-35.

Or you can scout your gas stations and many gas stations have K-1 Kerosene at a pump for maybe $5-6 bucks a gallon! The same stuff. I go to Speedway for my Kerosene and have a 5 gallon kerosene bucket marked for kerosene.

Boy you better remember that's kerosene and not put it in your car, or you'll be hating life, lol.

Kerosene heater fires are the most common fires during the winter months. So don't put it on the carpet or dry wood! Cut a square of sheet metal or have some tiles to set it on, and don't go to sleep with it on. They aint as safe a whole house NG heater and they require a lot of air to burn. So the more btu's your heater the further open you wanna crack a window!

Maybe I will save it for an emergency. Lol! but I will look for K-1 if it comes down to it.

I might see if I have a clay pot around here and try one of these just for fun. See if it works enough to show up on the thermostat.

Kind of doubt it

I'm a little cautious about these, too, since I remember years ago a guy on a boat made something close to it and they exploded.

But I think that had something to do with low oxygen.

 

[MA2444]

Maybe I will save it for an emergency. Lol! but I will look for K-1 if it comes down to it.

I might see if I have a clay pot around here and try one of these just for fun. See if it works enough to show up on the thermostat.

Kind of doubt it

I'm a little cautious about these, too, since I remember years ago a guy on a boat made something close to it and they exploded.

But I think that had something to do with low oxygen.

I've made quite a few different designs of small heaters and this is one that I made that works the best. The stainless steel kitchen utensil thing works great with a Crisco candle if you use a fat wick with it and not normal candle wicks.

I've made candles for a long time and candles will take the edge off the cold in a room but only raise the temperature about 2 or 3 degrees. Which was enough for me but not really very efficient. If you want to try your hand at candle making, it's easy to make efficient candles which have no odor and last a long time but not only that but expensive if you use good wax, like Beeswax. Beeswax actually cleans and purifies the sir in a room by emitting negative ions or something like that. The problem with Beeswax is, it used to be expensive. Now it's outrageous. but the candles burn a long time.

Crisco candles work pretty good if you use a 3/8" round wick to give a better burn and more BTU's. Don't try to use regular candle wicks for Crisco.

 

[DuckieLady]

I've made quite a few different designs of small heaters and this is one that I made that works the best. The stainless steel kitchen utensil thing works great with a Crisco candle if you use a fat wick with it and not normal candle wicks.

I've made candles for a long time and candles will take the edge off the cold in a room but only raise the temperature about 2 or 3 degrees. Which was enough for me but not really very efficient. If you want to try your hand at candle making, it's easy to make efficient candles which have no odor and last a long time but not only that but expensive if you use good wax, like Beeswax. Beeswax actually cleans and purifies the sir in a room by emitting negative ions or something like that. The problem with Beeswax is, it used to be expensive. Now it's outrageous. but the candles burn a long time.

Crisco candles work pretty good if you use a 3/8" round wick to give a better burn and more BTU's. Don't try to use regular candle wicks for Crisco.

I have kind of been thinking about learning, mostly because I bought a grease catcher for the bacon grease.

So I could probably make soap, which means I'd have to buy a bunch of stuff and could probably make candles. I have to use real essential oils for everything, or synthetic fragrances will trigger my vertigo.

They just go together. It just makes sense.

 

[rockytopva]

I have three extra heaters... A wood stove, a pellet stove, and a Mr Heater for small propane tanks...

 

[rockytopva]

I mainly use the wood stove. The other heaters are on because I let my wood fire go out. The wood stove feels good when running!

 

[rockytopva]

And the scene outside...

 

[MA2444]

I have a 96% efficient natural gas furnace in the house that I replaced but I still make heaters and candles and all sorts of stuff because I expect the grid will go down at some point and then my 96% efficient furnace would not run so I thought I'd get ahead of it, lol.

I've made a couple heaters plus I have multiple gas stoves for camping. I have a SVEA stove and I converted my old coleman camp stove to propane and that thing is like 35,000 btu's? Something like that.

And wool blankets!

Fire up the Crisco heater and the camp stove and bring the percolator in and start making coffee and my room would get right toasty.

Plus a bunch of oil lamps for light. Now if I could just afford to stock up the pantry a little bit I'd be all set! Lol.

 

[Verily]

I'm a little cautious about these, too, since I remember years ago a guy on a boat made something close to it and they exploded.

I remember that guy! I wrote those off immediately after seeing that, yeah, no thank you, would never risk it. I'd prefer to freeze to death over burning to death.

We had kerosene growing up, it was fine, I dont have one now though, not sure about cost, but I believe they are much safer than that other option.

My little sister was filling the kerosene up and grabbed the wrong can (they should be in their correct colored cans, like red for gas, blue for kerosene, I THINK, or at least clearly marked). Right before lighting it my dad stopped her and she and the home was spare thank God.

If we all had tiny homes heating them would not even be an issue, homes these days are too big to affordably heat. Although, our heating costs have changed very little and we have electric. I know we got contacted by our electric co-op that they are fighting against these crazies that want them to use some sort of pricey way of obtaining electric and I believe they are taking it through the legal system, but just wanted us to know about it, so that could possible change who knows?

 

[Verily]

And the scene outside...

Your surrounding area looks like ours, rural and surrounded by woods. That could be our place.

My husband cheated this year and we bought wood and had it hauled in and did not chop ours last year. Well, I did because he wouldnt get chopping, and was a little tiffed at me for doing that.

 

[JohnDB]

My mom gave me a call yesterday worried about the snow storm (that's not going to hit us) and was trying to get me interested in a getting kerosene heater.

Apparently her friend has one and said we could take it if we're in need but we just need a chamber for it.

I thought if it comes down to it, I'll just get one.

But the electric bill has been five times higher than what we're used to so. We're getting ready to bring some doors back up from the basement to block off the room so we're not relying on the central heating as much. (My electric fireplace does fine in an enclosed space.)

But now I'm sort of interested since we're leaning more towards self-reliance, so her attempt must have worked a little.

Does anyone know if they're safe and easy to run? Is it kind of costly?

I have an oil lamp and use it periodically, but a kerosene heater is a new concept to me.

Kerosene heaters need to burn clean or else EVERYTHING is going to have a thick layer of oily soot on the surfaces. And even if it's not burning clean it still will leave a film on every surface in the house.

It's combustion without exhaust.

Then there is the monoxide and dioxide exhaust....it burns the oxygen out of the room. A carbon monoxide detector is a MUST if you use any combustion type heat for your house. Every house with natural gas heat has it

The "jet engine" type kerosene heaters are better for burning cleanly but you still need ventilation to provide fresh air.

 

[rockytopva]

I would not recommend kerosene.

 

[JohnDB]

Your surrounding area looks like ours, rural and surrounded by woods. That could be our place.

My husband cheated this year and we bought wood and had it hauled in and did not chop ours last year. Well, I did because he wouldnt get chopping, and was a little tiffed at me for doing that.

I've been splitting wood after cutting it last year. (Seasoned now....burning green wood is a waste) We have an inset wood stove with a fan for blowing extra heat out of the stove. Then the ceiling fans so the heat spreads throughout the house. It can cook you out of the room you are in without the ceiling fans going.

The worst part of splitting wood is picking up the wood after one strike on the wedge. Or the split pieces afterwards. (It happens a LOT with twisted grain of the logs) the logs are unevenly cut or so heavy on one side they tip over.
So....aside from the usual safety precautions of making the log split sideways and the wedge perpendicular to you when you strike it. Steel toe boots, safety glasses, and gloves. It's back breaking labor that makes my forearms hurt. But it's cheaper than LP or nat gas.

 

[JohnDB]

But....
Energy efficiency is cheaper than anything.
Yes it takes a bit of capital. But insulation batting or blown in insulation in the attic can pay for itself in the first month of cold weather if you do it yourself. (Wear long sleeves, goggles, gloves, and a dust mask though)

Even exterior walls, between the studs, can be filled with blown in insulation. But you will have to repair all the holes. Making the cost high. (Mud, tape, sanding and paint)

Storm windows placed over existing windows can help....so can plastic sheeting over them. But plastic sheeting, where cheap, is not very long lasting. Cuts, cracks, comes off, and etc. However, Be careful. Old Victorian houses need to breathe....insulating them causes them to not breathe and trap moisture....making them rot and attract termites.

 

[Verily]

I've been splitting wood after cutting it last year. (Seasoned now....burning green wood is a waste) We have an inset wood stove with a fan for blowing extra heat out of the stove. Then the ceiling fans so the heat spreads throughout the house. It can cook you out of the room you are in without the ceiling fans going.

I think that is what we have, but I havent run that fan for awhile. No, when I checked online that is a fan that is set on top of the woodstove correct? Then that would not be the kind of fan we have. We have something built into the wood stove that you can plug into the wall outlet and hooked into the venting throughout the house. I havent plugged it for quite a few years, I have this pause in me about doing that and I try to listen to that. I am going to see if the chimney sweep can reccomend someone to thoroughly inspect it so will feel better about running it, because you are right, without a fan (whichever one you have) you can truly bake in the living room. The heat (without the fan) makes it to every room except the furthest one back (like it stops at the door). Sort of funny, your walking down this toasty hallway then step foot into this chilly room haha. Hoping to get it looked at and given a clean bill of health, or replace it if we can.

The worst part of splitting wood is picking up the wood after one strike on the wedge. Or the split pieces afterwards. (It happens a LOT with twisted grain of the logs) the logs are unevenly cut or so heavy on one side they tip over.
So....aside from the usual safety precautions of making the log split sideways and the wedge perpendicular to you when you strike it. Steel toe boots, safety glasses, and gloves. It's back breaking labor that makes my forearms hurt. But it's cheaper than LP or nat gas.

I hear you, I know as we get older we need to pace ourselves more. Maybe do a little chopping here and there as we are able, and not do so much at one time like we did when we were younger. I can truly appreciate what goes into that back breaking work. As nice as it is to be able to cut your own because you have the free fallen trees to do it on our own property, we still find ourselves trying to get around doing this and make it easier on ourselves.

Sorta like when your younger you save your money and use your back, but when your older (and have long lost your back) you used your saved money and pay the younger to bring it on in haha.

The chimney guy told us our woodstove is both for wood and coal, but never even heard of putting coal in a woodstove or even how to set up coal in it if we did. I have never even heard of people doing this either. I'm always learning something I never knew before.

 

[JohnDB]

I think that is what we have, but I havent run that fan for awhile. No, when I checked online that is a fan that is set on top of the woodstove correct? Then that would not be the kind of fan we have. We have something built into the wood stove that you can plug into the wall outlet and hooked into the venting throughout the house. I havent plugged it for quite a few years, I have this pause in me about doing that and I try to listen to that. I am going to see if the chimney sweep can reccomend someone to thoroughly inspect it so will feel better about running it, because you are right, without a fan (whichever one you have) you can truly bake in the living room. The heat (without the fan) makes it to every room except the furthest one back (like it stops at the door). Sort of funny, your walking down this toasty hallway then step foot into this chilly room haha. Hoping to get it looked at and given a clean bill of health, or replace it if we can.


I hear you, I know as we get older we need to pace ourselves more. Maybe do a little chopping here and there as we are able, and not do so much at one time like we did when we were younger. I can truly appreciate what goes into that back breaking work. As nice as it is to be able to cut your own because you have the free fallen trees to do it on our own property, we still find ourselves trying to get around doing this and make it easier on ourselves.

Sorta like when your younger you save your money and use your back, but when your older (and have long lost your back) you used your saved money and pay the younger to bring it on in haha.

The chimney guy told us our woodstove is both for wood and coal, but never even heard of putting coal in a woodstove or even how to set up coal in it if we did. I have never even heard of people doing this either. I'm always learning something I never knew before.

Coal burns hotter than wood and sometimes is available to buy cheap in your neighborhood. I don't recommend it as it tends to burn out the mortar between the bricks and its kinda dirty. But in this 1870's Victorian house I live in ALL the fireplaces are designed to burn coal (smaller chamber than for wood) usually you can put a heater in those coal fireplaces and use the chimney to vent the fumes.

If you live near a coal mine you can usually score a truckload rather cheap. (A little cheaper in the short run but more in the long)
I don't burn pine as it causes creosote buildup. Coal causes soot. Hardwood burns cleaner so long as its cured and burned hot and slow.
But yes, there is a fan built into our cast iron fireplace. We don't have the whole house connected to it. (It's a newer addition for this house) We have central heat.
But that would be great if it was. I've heard of boilers that are wood burning that heat homes....but you still have the ash and wood cutting to deal with. Not to mention the mineral buildup inside the heat exchanger.

A good set of carbon monoxide detectors are a must with any type combustion heating. They save lives....

 

[rockytopva]

Coal burns hotter than wood and sometimes is available to buy cheap in your neighborhood. I don't recommend it as it tends to burn out the mortar between the bricks and its kinda dirty. But in this 1870's Victorian house I live in ALL the fireplaces are designed to burn coal (smaller chamber than for wood) usually you can put a heater in those coal fireplaces and use the chimney to vent the fumes.

If you live near a coal mine you can usually score a truckload rather cheap. (A little cheaper in the short run but more in the long)
I don't burn pine as it causes creosote buildup. Coal causes soot. Hardwood burns cleaner so long as its cured and burned hot and slow.
But yes, there is a fan built into our cast iron fireplace. We don't have the whole house connected to it. (It's a newer addition for this house) We have central heat.
But that would be great if it was. I've heard of boilers that are wood burning that heat homes....but you still have the ash and wood cutting to deal with. Not to mention the mineral buildup inside the heat exchanger.

A good set of carbon monoxide detectors are a must with any type combustion heating. They save lives....

I have coal in my woodstove as we speak.