Reviews for the Best Kerosene Heater of 2018
Having a portable electric space heater to hand during the cold winter months is essential.
But....if you are sitting through a power outage and are literally freezing then your electric space heater will not be very useful.
A kerosene heater is the solution. The question is what you need to know to pick the best kerosene heater.
Of course, kerosene heaters are not only useful in emergencies. They are also really great heaters for heating garages or workshops. We take a look here at a variety of kerosene heater models and what makes them great in different situations.
Table of Top 10 Kerosene Heaters
Below we present a quick reference table highlighting what we consider to be the best kerosene heaters available today. Click on the button or the image for further details or read our review below.
Image | Heater Name | Price | Our Rating | Select |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Dyna-Glo RMC-95C6B Indoor Kerosene Convection Heater | $$ | 4.2 | |
| Dura Heat Convection Kerosene Heater | $$ | 4.2 | |
| Dyna-Glo WK11C8 Indoor Kerosene Convection Heater | $ | 3.8 | |
| Dyna-Glo RMC-55R7 Indoor Kerosene Radiant Heater | $$ | 3.8 | |
| Dyna Glo Delux KFA80DGD Kerosene Forced Air Heater | $$ | 4.0 | |
| Sengoku CTN-110 KeroHeat 10,000 BTU Portable Radiant Kerosene Heater | $$ | 4.0 | |
| Heatstar By Enerco F170375 Forced Air kerosene heater | $$$ | 4.2 | |
| BE Pressure HK070F 70000 BTU Kerosene/Diesel Forced Air Heater | $$ | 3.8 | |
| Heat Mate HMN-110 Radiant Kerosene Heater | $$ | 4.1 | |
| Sengoku CV-23K KeroHeat Convection | $$ | 3.8 |
Our Top 10 Best Kerosene Heater Reviews
Dyna-Glo RMC-95C6B Indoor Kerosene Convection Heater
A good quality heater burns the fuel cleanly and with a good quality wick should be last for many hours. The Dyna-Glo RMC-95C6B is one such heater. Able to deliver even heat for a good 8 hours of use. It is a convection heater standing 27 inches high and 18 inches in diameter and weighing 23 lbs. There is a choice of black or white casing.
It is portable but requires care when being moved as many will find it slightly awkward despite the carry handle. It has a manual shut-off and an auto tip-over safety switch, which helps protect against accidents.
The RMC-95C6B is a 23000 BTU heater able to heat a good sized double garage quite easily. Perfect for heating garages and workshops.
Overall the Dyna Glo is a good, solidly built reliable kerosene heater with a large heating capacity and able to burn odor free for 8 hours on just one tank.
Dura Heat Convection Kerosene Heater
The Dura Heat Convection Kerosene Heater is another powerful 23000 BTU kerosene heater. It is a styled in a modern convection heater design with a white casing. The unit is 27 inches in height and approximately 19 inches across. It weighs a little over 28 lbs. This Dura Heat model is very similar to the Dyna-Glo RMC-95C6B although coming in a white only casing.
This heater provides rapid heating, able to raise the temperature in a garage space by around 1 degree F every minute when initially started up. Using K-1 kerosene this heater burns very efficiently and almost odor free. With sensible ventilation it is in fact hard to smell anything when in use.
With a good quality wick, this Dura Heat convection heater burns nice and clean and is able to generate rapid and consistent heating over multiple hours. Build quality is good and this kerosene heater is right up there among the best kerosene heaters available.
Dyna-Glo WK11C8 Indoor Kerosene Convection Heater
This Dyna-Glo WK11C8 heater has a much lower output to the RMC-95C6B mentioned above. It is rated at 10500 BTU. As a result, the heater is both smaller and lighter, being 21 inches tall and 13 inches in diameter and weighing just 14 lbs. As a guide, the 10500 BTU’s should be more than adequate to heat an area of 500 square feet.
As with the RMC-95C6B is a tower kerosene heater design with a wire cage surrounding the heating area, including a carry handle to enable easy portability. The igniter requires a battery, which are supplied with the heater.
Shut off is straightforward using the manual shut-off and it sensibly has a safety tip-over switch to try to minimize damage in the event of an accident.
The Dyna-Glo WK11C8 is a comparatively small, stylish and well built kerosene heater that is perfect for heating a small garage, an RV or a boat and good for storing away for use in emergencies. It comes with a 1 year limited warranty covering parts and build quality.
Dyna-Glo RMC-55R7 Indoor Kerosene Radiant Heater
The Dyna-Glo RMC-55R7 indoor kerosene heater is the first radiant heater on our list of best kerosene heaters. This heater comes in an attractive ivory coloured case with the heating element and reflector protected by a wire grate. The dimensions are 22 inches wide, but 19 inches high and 12 inches deep. It weighs 21 lbs and can be carried around via a handle built into the top of the case.
The 10000 BTU output is able to provide heat for a good-sized room of up to 500 square feet. This is very much an indoor heater but is small and portable enough to be easy to store ready for use in the event of an emergency.
The wick is a little limited in its adjustability, but generally adjusting the wick is not necessary as the heat output is more than adequate for most uses.
As with other Dyna-Glo kerosene heaters, the RMC-55R7 kerosene heater is a good quality, well-built heater that is perfectly able to provide heating for most home situations and particularly useful in the event of an emergency.
Dyna Glo Delux KFA80DGD Kerosene Forced Air Heater
The Dyna Glo Delux kerosene heater can heat up to 1900 sq. feet of space and this is ideal since many homes have rooms that are covered with the described range.
The built-in air pressure gauge and a thermostat mean that there is convenience whenever this product is being put to use as the product user gets to choose the operating parameters that best fits any given condition.
Dyna Glo Delux kerosene heater has a weight of only 26.9lbs, and the assurance is that many customers do find it very comfortable and convenient to carry and move around.
The product dimensions of the Dyna Glo Delux are 32”x11.7"x16.7". If the weight and dimensions of this product are combined, the ultimate benefit is to the consumers. This kerosene heater can fit many space allocations within a home, and provide convenient heating which definitely will be appreciated and enjoyed.
The 80,000 BTU ensures that any heating mechanism is arrived at within the shortest time available, and this is a rare feature to come by in many models of kerosene heaters.
Dyna Glo Delux KFA80DGD kerosene heater is a tough, practical and powerful kerosene space heater and one of our favorites.
Sengoku CTN-110 KeroHeat 10,000 BTU Portable Radiant Kerosene Heater
Sengoku is a brand known for its manufacture of reputable products, and the Sengoku CTN-100 kerosene heaters are built to feature enormous convenience and efficient energy-cost savings.
The Sengoku CTN-110 kerosene heater features an automatic igniter and an ez flame adjustment. This means that control of the heat intensity of the flame becomes very simple.
Besides, many safety features have been incorporated into this kerosene heater, and these includes the switch for automatic shut-off, a switch for tip over, and protective guard.
Sengoku CTN-110 kerosene heater has a twelve 1.2 gallons fuel volume, and this can be used to provide ideal heating for up to 14 hours.
Any purchase of this kerosene heater includes four batteries and a siphon pump, and all these ensure that control factors are easy to apply. Sengoku CTN-110 kerosene heater only weighs 20lbs, and feature product dimensions of 20”x12”x19”.
The weight and the size are advantageous as moving the kerosene heater from one point to the other gets to be easy. Besides, the convenient dimension means that Sengoku CTN-110 kerosene heater can fit into the smallest space available in case there is a need to store after being used.
Perhaps the only noticeable downside of this kerosene heater is its 10,00 BTU rating as many customers consider the rating to be very low.
However, the Sengoku CTN-110 kerosene heater is a practical and affordable kerosene heater, perfect for heating most areas in the event of an emergency and yet small enough to store away conveniently.
Heatstar By Enerco F170375 Forced Air Kerosene Heater
The Heatstar By Enerco F170375 is a 175,000 BTU forced air kerosene heater that you can easily use in a garage or any specific job site. The model comes with a brand new enclosed motor for quieter operation. Controlled by an industry-accredited thermostat, this particular unit effortlessly heats up any space very quickly. Plus, it comes with other safety features that make the product even more versatile and useful.
The Heatstar has a number of striking features and benefits.The F170375 comes with a great BTU output of 175K BTU per hour. Plus, it can burn both kerosene and diesel.
High quality heavy duty construction: This forced air kerosene heater offers an ergonomic construction which ensures guaranteed long lasting and superior performance. It is equipped with an efficient and fully enclosed motor and other large glove friendly controls.
Heating Capacity : This model can easily heat up any space up to 4,250 square feet. It even uses a thermostat for effective temperature control.
Continuous Ignition: This kerosene heater has a tank capacity of 14 gallons. It offers a continuous ignition of around 10 hours (on a full tank).
Overheat Safety Shutdown : This is an exclusive safety feature. In order to avoid potential risks, this model comes with an overheat safety shutdown (the model will be automatically stopped once the maximum temperature is reached).
Usage : Construction Sites, Agricultural Buildings, Workshops, Remodeling Jobs, Commercial Workspaces or Industrial, and other Emergencies.
Few customers have complained that the product is a bit noisy. Other than that, this forced air kerosene heater manufactured by Heatstar By Enerco is an excellent and useful model in its category.
BE Pressure HK070F 70000 BTU Kerosene/Diesel Forced Air Heater
Kerosene heaters can heat your surroundings in an effective and efficient manner. So, if you're looking for a kerosene heater for both indoor and outdoor purposes, then the BE Pressure HK070F 70000 BTU Diesel/Kerosene Heater is a great option.
It comes with an automatic shut-off switch which ensures an optimum safety. Plus, this model offers many useful features like it's easy to operate, it's equipped with a fuel gauge, it comes with an extension cord wrap and so on. Plus, it even allows you to keep track of the kerosene supply.
Let's take a quick look at the most important features of this model.
BTU Output: While choosing any kerosene heater, you should take a close look at this feature. Here, this particular model features 70K BTU output limit.
Heating Capacity: It has a commendable and reliable heating capacity of 1700 Square feet.Easy to Operate: It comes with an "Easy-Lift Handle". In fact, any novice can use it easily, conveniently, and hassle-freely. Plus, it's highly portable and it can be positioned anywhere (as needed).
Safety Measures: It features an automatic safety shut-off system and an easy power on and off switch.
Tank Capacity: It also offers a continuous ignition with a tank capacity of 5 gallons.
Overall, the BE Pressure HK070F is a great kerosene heater that is certainly capable of giving you powerful, long-lasting reliable heat for the price.
Heat Mate HMN-110 Radiant Kerosene Heater
The Heat Mate HMN-110 heater is essentially the same as the Sengoku CTN-110 KeroHeat as noted above. The main difference is that the Heat Mate is sometimes available at a slightly lower price. The HMN-110 is an easy to use kerosene heater adaptable to a variety of situations.
The easily removable tank holds up to 1.2 gallons and is able to provide 14 hours of continuous heating. The heater includes a number of important safety features such as tip-over protection and an automatic shut-off switch in the case of overheating.
The unit is approximately 22 inches high and wide and just over 12 inches deep. It weighs 29 lbs. making it straightforward to move from place to place.
The Heat Mate HMN-110 is a quality heater that is compact and versatile and able to provide electric free heat in many different scenarios. On a full tank it provides more than enough continuous heat for most situations and has all the important safety features for kerosene heaters included.
Sengoku CV-23K KeroHeat Convection
The Sengoku CV-23K KeroHeat is a convection kerosene heater. It has a familiar design followed by many of the modern kerosene convection heaters, being a tower surrounded by a wire frame to prevent contact with the burner.
It has a fuel capacity of 1.9 gallons which given the heat ouput of over 23000 BTU’s should provide a solid 7-8 hours of electric free heat. The unit is 26 inches high with a diameter of 19 inches and includes a convenient carry handle incorporated into the wire frame protector.
The CV-23K should be able to heat rooms up to 1000 sq ft without much trouble. It requires 2 C batteries to work the auto-start feature and these are provided. It also comes with a squeeze pump syphon.
The main issue this and other kerosene convection heaters face is that because it is a convection heater the warm air rises rapidly. This is not so much a problem if used indoors, but means that their usefulness as outdoor heaters is limited. If outdoor use is intended then a radiant kerosene heater is recommended.
The Sengoku CV-23K KeroHeat is a decently built kerosene heater. It incorporates a useful auto-start switch and should comfortably cope with heating most indoor environments. The tank at 1.9 gallons is more than enough to provide heating for a day and the wick, which is the most important component, should only need replacing every 3-5 days use.
Best Kerosne Heater Buying Guide
A portable kerosene heater is a great way to get heat if you for any reason you suffer a power outage or do not have access to an electrical supply point. You can also use them in any outdoor spaces, such as on camping trips or to make sitting out in the garden more comfortable as the evening draws in.
Types of Kerosene Heater
There are two different ways that kerosene heater provide heat on the market today. Convection kerosene heaters and radiant kerosene heaters. Both types of heater use a wick as a source of burning for the fuel.
Convection kerosene heaters
As with all convection heaters, a kerosene convection heater provides heat by creating radiant or conductive heat onto some form of heat exchanger, usually fins with a large surface area. The fins then warm the air surrounding them and as the warm air rises it is replaced with cooler air from below which in turn is heated. Convection kerosene heaters often shaped as small towers, with the heat-exchanger surrounded by a metal frame preventing unwanted contact.
Radiant kerosene heaters
Radiant kerosene heaters are perhaps the more traditional form of kerosene heater. The burners are placed at the center of a reflector area which directs the heat forward. This radiant heat warms objects that fall in the line of sight of the heater. They do not directly warm the air, but after a period of use the air temperature will tend to increase to due heat transference occurring from the heated objects being heated by the heater.
Due to the design of the radiant heater and the need to reflect heat in one direction only, parts of radiant kerosene heaters can become extremely hot and extra care should be taken when using them.
Important Kerosene Heater Features
When choosing the best kerosene heater you should ensure that the model you are considering has some important features that ensures it operates safely and effectively.
- It should be UL or ETL listed, or CSA certified.
- It should have an auto shut off feature in the event that the heater overheats for any reason.
- It should incorporate a tip-over switch that turns off the heater should it be knocked over.
- Your kerosene heater should have a carry handle that allows you to carry your portable kerosene heater easily without having to come into contact with any hot areas.
- Always consider the heating capacity of your heater. Try to buy a kerosene heater that closely matches the area you intend to heat with the power of the heater.
The Advantages of the Best Kerosene Heaters
Although the kerosene heater has largely been replaced most American homes by electric space heaters, the reality is that owning a kerosene heater, even one that is only occasionally used has a number of distinct advantages.
- The obvious advantage that a kerosene heater has over electric space heaters is that it does not need an electrical supply to operate. This means that having a kerosene heater is an extremely useful back up heating device. They are also useful for using in situations where an electrical supply is not readily available, such as on camping trips.
- A properly maintained heater burns kerosene very efficiently. Unlike other forms of heating that burn fuel this means that the heat provided by kerosene heaters is very clean and does not result in the build-up of soot and other by-products.
- Kerosene heaters are versatile and can be used in both indoor and outdoor environments. There is a general concern often expressed that kerosene heaters should not be used indoors, but by taking sensible precautions noted below and by ensuring the space you are heating is properly ventilated there should be no risk to their indoor use.
- Kerosene as a fuel is stable and can be stored for long periods of time. Additives are also available that will ensure long term storage is extended further still. This ensures that kerosene heaters are indeed a useful device to keep stored for use only in the event of power outages or similar emergency.
- Modern kerosene heaters tend to be well made and robust, and you should ensure that any kerosene heater you are considering have a UL listing or similar quality assurance mark. With few if any moving parts within your heater you can expect a long life of inexpensive and efficient heat from your heater.
Kerosene Heater Safety
It is a fairly common misconception that kerosene heaters are dangerous. However, kerosene heaters do burn fuel in order to provide heat and therefore anyone using such heaters should behave sensibly and take basic operating precautions.
- Using impure, or the incorrect fuel in a kerosene heater may well cause pollution and a sooting up of the burner. This may increase the risk of fire. Only use 1-K grade kerosene in your heater. If it is not water-clear then it is not 1-K grade quality. Never use gasoline or other volatile fuels. Using such kerosene alternatives are potentially very dangerous as you risk fire or worse, an explosion.
- If you intend to store your kerosene then you should ensure that you store it in a container specifically designed to keep it. Not doing so increases the risk that the kerosene will become contaminated, which will affect the efficiency of burn. Do not use gasoline containers as this may result in confusion and you may well risk burning the wrong fuel in your kerosene heater.
- Only purchase kerosene from a supplier who is able to certify that it is 1-K grade kerosene.
- Take particular care when refueling your heater tank. Do not refuel indoors. You should only refuel outdoors in an area that is clear of anything that might be easily flammable. The heater should always be off and cool when refueling. Never overfill the tank. Only fill to the “full” mark.
- Should the heater flare-up for any reason, of if unexpected or uncontrolled flaming does occur then you should immediately attempt to turn off the heater, either using a manual “off” switch if the heater has one, or cut-off the fuel from the heater. Under no circumstances should you try to move the heater. This is potentially very dangerous and might result in serious injury. If you cannot reach the heater to turn it off, then you should leave your property and call the fire department.
- Ventilation is a commonly misunderstood topic when it comes to kerosene heaters. Kerosene heaters do not, in fact, emit carbon monoxide or other pollutants into the atmosphere. They tend to burn very efficiently. It is advisable however to ensure the room is properly ventilated. This can be achieved by simply opening a window by as little as an inch. This ensures an adequate flow of fresh oxygen to keep the heater burning efficiently. Ventilation also helps address any issue of condensation arising as a result of the burning fuel indoors.
- The wick is perhaps the most important element of your kerosene heater. You should ensure it is clean and in good condition by undertaking a simple cleaning and maintenance. This cleaning and maintenance routine should be provided to you by the kerosene heater manufacturer.
Regular Kerosene Heater Maintenance
Kerosene heaters are great heating options with several pros over other heating solutions. Unlike electric heaters, they can be used anywhere whether indoors or outdoors. Unlike gas heaters on the other hand, kerosene heaters are very safe. If you have one or are thinking of getting one, below are four tips on how to maintain the kerosene heater.
Regular replacement of the wick
The wick is probably the most important part of the kerosene heater. However, it also happens to be the main culprit when the heater starts to malfunction. To avoid this, make sure that you regularly replace the wicks whether they are cotton or fiber glass. This is because prolonged use leads to build up of tar on the wick surface. This reduces the efficiency of the entire heating system.
Clean and lubricate the wick raising system
Failure to pay attention to this system also leads to functionality problems with continuous usage. Contact with the kerosene on the wick increases attraction and accumulation of dirt and tart on the raising system. This could lead to clogging that makes it difficult to raise the wick. To avoid this, make sure to regularly clean the raising system to remove accumulated dirt and grime. You can use a toothbrush and some warm water. Just make sure to fully dry the system before putting it back into the heater.
Regular cleaning of the oil filter and oil plate
The oil filter and the oil plate are two other important parts that require regular cleaning as part of the heater’s maintenance. With the filter, the aim is to get rid of the accumulated particles in order to allow proper filtration. Here, you can first manually scrap off the grime then clean the filter with pure kerosene and leave it out to dry. For the oil plate, you will have to pump out the excess oil and dirt that accumulates there in order to allow proper functioning of the heating system.
Regular cleaning of the fan filter
The fan filter filters air sucked into the system for the combustion process. With continuous use, dust and other particles in the air might accumulate on the filter causing obstruction of the air pathway. To avoid this, make sure that you regularly clean the filer. You can do this by removing it, rinsing in clean water and drying it before reassembling the heating unit.
After all is said and done, your kerosene heater’s longevity is entirely dependent on how you take care of it. The tips above should help you maintain it for long term optimum functioning.
Summing Up
Kerosene heaters were at one time a very popular portable space heater option. However, advances in space heater technology and the far greater extent to which the electric current is cheap and available in our homes has meant that kerosene heaters are a less common choice of portable space heater.
However, as we have seen above, there are times when having a space heater that does not depend upon power in your home can be a valuable item to own. Indeed anywhere where access to electric power many not be taken for granted will benefit from a kerosene heater. For this reason we recommend that all households have at least one kerosene heater available should they need it.
Kerosene is a fuel that is readily available and can be stored, using sensible storage precautions, for long periods of time safely. In addition, kerosene heaters are very affordable and it should be an easy process to identify and purchase the best kerosene heater you can for the budget and for your household needs. We recommend you review our list of best kerosene heaters and purchase one for your family today.
