kerosene heaters w/diesel fuel

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Jan 18, 2007 | 01:50 PM

stock03

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From: Albuquerque, NM

kerosene heaters w/diesel fuel

Does anyone know if diesel fuel can be used in a kerosene heater?
Any benefits or drawbacks, besides the price of diesel being a lot less than kerosene.

Jan 18, 2007 | 01:54 PM

CARR

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From: Texas

We used diesel in ours after a while they seem to clog up and quit working.

Jan 18, 2007 | 02:35 PM

Scramblinman

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That what I have heard as well. The diesel is a less pure, lower cut of the refining process and does not wick up as well as kerosene nor burn as clean.

Jan 18, 2007 | 03:07 PM

butchb

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From: N.E. Ohio

If you're talking a torpedo heater, then pump diesel #1 or #2 should work. If your talking a wick type, Kerosun ect. They should only be run on K-1 Kerosene. Diesel fuel will shorten the life of the wick a lot!!

Jan 18, 2007 | 05:42 PM

stock03

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From: Albuquerque, NM

Quote:

Originally Posted by butchb

I'm not how to tell if it's a torpedo heater or not. It's cylinder shaped and sits on top of a 5 gallon fuel tank. It's noisy but blows a lot of heat and warms a 3-car garage with ease.

What's a wick type?

Jan 18, 2007 | 05:51 PM

stock03

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From: Albuquerque, NM

...Ok, just found out that the heater is a torpedo. I'm going to try diesel fuel this weekend. Looks like we're getting a snow storm out here in NM.

Jan 18, 2007 | 05:54 PM

Shovelhead

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From: Central VA

Quote:

Originally Posted by stock03

Wick Type..............................Torpedo

....

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Jan 18, 2007 | 05:58 PM

Geico266

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From: Nebraska

Diesel works just fine in a torpedo heater, been doing it for years. No problems at all.

Jan 18, 2007 | 06:14 PM

stock03

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From: Albuquerque, NM

Great info..thanks guys. Shovelhead, thanks for the pictures.

Then diesel it is!

Jan 18, 2007 | 06:29 PM

#10

Shovelhead

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From: Central VA

No problemo.
I have a 55,000btu torpedo that I use to heat my garage.
Yeah it certainly IS noisy.

But in 1/2 hour, it will raise the temp inside the garage 30 degrees.

Jan 18, 2007 | 06:36 PM

#11

ofcmarc

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From: 14mi North of North Pole

Quote:

Originally Posted by Shovelhead

No problemo.
I have a 55,000btu torpedo that I use to heat my garage.
Yeah it certainly IS noisy.

But in 1/2 hour, it will raise the temp inside the garage 30 degrees.

Heck, at -45* 1/2 hour with one of those will thaw out a gelled truck and get it started again.

Jan 18, 2007 | 06:39 PM

#12

Shovelhead

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From: Central VA

Quote:

Originally Posted by ofcmarc

Heck, at -45* 1/2 hour with one of those will thaw out a gelled truck and get it started again.

...and burn all the paint off the truck too......

My garage is cinderblock 30' X 30' with 10' ceilings.

Jan 18, 2007 | 06:50 PM

#13

BearKiller

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From: KENTUCKY

Before you get too carried away, some torpedos can burn Diesel, and some will not tolerate it.

I have dumped diesel in a couple different ones to have them quit and have to be disassembled and cleaned, before they would work again.

Also, diesel puts off a much stronger smell.

If it will abide diesel, without gumming up the works, then by all means, pour it to it.

The only drawback to torpedos is they are like standing next to a jet engine at full throttle, sort of head-splitting.