Kerosene heater question

Discussion in 'Off Grid Living' started by Tully Mars, Jan 8, 2015.


  1. Tully Mars

    Tully Mars Metal weldin' monkey

    Does anyone have any experience using aviation fuel in a kerosene heater? I know certain grades are basically highly refined kerosene and was wondering if it could be used as fuel in a Kerosun type heater. I know I can buy Av fuel easily around here, and from what I've seen its cheaper than kerosene is here. Any help would be appreciated.
     
  2. HK_User

    HK_User A Productive Monkey is a Happy Monkey

    Never have but would if I could be sure of the results. I have a number of Kero heaters and stoves, some pretty big.

    Last I checked Kero was more than Diesel here.

    FWIW.

    I took pictures of a new pipe line yesterday. Maybe the reason fuel is dropping some is that yet another pipe line is being built because more hydrocarbons are being found.

    I'll post the pictures later and start a new post on pipe lines and what I have found locally.
     
    Last edited: Jan 8, 2015
    Tully Mars likes this.
  3. Tully Mars

    Tully Mars Metal weldin' monkey


    What got me to thinking last night while using our kerosun heater was that a couple of winters back in ND a guy I know brought in a space heater to my shop that he used jet fuel in. I was supposed to run on kero/diesel and worked GREAT on the jet fuel. I remembered that last night and it got me to thinking.
     
  4. kellory

    kellory An unemployed Jester, is nobody's fool. Banned

    I would think @BTPost being a fuel man, would have that knowledge in his vast storehouse. Perhaps he will chime in?;)
     
    Tully Mars likes this.
  5. Tully Mars

    Tully Mars Metal weldin' monkey


    Have been shamelessly hoping:D
     
  6. kellory

    kellory An unemployed Jester, is nobody's fool. Banned

    Try asking, he is not shy!;)
     
  7. RouteClearance

    RouteClearance Monkey+++

    TM, avgas is in the same family as mogas(gasoline), just a lot more stable and one other thing that makes a distinction between avgas and mogas is that avgas still contains TEL tera-ethy-lead to raise it's octane to 100 for the high altitude environment that aircraft motors operate in.

    Another thing to take into account is that the sale and use of AvGas is heavily-regulated. Most aircraft fuel dealers refuse to put AvGas into anything other than an aircraft fuel tanks. There is a legal grey area that has some vendors willing to dispense AvGas into "approved" containers if they believe the end use of that AvGas is fueling an aircraft engine.
     
  8. RouteClearance

    RouteClearance Monkey+++

    Now then, if you would be willing to test it in one of your kerosene stoves in a safe manner and well away from any thing that can go up in flames, It would be nice to know if it works.
     
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  9. Illini Warrior

    Illini Warrior Illini Warrior

    for anything to do with kerosene - especially the heaters - check with Miles the guru Home Page - Miles Stair's Wick Shoppe

    in the "kerosene primer" section of the website is posted the following verbatim and in full comment

    http://www.milesstair.com/kero_fuel_primer.html

    COMMENT FROM A READER ON "JET A" FUEL


    "Very few people know that common jet fuel is nothing but more highly refined (read: cleaner) kerosene. It works wonderfully in kerosene heaters, stoves, lamps, and lanterns. I'm an old retired aircraft mechanic and I've handled thousands of gallons of jet fuel. At airports large enough to service jets, you will find that jet fuel is very commonly available. Since the large fuel tanks and fuel trucks at an airport are "sumped" almost daily to remove moisture that can collect at the bottom of a tank, the few gallons drained off frequently is considered waste or close to it. Ask the right people and you might be able to get a few gallons for free. Just check it for a layer of water at the bottom in case it's present." Woody
     
    Last edited: Jan 8, 2015
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  10. kellory

    kellory An unemployed Jester, is nobody's fool. Banned

    Ahh! So it is LEAD PARTICLES being sprayed all over the world! They must be trying to usher in aganda 21! ohno(sorry, I couldn't help myself. I get so tired of fear mongering.) The sky is falling! The sky is falling![sarc1]
     
    Tully Mars likes this.
  11. Tully Mars

    Tully Mars Metal weldin' monkey


    Getting jet fuel and or avgas is not a problem for me.
     
  12. Tully Mars

    Tully Mars Metal weldin' monkey

    Thanks
    Illini Warrior!! Excellent link. I've ordered 6 rolls of wick material and extra wicks for the heater. Thanks again!
     
  13. BTPost

    BTPost Stumpy Old Fart,Deadman Walking, Snow Monkey Moderator

    Ok, there is a basic set of Definitions that need to be understood, before we can discuss this Issue.....
    AvGas = Aviation Gasoline comes in two Grades 80/87 and 100LL (Low Lead)
    Jet Fuel = JetA50 which is Diesel #1 which has been filtered to FAA Spec before it is delivered to the Storage Tank, for Sale.
    These two Definitions are Mutually Exclusive... Just like Gasoline and diesel are Mutually Exclusive Definitions, and Products.

    In the Refining Process Kerosene comes in two basic Grades. JetA50, and Pearl, Kerosene. JetA50 and Diesel #1 are the exact Same Product, at the Distributer Level, and are dispensed from the SAME Bulk Tanks. JetA50 is then Filtered to FAA Specs, before delivery to the AeroFuel Vendor.

    Pearl Kerosene is a Lighter Grade of Kerosene, and is a different Product than #1 Diesel or JetA50. It is usually dispensed in 55USG Drums, or smaller containers, for Sale. It's main use is in Kerosene burning Appliances and Lamps. Because it is a lighter Grade of fuel, it normally doesn't have the #1 diesel Smell when burned, and also in many products has an Odorant, added, to make it smell better when burning. Aladdin Heaters and Lamps can burn either #1 Diesel or Pearl Kerosene, but you can easily Identify which fuel is being burned, simply by the smell. Back in the Day, before Inverters and Propane Heaters, we used these type Appliances here during the winters for Light, and supplemental Heat, after the Genset was shut down for the night. Both types of fuel were used, HOWEVER the #1 Diesel would Soot Up the chimneys in the Lamps and Heaters, significantly more, and need the wicks trimmed much more often, than when burning Pearl Kerosene. I would order 2 Drums of Pearl Kerosene each August, as part of my Winter Preps, just for those Heaters and Lamps. Since we went to Inverter/Charger/Battery Banks, and Propane Heaters, we haven't used the Aladdin Appliances at all, but keep them out in the Dry Storage, ready to go should they be needed, and a Drum of Pearl Kerosene, down in the Oil House, with the rest of the Packaged Goods.

    Backups for Backups..... Two is One, and One is NONE......
     
  14. -06

    -06 Monkey+++

    This is probably a waste of time to say this but DO NOT use gasoline in any form in heaters. Oil is what they are designed to use and burn safely. Gasoline will explode in them. Did read somewhere that you could use a cup of ................ per gallon of diesel to make a non smoking fuel for heaters/lamps.
     
  15. Gator 45/70

    Gator 45/70 Monkey+++

    JP-4 or 5 Ok ?
     
  16. BTPost

    BTPost Stumpy Old Fart,Deadman Walking, Snow Monkey Moderator

    Those are .MIL Specs for Diesel Fuel... and I am not sure of the Cross-References for them, would be, as I was never a .MIL type Guy.....
     
  17. Gator 45/70

    Gator 45/70 Monkey+++

    Thanks BT, I have 4 gallons of I think perhaps JP-5? We ran this in our helo's
     
  18. ghrit

    ghrit Bad company Administrator Founding Member

    If it is recent vintage, it is more likely JP6, and if really recent, it's JP8. Google is your friend on the differences and applications, I forget, it's been over 30 years since I dipped into that stuff.
     
  19. Gator 45/70

    Gator 45/70 Monkey+++

    The fuel is about 3.5 years old, This is what the base manager told me they were running in Bell 407's.
     
  20. ghrit

    ghrit Bad company Administrator Founding Member

    If mil sourced, it'll be likely 8. If civ sourced, I have no clue. A call to the bm is in order.
     
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