kerosene or #1 diesel

SMHimrod · Dec 16, 2010

Without going into a long story-I have always used kerosene in my torpedo heater. The place localy that I purchased kerosene, at a reasonable price, has closed. I am wondering if I start using #1 diesel will the fumes be about the same or stronger? I will use it in my garage ocassionaly to take the chill off when doing small projects/repairs in the winter.

Anonymous-0 · Dec 16, 2010

Most of the kerosene torpedo heaters will burn diesel and heating oil. I have a Reddy heater and it works perfect with diesel. I leave a door open a little for fresh air and don't notice much smell at all. Dave

kestrel · Dec 16, 2010

Do you have any local airports nearby that sell jet fuel ? Same stuff I'm told and can be cheaper too.

JDemaris · Dec 16, 2010

I've used #2 diesel many times. Worked fine, but yes -it seemed the fumes were a little more intense. My observation though, is not exactly "scientific."

rustyfarmall · Dec 16, 2010

I use whatever comes out of the diesel pump at the local fill-er-up and chat convenience store. Usually it is a soy bio-diesel winter blend. I've got enough "fresh air" vents in the building that the smell isn't even noticeable.

Kentb of SWMO · Dec 16, 2010

With the advent of ULSD the difference between Kerosene And Diesel is VERY little. I had a guy ask me this last winter. I said he might try ULSD. I never heard how he made out but I mentioned this to a couple of other guys who work for the city here. They said they used ULSD with little or no smell in their shop torpedo heater. I think they were also using the red colored off-road ULSD.

Kent

GordoSD · Dec 16, 2010

Begore I insalled a Reznor propane furnace, I burned the no tax red diesel in mine and it worked very well.

Gordo

rrlund · Dec 16, 2010

I use diesel in mine. The only problem I have,and it might not be related to the fuel,I don't know,but I have a little bit of trouble getting it to ignite when I start it up.

Anonymous-0 · Dec 16, 2010

I have a older torpedo heater and it won't start on diesel fuel so I have to use kerosene. If fumes or smell of the fumes are a problem, you can get rid of that problem. Put a hose or something on the back of the heater that will go outside and suck outside air into the heater. This does away with the smell because it's not burning the same air over and over. I also put mine on a thermostat so it only runs when needed. Good luck and happy holidays.

Brad Gyde · Dec 16, 2010

I burn diesel in mine as well.. sometimes it's "road fuel" sometimes it's off road fuel..

Every now and then, it seems like I get more fumes than other times.. Last night was one of those times where I had to turn the heater off and open the door wide open for a while. I usually leave the windows cracked.. and run a small fan.

I was having some troubles with my heater as far as not wanting to start, or "stopping" in mid run. I did all the maintenance recommended, still had troubles. I added some Power Services Diesel 911 (in a red bottle) to the fuel.. Heater has not missed a beat since.

Brad

Mark - IN. · Dec 16, 2010

In Bristol, IN kerosene is $3.76 per gallon. Diesel about .36 cheaper per gallon. My understanding is that they either are or are about the same thing. Now up in Michigan I see "low sulfer" stickers all over the fuel pumps, so I don't know what that will or will not do for the cause. In Bristol though, they won't sell you kerosene unless you admit to having a blue container. Ask the cashier to prepay at the kerosene pump and he or she will ask, "What color is your container" excitedly like the difference between winning a $million or going home empty handed. Knowing the winning answer is blue, I say "purple" to which they stand there and ask what purple means. I make up an answer like is the only color that the Coast Guard or NASA allows on their property, to which they still stand there trying to figure out whether or not I win the $million or go home empty handed. Good Lord, how this world has managed to make it this far without spinning right off of its axis without all of the help me rules and laws having been in place before...is beyond me.

I do have a question though for the experts. Why does diesel foam up when I'm filling up and kerosene does not if they are the same? I'm not saying they are or are not, just asking since I hear they are is all.

Mark

Brad Gyde · Dec 16, 2010

Dang it!! I thought I was the only one who has a purple kero can!!! LOL.. Got a pink gas can too?? LOL

Got to keep em on their toes.

Here's a better one.. go into TSC or walmart or whatever... A 5 gallon gas can used to be like 7 bucks, the kero can was 12.. Same cans, different colors.. I never understood that. I know they're all more money than that now.. been a long time since I stocked them on a shelf at our local Meijer.

Guess blue costs more to make.. LOL

Brad

paul · Dec 16, 2010

Diesel will have additives for lubrication & high-pressure combustion (Centain). This can be 25% of the gallon.....

Kero is sold to burn through a low-pressure spray or wick with some sort of ignitor, so has less or no attitives.

I'd guess that is the difference you see?

--->Paul

Mark - IN. · Dec 16, 2010

Thanks Paul. The difference between kerosene and diesel comes up here from time to time and I recall at least one person saying some time back that he works at a refinery and they are they same thing going into different shipping containers or trucks. Never seemed the same to me, but I'm just a user not any sort of person in the know about that.

Thanks again Paul. Makes sense.

Mark

Anonymous-0 · Dec 16, 2010

so what color can do you use for coal oil ? i remember going to the store with a gallion oil can to get coal oil. the store would put a tater on the spout so you didn't splash any on you . that would be close to 70 years ago .

Anonymous-0 · Dec 16, 2010

kerosene is refined a little more than #1 diesel, Jet fuel used to be a little more refined than kero.

Rollie NE PA · Dec 16, 2010

There must be quite a bit of difference between kero and diesel. Kero will not jell in cold weather.
Our township ordered their winter diesel fuel at a 60/40 mix. The fuel supplier said it was against the law to mix kero and diesel togeather now.

It must have something to do with the kero not meeting the low sulfur regs, but I am not sure.

I

gordy from Iowa · Dec 16, 2010

I don"t know what the difference is between diesel and kero, but I get one heck of a headache when burning #1 diesel instead of kerosene. FWIW.

buickanddeere · Dec 16, 2010

#1 & #2 diesel are a heavier longer chain molecule than kerosene.
The difference in emissions and fumes is similar to the difference between a gasoline and propane engine.

buickanddeere · Dec 16, 2010

Let me see? Spend a few extra pennies or fill your
lungs,bloodstream and liver with unburned and partly
burned organic chemicals from diesel in an enclosed
space?
Or purchase clean burning kerosene?

Doug in Illinois · Dec 16, 2010

I have been using Jet-A for the last couple years. No kerosene available within 50 miles. There is plenty sitting in above ground tanks at a couple places I USED to buy it, but the state won't let them sell it.

Jet-A has just a little more odor than kerosene, but seems to actually burn a little cleaner and hotter.

I haven't called my local airport for a current price, but nearby is 4.19 to 4.26 a gallon. DOUG

john *.?-!.* cub owner · Dec 16, 2010

I have been using the low sulfur diesel sold at the local gas stations in my torpedos for the last couple years, and cannot tell the difference in the 2 of them

Chances R · Dec 17, 2010

I was thinking Kerosene burns a little hotter.

Lou from Wi. · Dec 17, 2010

Well now the age factor shows up.lol. I use to go get "COAL OIL" ina gal glass jug that apple cider came in,and it had a screw on lid as of today. Used that fuel for the 3 burner wick cook stove. Worked too. Not to much smell until STOVE was running out then the stink went through the whole house. remember??? LOU

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