How to Change the Wick on a Kerosene Heater

A kersone heater can be a cost-efficient alternative to running your main heating and cooling system more often. It can provide a little extra heat in places that the heating and cooling system doesn't seem to catch or which aren't connected to the system at all, like an unheated garage. The horseshoe nail of the kerosene heater, however, is of course, the wick, which needs occasional replacement. Replacing a kerosene heater wick is fairly straightforward.

Things You'll Need

• Kerosene heater
• Screwdriver
• Wrench
• New kerosene heater wick

Instructions

Disassembly

1. Run the last of the kerosene from the heater and let the wick dry out as the unit cools down to a safe handling temperature.

2. Remove the battery or batteries from the unit to avoid electrical shock.

3. Take off the fuel compartment with a screwdriver or wrench, depending on the model of your heater.

4. Unscrew and disconnect the knobs and levers that would interfere with the removal of the heater's main front panel.

5. Access the catalytic converter by removing the grill and remove the converter.

6. Unscrew the heater base from the heater cabinet and take the cabinet off the base.

7. Unscrew and take off the ignition.

8. Unscrew the wick assembly and take out the entire assembly by lifting it up.

Wick Replacement

1. Fold the old wick inward and slip it out of the inside wick holder sleeve.

2. Fold the new wick the way the old wick was folded.

3. Slide the new wick into the wick holder sleeve.

4. Press the new wick into the teeth that hold the wick in place to make sure that it stays put.

5. Press against the draft tube to further drive the holding teeth into the new wick.

6. Check the tension of the wick adjuster knob.

Reassembly

1. Put the assembly back into position in the base.

2. Screw the assembly back into position and adjust the height of the wick.

3. Replace the ignition and screw it into position.

4. Reattach the cabinet to the base of the heater.

5. Put the catalytic converter back on and put the grill into position.

6. Reconnect the disconnected levers and knobs.

7. Reattach the fuel compartment.

8. Replace the batteries of the unit.

Tips & Warnings

• Before testing your wick replacement, you will need to let the wick soak up fuel. This usually takes about half an hour.

• Kerosene is a flammable liquid. Do not work on the wick replacement in an area that could have sparks or which is exposed to flame.

Resources

• Basic wick replacement guide