How to Change the Wick on a Dyna-Glo Kerosene Heater

The Dyna-Glo kerosene heater is an economical way to heat your home when the power goes out. The wick soaks up kerosene and evenly heats the room when the wick is lit. Because wicks burn, they will need to be replaced from time to time. Replacement wicks are available at hardware stores and some large department stores with home centers. Changing the wick on a Dyna-Glo heater requires removal of the heater cabinet. The entire process will take 30 minutes to complete.

Things You'll Need

• Phillips-head screwdriver
• Needle nose pliers
• Replacement wick
• Plastic bag or empty coffee container

Instructions

1. Turn the Dyna-Glo kerosene heater off and allow the heater to cool. Open the access door to access the fuel can and pull the fuel can out of the heater. Close the access door after removing the fuel can.

2. Pull the wick adjusting knob off of the front of the heater. Open the front grate and pull out the glass chimney. Close the front grate after removing the chimney. Use a Phillips-head screwdriver to remove the screws securing the kerosene heater cabinet to the base of the heater. There are two screws on each side and tow screws in the back of the heater.

3. Lift the cabinet up off of the heater base. You will have to lift the back of the heater cabinet first and maneuver the front of the cabinet to clear the wick control shaft. There is a wind sleeve on the top of the wick adjuster assembly. Use a Phillips-head screwdriver to remove the single screw and pull the wind sleeve away from the wick adjuster.

4. Remove the two screws that secure the ignition unit to the front of the wick adjuster. The ignition system is the mechanism that ignites the wick. Two wires connect to the ignition from the battery. Move the ignition to the rear of the heater base without removing the wires.

5. Turn the four wing nuts that secure the wick adjuster to the fuel cell counterclockwise. The wing nuts should turn with your finger; however, you can use a pair of needle nose pliers if the nuts are too tight. Set a plastic bag or old plastic coffee container nearby.

6. Lift the wick adjuster up and pull the wick sleeve out from the adjuster. Set the adjuster to the side. Slide the old wick off of the wick sleeve and place the wick in the plastic bag or coffee container.

7. Read the back of the replacement wick package to identify the correct adjustment line on the wick for the Dyna-Glo kerosene heater. The wick has several black lines that serve as a guide for positioning the wick on the sleeve. Slide the new wick over the sleeve until the correct black line is aligned with the top of the sleeve. Press the sides of the wick to allow the sleeve-holding pins to set inside the new wick.

8. Slide the wick adjuster over the wick sleeve. Set the wick adjuster and sleeve back over the fuel cell. Check that the bottom of the wick does not get caught between the fuel cell and the wick adjuster. Secure the wick adjuster to the fuel cell using the wing nuts.

9. Reattach the ignition system to the front of the wick adjuster with the retaining screws. Position the wind sleeve over the top of the wick adjuster and secure the wind sleeve with the single retaining screw.

10. Set the cabinet back over the kerosene heater base. You will have to maneuver the cabinet over the wick adjuster shaft and then set the cabinet over the clips that the retaining screws connect. Secure the cabinet to the base with the retaining screws.

11. Open the front grate and place the glass chimney over the wick opening inside the cabinet. Close and secure the front grate. Push the wick adjuster control knob back over the control shaft. Open the access door and set the fuel can back inside the kerosene heater and close the access door.

Tips & Warnings

• Allow the wick to soak up kerosene for one hour before lighting. The wick needs this time to soak the fuel much like a paper towel will soak up water.

• Allow the kerosene heater to cool before removing the fuel can. Accidental spills may cause fires if the heater has not cooled.

References

• Milesstair.com - Kerosene Heater Wick Replacement
• Redhillgeneralstore.com - Kerosene Heater Info