Kerosene Heater Troubleshooting

Portable kerosene heaters have been providing homeowners with temporary heat for decades. When the power goes out because of a storm, having a portable kerosene heater makes sure your family stays warm. Although they are great as a backup heat source, they can be very dangerous if homeowners are not careful.

The CPSC strongly encourages the safe use of kerosene heaters by keeping them maintained. Part of maintaining a kerosene heater is knowing how to troubleshoot problems that may occur.

Does Not Burn Well

If your kerosene heater does not burn well or provide the heat it should, there are a few causes. First check for tar on the wick. If there is excessive tar buildup, the wick should be replaced. Wait for two hours after replacing the wick to allow it to soak in the kerosene before lighting.

There could be water mixed in the kerosene, especially if your refill can is out in the elements. If so, you will have to empty the kerosene out of the heater, then replenish your kerosene supply and replace the wick before adding kerosene to the heater.

Strong Odor

A well-maintained kerosene heater will have a slight odor to it. If there is an excessive smell of kerosene, check to make sure that none was spilled. If you see spilled kerosene, wipe it off immediately. Upon cleaning a spill, if it reappears you may have a leaking fuel tank. You can purchase a replacement tank at any well-stocked hardware store.

Burns Too Much Fuel

When a kerosene heater burns excessive fuel, there are two things to consider. Your wick probably needs to be adjusted. After it has burned for about 10 minutes, adjust the wick down until you have an even blue flame.

Another cause of excessive burning is that the flame is uneven because the burner was not jogged after igniting it. Just simply jog the burner until it falls into place.

Soot and Smoke

Soot and smoke indicate that your burner is not set properly. Jog the burner unit until it seats itself properly. There also could be a carbon buildup on the radiator due to the wick being too high. If this is the case, clean the radiator and make sure the wick is correctly adjusted after igniting.

Ignition Coil Doesn't Work

The ignition coil battery may need to be changed. Visually inspect the coil to see if it is deformed or burned. If it is, you will have to replace it. Check to make sure the wires are connected as well and reconnect any that have come loose.

Wick Will Not Adjust

If you cannot adjust the wick up and down, it is because there is tar buildup on it. The only thing to do in this case is to replace the wick. Having water in the kerosene will cause this to happen as well. Upon visually inspecting the wick and seeing no tar buildup, you will have to replace the kerosene and the wick.

References

• CPSC