How to clean a Kerosene Heater 

Craig, over five years later and your video is still helping people. I just got one of these and this really helps me understand how to take care of it. Thank you.

Thanks Craig. My problems was low burning. Yours was the only low burning video I could find. Very helpful!

My son just got me one of these for Christmas. So far, I love it! No smell or smoke at all!

We have this exact heater and use it in the living room all winter. It’s due for a cleaning.... thank you for the tips!

You see them in yardsales all the time. My brother advised me to light it, extinguish it and refill it out doors.

I have a 12x16 sun room that I like to use for an "office" (I'm retired though, so no work going on!) This is the first winter I've done this. ru-vid.comUgkxl2o1MQU4aMgmFk_cMqer4nH2ptpDEM6h I have 2 x 1500 watt electric heaters that are on schedules in Home Assistant. After less than one month of that, I decided a new solution was needed (electric bill went up quite a bit more than expected). I have a 23,000 btu kerosene heater, so I tried that. It definitely works, too well! It heats the space up quickly, but you really can't turn these types of heater down and have then burn efficiently, so I was always lighting it and putting it out. I decided to try this model, and it is perfect for this application. In the morning at 0600 I turn both electric heaters on and light this heater. Within 30 minutes, it's up to 60 degrees (from 35 to 40F), and within an hour it's at 68F. At that point the electric heaters shut off and pretty much stay off the rest of the day. Fuel consumption is also greatly reduced (as would be expected, given that it's half the size/btu output). I can get 2 x 4 hour burns out of a full tank. I also like having these around as emergency backup heat, this is my third kerosene heater. I wish kerosene was cheaper, but not much you can do about that. I have read that you can use #1 diesel with a bit of alcohol added; not sure if I want to go through all that, although diesel is about 2 bucks a gallon cheaper. More research needed.

Thanks for the quick, concise informative video. I bought one if these last night. Southern ontario ice storms are no joke!

I have the same heater. You showed everything I need to know. Two Thumbs up!

Good job. Didn't know you could clean one. Replacing the wick but will "clean" it from here on out with the new one.

❄️ Thank you for the tips in your video. Much appreciated. 🔥

I have a propane heater for ice-fishing, but this would be terrific in my shed or boathouse. It looks like NEW! Good show, Craig!

Great explanation. Just bought one.

Very helpful - Thanks!

Awesome video thanks for al the great tips

thank you so much..ive had mine for 15 years.....only used it once winter when our power went out ....since then its been sitting around.....wanting to revive it and now i know how to. Thank you so much!

Good info never thought to do this. When tout to my shop and took a look at mine well it burns better now thanks

thank you nice and simple!

Great video..I'm going to buy one of these soon for next winter.

I have a new heater that probably needs a wick clean. The cleaning instructions are not very clear. I did not know how to get to the wick but your video answered that question. Thanks. I called the stove company's customer service to ask the question. Left a message several hours ago, still no call. Again thank you for making it so clear.

Thank you so much! I've been hesitating to clean it or change the wick because I thought that I was going to have to take that whole stupid cage apart. I didn't realize it was only two screws!

We’ve used these for a while (years) & no one explained to use that spring handle to ensure the fuel went around the wick for an even & brighter burn - never mind not knowing they need at the very least seasonal cleanup - I especially like that you mentioned carbon monoxide too - less to worry about 😢 - thank you 🙏🏽

Thank you.. Needed this.

I have a 9000 BTU camping kerosene heater and I have used it twice. It was supposed to have been brand new but the two times that I used it, it had soot and carbon build up on the burner and chimney. I just performed a dry burn yesterday and before lighting it up again I'm going to use my brush to clean the wick. If this cleaning doesn't work my next step will be to replace the wick. The current wick doesn't look to be dirty at all but it does raise up to about half inch when the knob is turned fully to the right. Thanks for your video and info.

Good info. Thank you.

Good video and helpful appreciate it.

Just for anyone experiencing an uneven/smoking flame thats had one of these for a while, check for soot deposits on the underside of the upper removable burner tray. Had to goof with mine for a little bit before I realized that was the culprit!

They're good to have around for emergencies. Looks like it was burning really well.

VERY HELPFUL. I DID SAME WITH MY KEROSENE HEATER😀😀

Thanks bud . Gonna go outside and try this. I just filled mine with K1 and it only ignites a small flickering blue flame. I did notice the flame has been getting smaller and less bright. On going to have my shop vac near in case this causes soot to fall into the tank? Like I said, I just filled with fuel. I’m going to use an old toothbrush to scrub the wick top. Sound okay? Well here I go. Hope I’m all good.

The best way to turn it on out side and once the flame stabilizes bring it in. Keep it away from high wind!

Thanks for the video. I got mine last year and it worked great. I fired it up today and it smoked up my workshop. Now I know what I need to do. ALSO, thanks for explaining what that thing on top of the burner is for, to clean the burner by moving it back and forth. Right? Thanks again

You can also place a pot of cold water on top of heater to add moisture to the air. The pot will heat up.

I never had one but have been around them before I had one of the old antique ones and gave it away

Love the Model: CTN-110 KeroHeat Radiant Kerosene Heater

Thank you. I purchased a DynaGlo last week (23,000 BTU) at Lowes. Been using a week, guess I need to clean it....We are at the end of the first 10 gal of fuel....

Nice vid. My brother has a heater just like that. I'll tell him about your video. He may need to do the same thing to his.

Can you leave canister on a dry burn outside?

Nice! I just got one last week but it seems to struggle with heating up even a single car garage, what gives? I hear stories of people saying they have to turn the things down that it gets that hot in the garage on 30-40F days. The PO I bought mine from says he replaced the wick and after looking at it, it is totally white still. Is there a break-in period for new hardware or are people over exaggerating the performance of these types of heaters (the 18,000-23,000BTU range heaters)?

Some people are really a$$holes. How can you click thumbs down button on a great video like this. You can't fix stupid. Thanks for a great video pal. 🙏👍

I've got one too.

When the flame flickers you need to lower it all the way down.

NICE ONE ☝🏾...only suggestion is you may want to redo some of the camera work as in the beginning its all over the place..but you were plain spoken & to the point w/o a dragged pre or sequel..so thanks.

have you ever tried diesel?

I once put my co detector on a shelf right behind my heater and did a dry burn and still no beeps. Kerosene is darn safe. Oh no now the natural gas guys are coming for me!!!!

But other than that thanks,good video . :)

Do you know what the useful life of the wick is? Thanks for the video!

How do I shut off A Kero Heat Heaters that does not shut off ? I tried shutting it off to the Shut off Manual and it is still running ? I tried the Adjusting Range But it is still going .?

Podría hacer un video apagándose porfavor

Mines is starting to realise smoke a lot. Does that mean i need to change the wick ?

I bought a brand new red stone kerosene heater. It put out great heat for one night. I cleaned the wick and put it back together. It burns great for 30 seconds and then barely burns..Any suggestions

I've been using a kero heater mostly during very cold winter days and nights.. ( I have no fear of leaving it run at night.. ) use a smoke detector in the same room and a CO2 detector.. I have found several heaters at thrift stores.. a company called Miles Stairs Wick Shop.. online.. has wicks for many oil lanterns and kero heaters.. all makes.. I am going to start using diesel fuel.. with the additive for trucks.. or a pint of isopropyl alcohol per 5 gallons .. keeps the wick in good shape.. I wouldn't worry about cleaning the wick.. the one in this video isn't dirty at all.. it will get black over time. .. Don't even worry about it.. officially Miles has told me to let your fuel run out and then refuel.. this keep the wick in better condition over time.. but you have to wait an hour after putting new fuel in the tank so the wick gets wet before lighting.. I have done this and works great.. you have to have most of the glass showing red hot at least half for better fuel economy.. the manufacturers show all red... keeps their liabilities covered... but I have had mine less than 25% red for best fuel economy and have had no ill effects no smoke alarm.. or CO2 warning.. you will get alarm going off just after lighting the stove tho.. don't get panicked at that though. It will stop smoking in just a minute after getting the flame level just right.. takes practice. Additives (pine odor) are made to keep the smell down or use the diesel fuel.. it has very little smell..

That’s how you clean your heater wick , do you ever dry burn the wick?

How high does the flame burn when on high setting Craig ?? Do you add 99.9% isopropyl alcohol that is anhydrous, hygroscopic, and fully miscible with to the K-1 fuel Sir ??? Just using an fluid ounce added K-1 supposedly keeps things just perfect. Thank you for the education on this subject and look forward to see more great videos of knowledge Craig. vf P.S. have yourself a Happy Thanksgiving and peace to you Sir too. 😀😀😀😀😀😀😀😀😀😀😀

Help!!! I have one of these but it got left out in the rain…..is it salvageable or done for?? Thanks anyone for any help!! 😊

Oh boy?

Im getting a LOT of black smoke coming off the heater.... So I started the dry burn process and its literally turned everything black.... I know maybe be change the wick, but this is a lot of black smoke.....

can you light it if battery goes dead

The video is very good. The heaters produce a lot of heat. I have had them. Downside, u will smell like kerosene. Your clothing. your bedding, your home. If you don't mind smelling like a fuel truck, go 4 it.

plain and simple CRAIG without taking the heater apart!!! DRY BURN the heater,,, after each tank full of DIESEL FUEL... may stink some but it burns any left over tar from the wick and will burn like new again., run the tank DRY FOLKS!!! this will KLEAN the wick, i burn alot of home heating oil in kerosene heater and do a dry burn each time......

If you are going to post something, perhaps next time you can have someone else hold the camera and beforehand, explain to them what they need to be filming. Best way is to do a dry-run before starting the camera. Just a thought.

Great for a garage or unheated basement; would not recommend for a sitting room or bedroom except in emergency. I have had my Corona 23-DK since the mid-80s; it's still on the original wick. As long as you keep the wicks clean and use clear k-1 kerosene, they will last for 50+ years.

So basically your saying if your heater wick needs cleaned just finger it and that's it😒 now Seriously how do I get mine to quit smoking it smokes no matter what height

where is your carbon monoxide detector at?? Thanks.

U couldnt see what you were doing very good do to were you where putting camera

No worries about lighting heater in garage with all those gas cans and gas powered tools (mowers etc. ) ? :O I am afraid for you .

Your camer angel is way off. Can't see crap.

That was helpful.....unlike a few that like to hear their own voice.....you know ....Democrats