When you’re in the middle of a winter storm and severe weather has cut your power you will need an off-grid solution for keeping your home warm, this is when having a kerosene heater stops being a good idea and instead becomes the best idea you’ve ever had!
Kerosene heaters were once associated with hassle, oily smoke, and the pervading odor of petroleum—but times have changed. New advances in technology and construction have made the best kerosene heaters safe for indoor use.
In this article, we’ll look at the upsides as well as the issues associated with kerosene heaters, and compare some top models currently on the market.
Best Kerosene Heaters
Dyna-Glo RMC-95C6B
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Sengoku KeroHeat Portable Kerosene Space Heater
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Sengoku Heat Mate #HMHC2230
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Dyna-Glo WK24BK
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Kero World KW-24G
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Kerosene Heaters 101
Kerosene heaters are unvented, portable space heaters designed to use kerosene instead of electricity, propane or other petroleum-based fuel. Though it is extracted from oil products, liquid kerosene is much less flammable and volatile than gasoline.
Advantages of Kerosene Heat
New technology, design features and advances in manufacturing have made these units safer and more convenient in recent years. As long as you know what to look for, there are good reasons to consider buying a kerosene heater:
- Emergencies – It doesn’t take long to freeze if the power goes out and you only have electrical heat available. Fully portable kerosene heaters don’t require electricity, so they are great for backup heat in emergencies.
- Supplemental heat – Kerosene heaters can be used indoors to offset central heating costs and save money. With appropriate ventilation, they are economical for heating a single room or supplementing another heat source.
- Portability – Kerosene heaters are easy to move and can deliver heat anywhere it’s needed. You don’t need to be near an electrical outlet, which makes them excellent heating solutions for everything from a campsite to a construction site.
- Heating Power – A kerosene heater can put out a lot of heat. Since a flame doesn’t need to warm up, these units start up quickly, too. An industrial-sized kerosene heater can warm up an entire warehouse floor and keep it cozy.
Kerosene Heater Safety Precautions
It’s important to practice safety at all times with a kerosene heater. All the safety features and tech advances yet invented haven’t removed the potential danger of an open flame in proximity to explosive fuel.
The National Agriculture Safety Database (NASD) lists proper safety precautions when operating a kerosene heater. Here are important guidelines:
- Never use gasoline or other fuel products in a kerosene heater.
- Don’t refuel inside—take the heater’s tank outdoors for refilling.
- Only fill the heater after it has been shut down and allowed to cool.
- Don’t fill the tank above the “full” indicator: the fuel needs room to expand.
- Don’t try to move the heater during a flare-up or other uncontrolled flame situation. Attempt to shut it off and, if unsuccessful, leave the area and call the Fire Department.
- Install a smoke detector for each sleeping area and floor in the house.
- Properly ventilate! Open a door or crack open an outside window an inch so that fresh air can dilute any air pollutants.
Determining the Size of Kerosene Heater you Need
Kerosene heaters are rated by their British Thermal Unit (BTU) output. To determine how many BTUs you need, perform a simple calculation:
1) Multiply the square footage by the height of the area to be heated.
2) Multiply this figure by your insulation factor: (2) for good insulation, (3) for average, and (4) for poor.
The resulting figure is the approximate BTU rating you need.
Use Clean Kerosene
There are two grades of kerosene, K-1 and K-2. The grade to buy for an indoor kerosene heater is the more refined K-1 fuel, because its sulfur content will be below .05%–this allows for unvented operation. The lower K-2 grade is for use with vented heat.
K-1 kerosene comes in two varieties: a clear and a red-dyed liquid. Theoretically these are the same, since the dye was only added to designate non-taxable (fuel) kerosene. Red-dyed fuel is a little cheaper due to being untaxed, and it is supposed to meet K-1 standards.
In reality, the red dye does present some issues. It stains the wick, making it a bit more difficult to see its condition. It also causes more clogging and increases the frequency of needed maintenance.
PRO TIP: When buying, make sure the red-dyed kerosene is clear, like a blush wine, and not cloudy with pollutants.
Important Features of Modern Kerosene Heaters
The new generation of kerosene heaters contains updated safety and convenience features which make it a better indoor heat source than previous versions.
Battery-powered ignition, automatic shut-off, fuel gauges, lift-out fuel tanks, carrying handles, wrap-around protective metal grills—these and more new features make the modern kerosene heater a good alternative to other space heaters.
Kerosene Heater Reviews
Dyna-Glo RMC-95C6B Indoor Kerosene Convection Heater, 23000 BTU
It’s easy to operate, and comes with automatic ignition and both a manual and safety shut-off. The unit has a wide base to prevent tipping … but its automatic shutdown is a nice added safety feature, just in case.
The quick-start ignition is convenient and reliable. There is no odor while the heater is running and the wick is adjusted correctly.
There is some odor as it cools, which is normal with all kerosene units. PRO TIP: Let it cool outside to eliminate the smell.
You can fill the 1.9 gallon tank without requiring contortions. There are complaints with flimsy construction in the wick mechanism, but most users don’t find it problematic.
This is a popular model from Dyna-Glo that has all the basics … and a few nice extras, too. The design is efficient and built for safety and convenient, low-odor use.
The unit comes with a 1-year limited warranty. Overall, this is a good pick if you’re looking for a safe portable kerosene heater that comes with the latest upgrades for indoor performance.
Pros
• Automatic quick-start ignition
• Manual shut-off
• Automatic safety tip-over shutoff
• Wraparound protective steel cage
• 1-year Limited Warranty
Cons
• Flimsy wick construction
• Requires clear K-1 kerosene for best operation
Sengoku KeroHeat Economic Portable Kerosene Space Heater
The Sengoku KeroHeat Economic Portable Kerosene Space Heater is a versatile heating solution that offers a balance of portability and power.
With a 10,000 BTU output, it’s capable of warming up to 380 square feet, making it suitable for a variety of settings, from home use to outdoor adventures.
The removable fuel tank adds convenience for refueling, and the safety shut-off feature provides peace of mind.
Its radiant chimney design ensures a clean burn, which is essential for indoor air quality.
However, some users might find the need to handle kerosene a bit cumbersome compared to electric heaters, and the unit requires adequate ventilation when used indoors to prevent fume buildup.
Pros:
- Portable with a powerful 10,000 BTU heating capacity
- Removable fuel tank for easy refueling
- Automatic safety shut-off feature for added safety
- Clean burn thanks to the radiant chimney design
Cons:
- Handling kerosene may be inconvenient for some
- Requires proper ventilation when used indoors
For those seeking a reliable and portable kerosene heater, the Sengoku KeroHeat is a solid choice. Its design and safety features make it a practical option for both indoor and outdoor use.
Sengoku Heat Mate, 23,000 BTU
This Sengoku heater has the common cylindrical fireplug profile with two exit port levels around the top section, along with a second protective cage over the top.
This unit heats up to about 900 square feet, delivering slightly less heating performance than other 23K BTU kerosene units.
There aren’t many frills here, but this Sengoku does offer a push-start ignition and carries an automatic shut-off in case of tipping.
The 1.9 gallon tank is a bit awkward to fill and delivers about 10 hours of heat. It’s fully portable, though it isn’t a lightweight model.
Sengoku is a well-established company, and this stripped-down model benefits from their design experience.
This is a good heater if you want a Japanese design and a basic portable indoor heater with few surprises.
Pros
• Push-start ignition
• Automatic safety tip-over shutoff
• Wraparound protective steel cage
Cons
• Burns fuel rather quickly
• Medium heat output
Dyna-Glo WK24BK, 23,800 BTU
The heater has automatic ignition and a one-touch shutoff switch for convenient operation. The fuel tank has an easy-to-read gauge and lifts out to be filled without having to move the entire heater. It has an automatic tip-over shutoff too, though the squat profile and wide base minimize that risk. Its 1.9-gallon tank provides from 8-12 hours of heat.
As an indoor heater, it isn’t made for rugged use. There are complaints about the lightweight construction of the ignition and the wick mechanisms. Also, though most users don’t report an issue with odor, some report a lingering smell.
Overall the Dyna-Glo WK24BK is a nice heater with a lot of safety and convenience features. It benefits from its maker’s expertise and will serve well for most indoor uses.
Pros
• Automatic ignition
• Manual shut-off
• Lift-out fuel tank with gauge
• Automatic safety tip-over shutoff
• Wraparound protective steel cage
Cons
• Flimsy wick construction
• Requires clear K-1 kerosene for best operation
Kero World KW-24G, 23,000-BTU
It’s simple to light and operate, and comes in a broad cylinder shape to prevent tipping. It uses C batteries for “matchless ignition” … the manufacturer even includes your first set.
The built-in 1.9-gallon tank is easy to fill, though you’ll need to move the whole unit outside to do it.
One tank offers up to 12 hours of heat, depending upon temperature conditions.
The heaters will operate on red-dyed kerosene, and users report only minor staining and a slight increase in the need for wick cleaning.
One possible issue is difficulty in changing the wick if you’re not mechanically inclined. Instructions are provided, but some find it a challenge.
Overall, this KeroWorld model is a nice portable heater without too many frills.
It’s easy to setup and operate, and comes with a nice 2-year warranty to get you through at least two seasons.
Pros
• Matchless ignition
• Manual shut-off
• Lift-out fuel tank with gauge
• Automatic safety tip-over shutoff
• Wraparound protective steel cage
Cons
• Changing the wick can be tricky
Conclusion
Many think of kerosene heaters as smoky relics from campgrounds and remote job sites, but the modern unit has been greatly improved. Each of the heaters listed here will do the job and can be used safely indoors.
Our recommendation is the Dyna-Glo RMC-95C6B for its overall performance and extra safety features.
It pumps out the full 23K BTU of heating power with only a minimal odor when lit and shut down. It is portable and priced to market, and offers both a manual shutoff switch and automatic shutdown in case of tipping. The wick assembly is a bit flimsy, but it comes with a 1-year limited warranty to help mitigate your risk.
The Dyna-Glo RMC-95C6B puts out more heat than either the Dura Heat or Japanese Sengoku models, and it has more safety features than the KeroWorld at an affordable price. It is a good choice if you’re looking for the advantages of a kerosene heater with all the safety features you need.