Biodiesel In Kerosene Heater

This is one reason why there are no carburetors that use diesel fuel.

Biodiesel in kerosene heater.

A friend that works at the local fuel co op told me that diesel may reduce the life of the wick but so far i can t tell any difference. Biodiesel has carbon chains that are about 12 to 18 carbons long. Pretty similar to a kerosene heater. Diesel fuel can also wick but it doesn t evaporate well.

The long answer is we weren t sure exactly how to do it successfully but we knew it could be done. Diesel burns surprisingly well in my 23 000 btu kerosun brand kerosene heater. How to use vegetable oil in a kerosene heater step 1. Yes you can burn diesel in a kerosene heater.

Over the years we ve been asked several times if biodiesel can burn in an air fired kerosene heater. A kerosene heater draws off or wicks up the kerosene. Biodiesel does not travel up a wick very well like kerosene or heating oil will so it can t be used for ordinary wick lamps or stoves. You ll probably get some smoke and odor when you first start the heater and you ll probably get some smoke and fumes when you turn it off.

Arrange all of the items needed to produce biodiesel outside in a place that has access to electricity. This makes it evaporate and burn. Kerosene has carbon chains that are 12 to 15 carbon atoms long. It is the fraction of petroleum that vaporizes between 150 c and 275 c.

Burning diesel in a kerosene heater is about the same as burning kerosene in the same heater. Set up the balance so. However tests have found that it will travel about 7cm up a wick but not more than that and the wick should preferably be thick about 1cm and loosely wound tightly woven commercial wicks won t work well. I could detect no difference in flame height or heat output and no odors.

The quick answer is yes. Here are some of the dangers you should know if you use diesel fuel in your kerosene heater.