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AR15.COM
12/10/2009 6:41:09 PM EDT
Is red kerosene ok in my heaters?   I've been usin 1k clear  $38.00  for 5 gallons    Red is $18.75   per 5 gallons?
12/10/2009 6:52:53 PM EDT
[#1]



Quoted:


Is red kerosene ok in my heaters?   I've been usin 1k clear  $38.00  for 5 gallons    Red is $18.75   per 5 gallons?
The red is dyed to show that no 'Road Use Tax' has been paid on it.  It's for heaters and farm/Ag use.  You can burn it in a Cummins TurboDiesel just fine if you need to, throw a quart or 2 of 10/30 in the tank with it, just don't get caught by DOT.  It's about a $10K fine in some areas, a couple hundred in other areas.



Many Diesel/fuel stations have a pump for 'Off Road Use Only' Kero, no taxes paid, about $1.50-$2.50/gallon.





 
12/10/2009 6:56:47 PM EDT
[#2]
Quoted:
Is red kerosene ok in my heaters?   I've been usin 1k clear  $38.00  for 5 gallons    Red is $18.75   per 5 gallons?


It will work, but suposedly it will clog up wicks quicker and shorten their useful lives.  You'd be far better off if you can find clear pump kerosene at a gas station that sells it on a "short tethered" pump.

12/10/2009 7:14:49 PM EDT
[#3]
This guy knows all about kerosene heaters / wicks ... a lot more info on his site:  http://www.milesstair.com/Kero_Heater_wicks.html

ETA: I clipped this off of his site:
   Remember that the capillary action of wicks is virtually destroyed by water...cotton in particular will absorb water, then the lighter kerosene is denied a capillary "path" to the top of the wick. Performance (clean, odor free heat output) is seriously degraded by even a little water in the kerosene. To circumvent that problem, add a half eyedropper full of 91% to 95% alcohol to the tank of fuel before the wick is "burned dry." The alcohol will absorb the water and burn it off with the kerosene. The alcohol burns at a higher temperature than kerosene, so red dye kerosene will burn cleaner with alcohol or "Wick Cleaner." If a fiberglass wick is saturated with water, it is best to remove the wick and wash it with alcohol (and  air dry) before reinstallation in the appliance.  The same alcohol trick can be used to clean the wick if the wick becomes   saturated with diesel or heating oil by mistake [No guarantees, though. The wick may well have to be replaced.]. If you are using red dye kerosene, using an eyedropper of alcohol every tank full will keep the wick from needing to be burned dry as often.  Pure alcohol is not that hard to find...it's in almost every hardware store, sold as Shellac Thinner.  It's wood alcohol, so don't let anyone drink it or they will go blind!
12/10/2009 9:00:54 PM EDT
[#4]
I hate red kerosene. I never used to have problems getting head aches when working in the shop with kerosene heaters running. When my buddy started using red kerosene, I could not stand being in the shop.  I just replaced the wicks in three round heaters and they will never see a drop of that shit again. I am still having a hard time getting used to the smell again, but its 10 times better with regular clear K-1.

The wick packaging even states in really big writing not to use red kerosene if you need any more confirmation.
12/10/2009 9:05:12 PM EDT
[#5]
Quoted:
I hate red kerosene. I never used to have problems getting head aches when working in the shop with kerosene heaters running. When my buddy started using red kerosene, I could not stand being in the shop.  I just replaced the wicks in three round heaters and they will never see a drop of that shit again. I am still having a hard time getting used to the smell again, but its 10 times better with regular clear K-1.

The wick packaging even states in really big writing not to use red kerosene if you need any more confirmation.


^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^
BINGO!!!

Ops
12/11/2009 9:14:15 AM EDT
[#6]
Red  kerosene is all we get delivered here and it has worked fine for the last 9 years in my Toyotomi vented heater.

Red
12/11/2009 9:58:29 AM EDT
[#7]
I've been using Red for about a year now in a heater and lamps. I hate it. If I hadn't bought so much of it I would have stopped using it a long time ago but I couldn't find any clear that was cheap. My experience is this; it's clogged my heater to the point it won't light with the igniter and a butane lighter takes a little time. When it lights it will burn for a minute and then go out. After about ten minutes of fighting with it I give up and turn the furnace up. It needs cleaning and better fuel. My lamps are sooted and need cleaning about every couple weeks and the wicks are going faster than they should. I'm ordering new ones this week. DON'T use the red crap if you can help it.
12/11/2009 12:40:31 PM EDT
[#8]
Some guy hooked me up with jet fuel for 2 bucks a gallon. It doesn't smell at all.
12/11/2009 1:24:00 PM EDT
[#9]
Never seen the stuff. Every pump i've bought it from was clear, nontaxed. short hose.
12/11/2009 1:51:56 PM EDT
[#10]
I never had a problem with my heater until my gas station changed to the red version.  Had to replace 2 wicks in one year and noticed I was not getting as much heat out of it.  

Replaced the wick again and flushed out the tank. And found a place that had clear.  I will never go back.  No problems since switching back.
12/11/2009 1:53:54 PM EDT
[#11]





Quoted:



I've been using Red for about a year now in a heater and lamps. I hate it. If I hadn't bought so much of it I would have stopped using it a long time ago but I couldn't find any clear that was cheap. My experience is this; it's clogged my heater to the point it won't light with the igniter and a butane lighter takes a little time. When it lights it will burn for a minute and then go out. After about ten minutes of fighting with it I give up and turn the furnace up. It needs cleaning and better fuel. My lamps are sooted and need cleaning about every couple weeks and the wicks are going faster than they should. I'm ordering new ones this week. DON'T use the red crap if you can help it.
Whats the difference in price between Red and Clear for you?





 
12/11/2009 4:07:19 PM EDT
[#12]
Quoted:
Red  kerosene is all we get delivered here and it has worked fine for the last 9 years in my Toyotomi vented heater.

Red


My sister has the same brand of heater and it says specifically that clear and red are okay. I am still planning on switching her to clear.