11 Ways to Stop a Kerosene Heater from Smelling

When used correctly, a kerosene heater shouldn’t smell or produce smoke.  Here are some of the reasons why your kerosene heater might smell and how to fix them.

1. Only Use 1-K Kerosene

There are two grades of kerosene: 1-K and 2-K.   1-K grade kerosene has a maximum of 0.04% sulfur whereas 2-K kerosene can have up to 0.3% sulfur.

Because it is purer, 1-K kerosene is safer to use indoors and won’t smell like 2-K kerosene.  You should only use 2-K kerosene with a flue.

2. Clean Old Kerosene

Yes, kerosene can go bad – especially if not stored properly.  While old kerosene will usually still burn, it can produce smells or soot.  Ideally, you should only use fresh kerosene in your appliances, especially heaters or cookers.

If you must use old kerosene, then you should filter it first to remove contaminants and ideally also add a fuel stabilizer.

Read: How to clean old kerosene

3. Stabilize Burner

If the burner is not sitting flat inside the kerosene heater, it will produce a lot of smoke and bad smells.  See this video for instructions on how to light a kerosene heater and stabilize the burner.

4. Burn Off Dust Outdoors

Did you forget to clean your kerosene heater before putting it away last season?  When you light the heater, the heat will burn any dust and debris on the heater – causing some nasty smells.

To prevent these smells, take your heater outdoors.  Light it and let it burn for 5-10 minutes before bringing it indoors.  This should burn off all the dust so it won’t smell once inside.

Also read: How to store your kerosene heater

5. Clean the Fuel Tank

Sometimes the fuel tank in kerosene heaters can get gunky (especially if you stored it with fuel inside).   If there is gunk in the tank, then the heater might smell even if you are using new fuel.  You’ll need to clean the fuel tank.

To do this, you’ll need to siphon out all kerosene from the tank.  Then use new 1-K kerosene to clean the inside of the tank.  Siphon out the kerosene you used for cleaning and dispose of it. You do NOT want to reuse this kerosene!

6. Adjust the Wick Level

If your wick is turned too low, the kerosene won’t be able to burn completely and there will be smells.  The ideal wick height for most kerosene heaters is ½ inch above the top of the burner, but check your heater’s manual for the best height.

7. Trim, Clean or Replace Wick

Over time, carbon deposits will form on your heater’s wick.  Trimming the wick might be enough to remove deposits so it burns better.  If the wick is very dirty, you may need to clean it or completely replace it.

Read: How to replace a kerosene heater wick

8.  Shut Down Outside

It is normal for kerosene heaters to produce some smell when you shut them off. You can bring your portable kerosene heater outdoors for shutdown to prevent this.  However, it generally isn’t wise to move a kerosene heater while it is turned on. Do so with caution!

9.  Get a Better Quality Wick

Did you try to save money by purchasing a cheap wick?  Cheap wicks are often too thin.  Vaporized hydrocarbons can pass right through gaps in the wick, resulting in bad smells.  Try buying a better wick and see if the heater stops smelling.

10. Lower Wick After Dry Burning

After dry burning a fiberglass wick to clean it, you must put it in the “down” position.  Otherwise, fuel will go up the wick and into the catalytic converter.  This will cause a lot of smelly smoke when you light the heater.

11. Get a Better Kerosene Heater

Kerosene heaters are usually made to last a long time. I know people who have antique heaters which still work perfectly.

However, the parts can rust, bend, or get dented over time. This might make it difficult to stabilize the burner and get a good burn height.

If nothing seems to work, consider getting a new kerosene heater.

See our picks for the kerosene heater reviews. Or consider an emergency propane heater.

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  1. This is MattieAdams where can you find K1 or K2 kerosene I get my kerosene at the service station. I thought kerosene was kerosene. And to get the right wicks i have know idea home depot or Lowe’s maybe . And when should I clean it. This is my second year using my heater and didn’t know to clean or to get rid of old kerosene .

    Reply
  2. After reading this I am guessing The wick could be the issue, how many times can you start and stop a Kersene heated before burning it totally empty and cleaning or replacing the wick ? Also So using Kerosene with a 15ppm or lower is fine ?

    Reply
    • I honestly have no clue about how many times you could start/stop the heater before cleaning the wick. It would largely depend on the heater and how efficiently it was being run (a lot of people use incorrect wick height and would need to clean it more frequently). You’ll need to use only kerosene which specifically states it is K-1. Also read this for more on the PPM and purity: https://www.primalsurvivor.net/diesel-kerosene-heater/

      Reply
  3. Thanks for the Information; but:
    How long will it take for a New KEROSENE Heater to burn in with No Smells of Kerosene? Got this new Dyna-Glo tall 23,800 but unit and the outer top cover seems so flimsy; might have to do something to improve its look!

    Reply
    • Hmmm.. the new one shouldn’t smell, at least not for very long — I have heard people complain that the coatings on new products take a while to air off. I’d check your wick levels though and see if that is the issue.

      Reply

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