How do I know if my kerosene heater needs a new wick?

Here are the signs that you may need to replace the wick in your kerosene heater.

1. The flame is ragged, uneven, irregular, or won’t reach ½ inch above the burn plate.
2. Lighting the wick is difficult – see how to light a kerosene heater.
3. The wick lights but it takes a very long time for it to get to normal burn position.

Why is my kerosene heater not igniting?

If your kerosene heater won’t light:



Make sure your heater is filled with quality K-2 grade kerosene, and that the wick has been soaked for at least an hour before attempting to light it. When you push the “ignite” button, the igniter should move into position above the wick surface and glow a bright orange.

Why do I smell kerosene from my kerosene heater?

Fuels with high sulphur content, old fuel, and low grade kerosene do not completely burn. These unburnt hydrocarbons collect on the wick and harden, decreasing efficiency and causing bad odor. Check the quality of your fuel or replace it. Burnt fuel that has dripped onto the heater can cause a strong kerosene smell.

How long will 5 gallons of kerosene last in a kerosene heater?

about 25 hours

It will go through a full tank of kerosene in about 10 hours. So, a 5 gallon kerosene can will only last you about 25 hours.

How often should you dry burn a kerosene heater?

once a week

For your heater to burn to its maximum efficiency, you should regularly dry burn the wick as it accumulates deposits. Many people dry burn the wick as much as once a week. The first dry burn should take place within a week of using the heater or after burning 3.5 tanks of kerosene.

Why does my heater keep flickering?

Overloaded Circuit



A constant light flickering means that the circuit is approaching an overload and the breaker may trip from the excessive amount of electricity needed. Ideally, the heater should have a dedicated circuit and breaker to prevent any light flickering at all.

Can I refill kerosene heater while running?

Different grades of kerosene can look the same so it important that the dealer certify that the product sold is 1-K grade kerosene. Never refuel the heater inside the home. Fill the tank outdoors, away from combustible materials, and only after the heater has been turned off and allowed to cool.

Can you overfill a kerosene heater?

TORPEDO HEATER TROUBLESHOOTING – WILL NOT LIGHT …

When should I replace my kerosene wick?

How often should I change my kerosene heater wick? The American Lung Association, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, and the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission state, you should check and replace wicks yearly.

When should I replace my wick?

Each wick is almost four (4) inches in length, so after 2-3 trimmings you’ll need to replace the wick. The wick should be changed if the lighter does not light properly or if the ignition process has to be repeated multiple times.

How many hours will a kerosene wick last?

After a good dry burn the heater will burn at maximum efficiency for a hundred hours or more until the wick again needs to be burned dry, depending upon the fuel used (red dye kerosene requires fouls the wick much more quickly than 1-K clear).

How often should a wick be changed?

We recommend changing your wick every 30-90 days, but your water quality will ultimately dictate your wick’s replacement frequency. Areas with very hard or very soft water will typically require more frequent wick changes, since your wick is working harder to filter your water.

Why is my wick flickering?

Candles made with large wicks burn too quickly through the wax and cause the flame to flicker. While candles made using wicks that are too small create an uneven wax pool and lead to tunnelling. Your wick may also have “mushroomed”, which is a term used for a carbon build-up on a burned candle.

How do you revive a wick?

Use a long wand candle lighter or an extra long match and hold the flame directly on top of the wick for up to 30 seconds to melt some of the surrounding wax. Try holding the candle upside down as you light it. But don’t do this for more than 10-15 seconds because you don’t want to have wax dripping on your hand.