Kerosene heaters safe to use inside home?

I've used a Kerosene heater the last two years with absolutely no problems, there is an odour for a few minutes after lighting it and after extinguishing it, and I do both while inside. I don't crack a window, my CO monitor has never gone off. I've burned (accidentally) dyed kerosene and didn't die, it just soots up the wick faster. Heck, I've even burned diesel in it, at 100 % concentration. Didn't die from that either, it just gunked up the wick badly, keep it to 25% diesel and it'll run fine.
(To those who doubt this, MSDS' show Kerosene and Diesel are the same thing.)
I also fill them inside, and have occasionally filled them while they are on. Yes, I know that practice can end badly but it all comes down being careful.
My heater can take my livingroom from upper 40s to oppressively hot in 15 minutes, keep my entire house comfortable when I don't "zone heat".

I advise keeping a fire extinguisher nearby at all times, (I've got two) the one local fire I've heard about happened when someone did what I've done and refilled their heater while it was on/hot. Her little hovel didn't take long to burn to the ground.

Safety is a spotty thing when you refer to something holding a bunch of highly flammable fluids.

In an emergency it can be used, but things that use fire have three basic needs to work

Heat, Fuel, and Oxygen.

With that in mind after starting it the fuel starts to burn, this leaves Oxygen being consumed.

Also you need to consider what exhaust the kerosene is putting out.

The main issue is the carbon monoxide. I suggest you install a CO detector too before using if you don't already have one.

So while it is likely not going to kill you if you use it for a short time, it is definitely not all too safe for indoor use.

If it had an air intake you want to connect that to outside your house and make sure it won't be obstructed by snow. If you have an exhaust output you want to connect that outside the house to somewhere that is not near the intake source. If you have a picture of the heater more specific info can be given.

There are also things called fume hoods that could be useful not only for this but also other DIY projects.

It is not unsafe, but safe may not be the right word. If installed correctly it would not be unsafe to use correctly.

However anytime there is fuel within your living space it could be a fire risk.

It may also be against your local building codes. Check them out before you install anything. It may also invalidate your home insurance.



"Fire Departments: It may be useful to contact your local fire department at their nonemergency telephone number to find out what their response will be to a CO alarm in a residence. Your local fire department may also offer free home fire safety inspections that would include checks of potentially CO-generating equipment." - from http://www.carbonmonoxidekills.com/carbon-monoxide-advice/

This is no little thing, it is like asking how your gun barrel should be cleaned. The wrong advice could kill you.\


People rarely ask how to correct internal bleeding and surgery methods but they will ask for advice about something that kills just as many people.

You get medical advice from a doctor or other health practitioner.

You should be getting advice on heating systems from a HVAC certified person or applicable engineer.

caveat emptor.

I've used kerosene heaters for years, both the type you have and the smaller reflector type. It isn't necessary to open a window since they don't give off enough toxic gases to kill a mouse. They can smell bad if you burn it with a bad wick or light/extinguish it indoors, but if you can stand the smell and don't mind some soot, even then they aren't dangerous. All of the modern ones have a safety shutoff if they tilt even a little bit. The only things you must be careful about - keeping it a safe distance from anything flammable and NOT filling it while it is still hot or burning (although I've even done the latter a few times, VERY carefully and always outside). Always keep an extra wick (or 2 or 3) handy and keep your burner clean. You'll be glad you did.

BTW - cooking on them is a bad idea. Anything boils over or spills and you can have a fire very quickly. That wire cage around it is to keep you (and your kids/pets/spouse/whomever) from touching the burner and burning yourself, NOT to cook on.

As for the white verses the pink kero, the pink is a dye added to differentiate between taxed and non-taxed fuels. They are basically the same thing. I've used both and never seen any difference. There are however two GRADES of kerosene, K-1 and K-2. The difference is the sulfur content. NEVER burn K-2 in your kerosene heater.