F.A.Q. Heaters

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Heaters Wicks Kerosene Safety tips Shipping

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F.A.Q.

What are the causes of a heater that does not start:

If this is the first time you light the heater, make sure it has been filled with K-1 grade kerosene and that the wick has soaked in the lowered position for 60 minutes in a full tank of fuel, this ensures the wick is completely saturated with kerosene.

When you push the ignite button, the igniter should be glowing a bright orange, you should see the igniter move into position to light the kerosene vapor above the top of the wick surface, if the igniter goes into the side of the wick it will not light. You may have to lower the wick adjuster mechanism a bit to make sure that the igniter is coming into contact correctly. If the igniter isn’t glowing check the batteries or the igniter filament.

What are the causes of a heater that does not turn off?

When you hit the shut-off buton and the wick won’t go down, it's most likely because of tar and carbon build-up. If the heater has been burnt too low or if you are using contaminated kerosene, a sticky tar forms on the wick and it hardens.

As the wick gets harder and thicker it becomes more and more difficult to raise and lower the wick until it will no longer slide between the wick adjuster and the primary air tube. water contamination in the fuel can also cause the cotton fibers in the wick to swell and not allow it to move freely.

What are the causes of a heater that is not burning?

The problem may be caused by not allowing the wick to soak in long enough before lighting, it's the kerosene vapors that burn above the top surface of the wick so it is very important to wait at least 60 minutes with the wick in the lower position in a tank full of kerosene to ensure the wick is fully saturated. If you light the heater too quickly it may light, but air bubbles may develop in the capillaries of the wick, resulting that the wick is not able to keep enough kerosene to the surface to keep the heater from burning properly.

If a problem develops after the first tank of fuel has been burned, then the problem may be fuel-related. Poor quality or water-contaminated kerosene clogs the wick fibers and restrain the fuel flow to the wick surface. The best solution is to replace the wick and fill your heater with fresh K-1 grade kerosene and start again.

What are the causes of bad odors:

Bad odors are most often caused by low quality fuel. If there is high sulphur content in the kerosene you are using or if it is lower grade kerosene, it cannot be burned completely at the temperatures reached in a portable heater. These unburnt hydrocarbons collect on the wick and harden, causing low burn and odor problems.

Also be very careful when fueling your heater to not let any kerosene drip on the heater, kerosene on the outside of the heater or on the drip pan can cause a strong kerosene smell when the heater gets hot. In addition, if the heater is operated at too low of a temperature setting or with the wick installed too low, this will result in an incomplete burning of the fuel and will cause bad odors. A heater should always be operated on high, turned down just enough to keep from sooting.

What are the causes of smoke?

First of all make sure that the heater is filled with K-1 grade kerosene, other fuel such as gasoline burn too hot causing the heater to burn out of control. Never use gasoline or any other fuel described as flammable, if you are not sure about the fuel in your heater it is best to drain it and replace the wick and start with fresh K-1 grade kerosene.

If you are sure of your fuel and your heater is giving off sooty black smoke it is a sign that the fuel/air mix is unbalanced. Make sure the chimney is seated correctly, if it's not seat into place properly, you may be getting a very high flame on one side.

If it’s a high orange flame all the way around, try rolling the wick adjuster knob down - the wick may just be too high. If these things do not fix the problem wait until the heater is cool and inspect the burner cylinder. If there are any holes plugged with soot it needs to be cleaned or if it’s dented or buckled it needs to be replaced.

After you have checked the fuel and burner you should check to make sure the wick is installed at the correct height. Refer to the owner's manual or wick instructions for exact height. If the wick isn't installed properly or if there is no obvious defects, it is best to take the heater to a service center to determine the cause.