Best Indoor Kerosene Heater for Home Coziness

Kerosene heaters have been around for a long time now. These appliances have proved to be better alternatives than other types of heaters since they can heat a large space. Kerosene heaters are portable heating gadgets fueled by kerosene. These are mostly used in cold countries during emergencies. However, some countries use these appliances as the main source of heat, like Japan.

Kerosene heaters are some of the best heating solutions if you do not want to rely on electricity to warm your house up. They are simple to understand and use, can be carried around easily, and will significantly lower your electricity bills.

Types of Indoor Kerosene Heater

Primarily, there are two types of indoor kerosene heaters, convection kerosene heaters and radiant heaters. Depending on the space where you live, it is important that you buy the right type, or else you could face problems, like the buildup of carbon monoxide.

Convection heater

Most convection heaters are cylindrical. Their fuel tank can be seen below the combustion chamber and the wick; the wick absorbs the fuel and delivers it to the combustion chamber. They then circulate the warm air upwards and outwards, which spreads in all directions.

These heaters are designed for large rooms. In fact, a single or double unit can easily heat an entire room adequately if the temperature does not fall below the freezing limit. Since convection heaters are not fitted with a removable fuel tank, you need to take them to a hardware store for refueling, which is done via a siphon pump. You must make sure that your convection heater has a fuel gauge.

Benefits of convection heater

Some benefits of convection heaters include:

• Quiet operation
• Pocket-friendly price
• Low energy consumption
• Heat large spaces quickly
• Distribute heat evenly throughout the room

Radiant heaters

Radiant heaters or square kerosene heater units are mostly rectangular in shape and perfect for use in smaller areas. Apart from the wick and combustion chamber, these heaters are fitted with a reflector that directs the heat in a specific direction. Some also feature electric fans to increase the flow of warm air.

Most radiant models are fitted with a removable tank, which means you do not have to move the entire appliance around for refueling. You just need to carry the fuel tank for the purpose. If the radiant heater does not have a removable fuel tank, you will have to carry the entire heater for each refueling.

Benefits of radiant heater

Some benefits of radiant heaters include:

• Energy-efficient
• No drafts
• Perfect for small- and medium-sized rooms
• Heat ambient air without blowing any dust

7 Best-Selling Indoor Kerosene Heater

Some of the best indoor kerosene heater appliances include:

Last update on 2024-09-29

1. Mr. Heater F232000 MH9BX Buddy Propane Radiant Heater

Last update on 2024-09-17

The F232000 MH9BX Buddy heater by Mr. Heater is a great kerosene heater that is safe to use indoors and completely portable. It is an indoor radiant heater that provides heat to a small-sized room quickly.

The appliance is fitted with a sensor that automatically shuts off the oxygen levels in your room. If the weather is not too cold, you can run the heater at 4,000 BTU; for extremely cold nights, you can turn the heat up to 9,000 BTU.

While the heater might look tiny, it can easily heat a room measuring up to 200-square-feet. A high-quality ceramic burner tile is fitted into the heater’s overall design, which offers shock-absorption insulation. This makes it highly durable and allows you to carry it around for outdoor activities, like camping.

Pros:

• Has 100% efficiency rate
• Can effectively heat a 200-square feet room
• The heat output is between 4,000-9,000 BTU, which can be controlled with a temperature control dial
• Portable and lightweight
• Does not occupy a lot of space in your room

Cons:

• Not good for medium- and large-sized rooms
• Requires propane for operation, which is expensive
• The exposed flame is risky, especially if you have children and/or pets
• Does not work well over 7,000-feet above sea level
• Not fitted with a gas tank

2. Dura Heat DH1051

Last update on 2024-09-25

The Dura Heat DH1051 is the best kerosene heater for indoor use that can warm your 1,000-square-feet room up to 360 degrees and has a heating power of more than 20,000 BTU. It can dispense warm air in all directions.

The appliance has given a lot of importance to safety features and is fitted with an anti-tip switch so that it shuts down automatically if it is knocked down accidentally. Also, the dip tray ensures that accidental kerosene leakage only falls on the plate.

The DH1051 has an internal fuel tank with a capacity of 1.1-gallons and can be refueled through a squeeze pump tool. Since it does not have any lift heat chamber, the operation is odorless. The build of the heater is good and can provide adequate warmth quickly. It does not require electricity to operate.

Pros:

• Simple to understand and use
• Availability of warranty and excellent customer service
• A single tank of kerosene makes it work for more than 15 hours
• Can also be used outdoors
• Silent operation

Cons:

• The handle is flimsy
• You need to read safety precautions first
• The siphoning unit is not reliable
• Control sometimes fails to turn down the wick
• Fails to ignite at times

3. Sengoku HeatMate Omni-Radiant Kerosene Heater, OR-77

Last update on 2024-09-29

The Sengoku HeatMate is a great kerosene heater for anyone who is looking for a tiny and powerful appliance. While it might be small, it has a tremendous heating capacity. This makes it perfect for anyone who cannot afford a lot of space for the heating unit.

The heater is lightweight and can be carried around easily. It is fitted with a 1.2-gallon fuel tank that can provide heat for up to 14 hours. The appliance is economical and durable and can operate for straight 12 hours when the tank is full.

The igniter is automatic and you can adjust the heat levels according to your comfort level. Perhaps the best feature about HeatMate is the automatic switch-off button that allows you to switch off the heater immediately, instead of waiting for it to cool down. This is a nice feature, especially if you have children and/or pets in your home.

Pros:

• Fitted with an automatic shut-off switch
• Features auto ignition
• Good heating capacity
• Simple to understand, use, and handle
• Does not emit any type of odor

Cons:

• Fuel tank capacity is small
• Unreliable handle
• Not as effective as other kerosene heaters
• Ignitor system is not 100% reliable
• Most customers are not happy with the wick system

4. Sengoku KeroHeat Radiant Kerosene Heater, CTN-110

Last update on 2024-09-29

Yet another entry by Sengoku, this KeroHeat unit is a small-sized radiant kerosene heater that can produce about 10,000 BTU, which is perfect for a 400-square-feet room. This heater is easy to understand and use and can be transported easily. It has been designed to provide warmth and comfort during the cold season.

The unit produces an impressive 10,000 BTU of heat. The automatic ignition system eliminates any electrical sources for firing. It is also fitted with some important safety features, like a safety guard surrounding the burner, a tip-over switch, and an automatic shut-off button.

The Sengoku KeroHeat kerosene home heater has a capacity of about 1.2 gallons, which is more than sufficient to run it for 14 hours. Also, the product has been UI approved, which means you are getting a reliable unit.

Pros:

• Packed with a two-year warranty period
• Easy to refuel and use
• The auto ignitor allows you to light the unit
• Can heat a 400-square-feet room easily
• Portable and lightweight

Cons:

• There is the smell of kerosene during startup and shutdown
• Auto ignitor is not so reliable
• Takes a longer time to heat
• Not made for large-sized rooms
• The wicks need constant replacement

5. Dyna-Glo RMC-95C6B Kerosene Convection Heater

Last update on 2024-09-29

The Dyna-Glo RMC-95C6B is a great indoor kerosene heater with thermostat that perfectly combines performance, convenience, and safety features. It is fitted with automatic ignition and has a safety shut-off feature too. Overall, the appliance is very easy to operate. Thanks to its wide base, tipping is prevented.

The heater is fitted with a 1.9-gallon tank, which offers an operation time of about 11 hours. The heating area is 1,000-square-feet, which means it can easily heat a medium-sized room. Since it is a convection heater, you can easily place it in the center of the room and the heat will be distributed evenly around the room.

The in-built thermostat will allow you to control the temperature. This Dyna-Glo heater is very durable and can withstand both casual and heavy uses. Its design has been built for efficiency and safety. The pricing is also very affordable. It is a good pick if you are looking for a small and portable kerosene heater.

Pros:

• Lightweight and portable
• Certified as UL
• Odorless operation
• Fitted with several safety features
• Decent pricing

Cons:

• The tank opening is narrow
• Knob and handle tend to get hot
• Needs clear K-1 kerosene for best operation
• The heating quality could have been better
• Flimsy wick construction

6. Dyna-Glo RMC-55R7 Kerosene Radiant Heater

Last update on 2024-09-29

The Dyna-Glo RMC-55R7 Radiant Heater has a fuel tank capacity of 1.1 gallons. It is an energy-efficient heater that can provide warmth to a 500-square-feet room for more than 12 hours, depending on the type of kerosene you use.

The unique feature of this indoor kerosene heater is that it provides radiant heat to the line of sight areas, which can save a lot on power bills and fuel. The unit is of good value and quality and requires minimum effort during the assembly process. The internal fuel tank can be removed and includes a fuel gauge, which helps you keep track of the kerosene level in the tank.

The heater is fitted with all the important safety features. Its one-touch ignition and extinguishing system makes it easy to operate. The auto shut-down feature turns off the appliance if it is accidentally tipped over, thereby preventing potential injuries and accidental fires.

Pros:

• Has been UL certified for testing
• The safe heating option is more reliable
• One-touch shutoff feature
• Tip-over switch
• Automatic ignition system

Cons:

• Handle gets hot quickly
• The wick does not stay up at lower settings
• Not easily available
• The front grill could have been of better quality
• According to many kerosene heater reviews, the heat output could have been better

7. Dyna-Glo WK11C8 Kerosene Convection Heater

Last update on 2024-09-29

Dyna-Glo WK11C8 is a modern and sleek kerosene heater indoor that is perfect for indoor and outdoor use. The white color is very aesthetic and looks very modern. It also gives out a lot of heat (23,000 BTU), which can easily provide warmth to a room of 1,000-square-feet for 20 hours straight.

The heater is fitted with a 1.9-gallon kerosene tank that has been tested thoroughly. It features a manual shutoff button and a safety tip control that turns the heater off when it tips or bumps over.

The heater is compact, small, and lightweight, which allows you to move it around the house or even outdoors, like for camping. You can also store it easily, even if you have minimum space in your home. Despite its size, it does not compromise on the performance and will provide you with optimum heating.

Pros:

• Covers an area of 525-square-feet
• Fitted with the auto-shut off feature
• Highly efficient and powerful
• Looks great in aesthetic white color
• Can be easily assembled

Cons:

• Can lead to smoking
• Some parts need to be fitted separately
• The ignition rarely starts on the first try
• The heating quality could have been better
• Lacks radiation

How to Use a Kerosene Heater

Best Indoor Kerosene Heater Buyer’s Guide

When you are looking for the top indoor kerosene heater, there are some considerations that you need to remember like:

Convection or radiant

As mentioned above, there are two types of indoor kerosene heaters, convection and radiant heaters.

Convection heaters are mostly made for large areas because they can be used effectively to heat more than a single room at a time. All you need to do is place them in the central position and the heat will circulate upwards and outwards in all directions. However, you should never use convection heaters in an enclosed room, like your bedroom, since there is always the danger of carbon monoxide and suffocation.

On the other hand, radiant kerosene heaters are primarily made for smaller rooms. Instead of emitting heat in all directions, the unit directs warm air towards the user in a specific direction and proximity. While it is perfect for small rooms, it is almost impossible to heat an entire room with a radiant heater.

Safety

When you are looking for a heating device, it is important to understand what safety features it has. Whatever heater you choose, you need to ensure that you are completely safe. The appliance needs to have protection against overheating so that it turns off when it becomes too hot. Apart from being safe, the heater also lasts longer.

Another feature that you need to look for is an anti-tip switch. It is a possibility that you might accidentally knock it over and set everything around you on fire. An anti-tip switch will prevent this from happening and should be considered if you have young children and/or pets.

Fueling

Refueling is a tough and time-consuming job. Hence, you need to look for a heater that is easy and quick to refuel. Additionally, messing around with something like this can be potentially dangerous.

You also need to look for a unit that allows you to store the fuel for a long time. Some of these heating appliances can provide 15-20 hours on a single tank. However, a large tank does not necessarily mean that the heater will run for long. There are some models with smaller tanks that are so efficient that the fuel lasts the same amount of time as the ones with larger tanks.

Storage

Since the heater is not the main source of warmth, especially in colder countries, you need to consider storage. You must measure the unit before purchasing it. Also, measure the area where you plan on placing the appliance. You will have to store the fuel containers and make room accordingly.

You can buy a kerosene heater, only if you have enough room for storing the heater and the cans of fuel. It is advised that you store the items away from home for safety reasons. For instance, you can store the materials in your garage and bring them out whenever you want to. If you opt for your basement, you should be careful since the rising temperature here can cause the kerosene to catch fire.

Frequently Asked Questions

Here are some common FAQs regarding indoor kerosene heaters:

Q. Are kerosene heaters dangerous?

Yes, kerosene heaters are quite dangerous, especially if you misuse them or do not know how to handle them. Most of these hazards and risks can be mitigated if you follow the instructions. Thankfully, modern kerosene heaters are fitted with a lot of safety features, like manual shut-off switches and safety grills.

Q. What causes these heaters to emit a bad odor?

In most cases, the bad odor is caused by low-quality fuel. Due to the high concentration of sulfur, low-grade and old kerosene does not burn properly. These unburnt hydrocarbons accumulate on the wick and stabilize over time, thereby decreasing the efficiency of the unit and emitting bad smells.

Q. Why do some kerosene heaters start smoking?

You need to ensure that only good-quality kerosene is used. You should never make use of other types of flammable fuel, like gasoline. This is because these fuels tend to burn too hot, thereby causing the heater to burn out of control. If you are not sure which fuel is inside your heater, you need to drain it and look for new fuel and wick.

Q. Why does not a kerosene heater stay burning?

One reason why your kerosene heater does not stay burning is because of insufficient soaking of the wick before lighting. To support the burning of the kerosene vapors, the wick needs to be properly saturated. If not, it could lead to the development of air bubbles on the capillaries of the wick. This hinders the normal flow of kerosene and your heater will not function properly.

Conclusion

A kerosene heater is quite a handy appliance, especially if you live in a cold area and your central heating system stops working. The heaters mentioned above are some of the best products you will see on the market today.

You can choose any one of these, as they all are great at heating your room and house. All you need to do is weigh your considerations and budget. Eventually, you will land with the best indoor kerosene heater!