Kerosene heaters are a great way to stay warm in the winter, but they can be expensive and difficult to operate.
To avoid these pitfalls, you may want to consider an alternative fuel for your kerosene heater.
There are many different types of fuels that you could use with your kerosene heater.
These include biofuel, bottled gas, natural gas, and propane. This post will give some tips on how best to utilize these new types of fuel with your kerosene heater so that you can save money and time while still staying comfortable this winter.
Kerosene Heater Fuel Alternatives
Aside from using kerosene heater fuel, there are also other alternatives that you can consider. They include:
Synthetic Fuels
Synthetic kerosene can be distinguished in three ways: biomass to liquid (BTL), gas to liquid (GTL), and coal to liquid (CTL). Synthetic kerosene is only allowed in commercial aviation as a blend, even though it has the same safety characteristics and energy content as petroleum kerosene.
Kerosene is a combustible liquid that must be handled by strict federal, state, and local regulations. It is used as heating oil to power furnaces and stoves.
Synthetic kerosene, also known as mineral spirits, is produced from natural gas or other hydrocarbons and similar to petroleum products (such as smell).
Fuel Cells
Fuel cells have been used in spacecraft and experimental aircraft since the 1960s. Without combustion, fuel cells transform hydrogen directly into electricity and heat.
They are emission-free and quiet, but because there has not been further technical progress, they are too big, heavy, and inefficient for commercial airplane travel.
Hydrogen as Jet Fuel Alternative
Liquid hydrogen is one of the most frequently discussed long-term replacement options for kerosene as jet fuel. Because liquid hydrogen takes up four times more volume than kerosene but delivers two to five times more energy per unit weight, it is considered by some to be the most promising long-term alternative to kerosene as jet fuel.
It’s non-corrosive, and it replaces kerosene in air pollution reduction. Hydrogen is very costly to produce and store, and depending on how it was generated; it may have caused significant carbon dioxide releases. Aircraft would need to be redesigned, as would airport construction.
Bio-Fuels
Bio-fuel is made from feedstocks like rapeseed, soybeans, or algae without using a Fischer Troph synthesis (which is necessary for BTL synthetic kerosene). Biofuels have lower energy content and a higher freezing point than kerosene, limiting their applicability to high-altitude flights.
Additives might help enhance the low-temperature operation of biofuels, but there are also concerns about the cost of industrial feedstocks. In general, biofuel is thought to be suitable for blending, but it isn’t considered an alternative in and of itself when used to power automobiles.
You should only use bio-diesel packaged for lamps with bioproducts from a gas station pump, not with bio-diesel produced from gasoline.
As you can see, there are several different kerosene heater fuel alternatives that you can consider. Which one is right for you will depend on your individual needs and preferences. Do your research and choose the best option for you and your family.
How to Make Bio-Diesel as Kerosene Substitute at Home
Ensure your safety comes first in this endeavor. Also, keep in mind that while you’re performing this operation, it can affect you and those around you.
So, if you’re doing it for fun and have no idea what to do at this point, you’d be better off putting it off until you can get a professional to show you how it’s done. Nonetheless, here goes.
Prepare Your Lab
Before starting your experiment, make sure that you have all the tools and equipment you will use. If possible, set up your makeshift laboratory in a place where you can easily find electricity.
If you’re stumped, use an extension cord of the appropriate length to provide power where ever you go. It is highly recommended that you utilize a folding table since moving your things about may be difficult if you need to do so.
Now is the time to don your safety equipment, including goggles, gloves, and old clothes you aren’t concerned about ruining. The safer your safety gear is, the lower your chance of getting injured.
Heat the Oil
Pour 48 ounces of oil into a flask and heat it on the low setting. Wait until the temperature reaches approximately 120-130 degrees Fahrenheit before proceeding to the next step, using a thermometer. Place a heat lamp near it to keep it at an ideal temperature.
Start Making Methoxide
The next step is to get a funnel and an empty 2-liter pet bottle. Add 5 grams of lye to the bottle. Fill it with 1.4 liters of ethanol and make sure the lid is on tight.
Finish Making the Methoxide
To dissolve the lye in methanol, gently rock the plastic bottle. The bottle will heat up slightly due to the combination of the two chemicals, called methoxide.
Prepare for Stirring and Temperature Regulation
Now, get your vegetable oil out and the flask and put it on a magnetic stirrer again. Experiment with the distance of the heat lamp to adjust the temperature.
Combine the Methoxide with Vegetable Oil
Slowly add your methoxide solution to the vegetable oil flask. If you must, use another vessel to avoid spillage.
Stir the Mixture and Maintain the Temperature
Now it’s time to turn on the magnetic stirrer. Begin with the lowest speed and gradually increase it until you see the liquid swirling around the flask.
To increase bio-diesel output, keep the mixture in the stirrer for at least two hours while monitoring its temperature from time to time.
Keep the Glycerin Drained
Bio-diesel will form as the stirring continues. Drain glycerin using your stopcock function from the funnel as you only want bio-diesel now. Keep it in a separate container to use for other purposes.
Make a Simple Distillation Setup
Put the flask in boiling water. The methanol will evaporate and then condensate at the top of the tube to a different flask.
Clean the Bio-Diesel
Bio-diesel is made from oil. You can clean it by adding water to it. This will make the bio-diesel better.
Separate Water from the Fuel
Using an air pump commonly found in an aquarium, separate the tap water from the bio-diesel.
Repeat the Cleaning Steps as Necessary
Repeat steps 11 and 12 until there is no longer any undesirable residue in the container.
Dry
After this, drain the bio-diesel through the air pump’s hose into its flask and let it run for three days or longer.
Test the Bio-Diesel
You’ve now created a functional bio-diesel that you may use to heat your kerosene heater or lamp. Enjoy!
FAQ
Can I Use Vegetable Oil Instead of Kerosene?
According to ChemistryLand, homemade biodiesel produced from vegetable oil may be used in kerosene heaters.
You can convert clean vegetable oil to bio-diesel on a small-scale production level.
Some people have had success using vegetable oil in their kerosene heaters. In addition, vegetable oil can be used as a cheap alternative to more expensive fuel options.
But it is not always the best choice for every user or model of a kerosene heater. So, make sure you check with your manufacturer first!
The biggest concern when burning vegetable oils is if they will clog up the mechanism inside the heater, which causes problems and potentially dangerous situations.
Sometimes this could cause other leaks or cracks that would lead to bigger issues down the road.
Can I Use Gasoline Instead of Kerosene?
Yes, you can use gasoline as a fuel alternative in kerosene heaters. However, there are some things you need to take into account before doing so:
- Gasoline is more expensive than kerosene.
- Gasoline produces more pollutants than kerosene.
- Gasoline has a lower BTU output than kerosene, meaning it will not heat your home as efficiently.
If you still decide to use gasoline as a fuel alternative in your kerosene heater, be sure to follow all of the safety precautions that are included in your heater’s user manual.
Can I Use Coleman Fuel in a Kerosene Heater?
Yes, you can use Coleman fuel in a kerosene heater. However, you should only do so as a last resort, as Coleman fuel is not as efficient as kerosene and will produce more emissions. Additionally, using Coleman fuel in a kerosene heater may void the warranty on your unit.
Can Lamp Oil Be Used in a Kerosene Heater?
While you cannot use lamp oil in a kerosene heater, it can be burned in a lantern. Kerosene heaters are designed to use clear fuel and have a low odor.
Lamp oil does not meet these requirements, so it should not be used as an alternative to kerosene for heating purposes.
Conclusion
Kerosene heaters are a good choice for heating homes and other buildings. When you purchase one, read the instructions carefully before using it.
Also, consider purchasing safety equipment such as gloves and goggles to protect yourself from accidents or injuries caused by fuel spilling on your skin or face area.
If this post has helped you learn something useful, don’t hesitate to share or post your comments below. Also, in case of any questions, feel free to reach out through email.