Kerosene heaters are a great way to keep warm when outdoors or in cases of power outages. When you plan your prepper kit, tools to keep you warm should be at the top of your priority list; otherwise, the likelihood of freezing or catching hypothermia becomes more apparent. Kerosene heaters help to a large extent in combating this cold and keeping you warm.
Some of the best kerosene heaters for preppers include Dura Heat, Sengoku HeatMate, Remington, Sengoku KeroHeat, and the ProCom Magnum. Durability, efficiency, and heat generation are the key factors you need to bear in mind when you are purchasing kerosene heaters.
In this article, some of the best kerosene heaters are being reviewed. Keep on reading to understand what key features you should keep in mind when purchasing such a heater and what makes these heaters the best in the market and particularly best for preppers.
Why Are Kerosene Heaters Preferred by Preppers?
Before walking you through some of the best kerosene heaters that you could use as a prepper, it is important to understand why kerosene heaters are favored by preppers in the first place.
Kerosene has low volatility and gives out copious amounts of energy, making it a highly efficient fuel.
Its combustion efficiency is close to 99%, and the best thing for any prepper is that kerosene is available for purchase in bulk. You can designate a small space in your home and stack it up with this fuel.
The heaters, too, are inexpensive and portable. They can heat a small space efficiently and quickly. The only downside is that they give out some strong odors every time the heater is turned on or off, but they do not generate fumes or smoke.
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Kinds of Kerosene Heaters
There are essentially two kinds of kerosene heaters. Based on the area or space you wish to generate the heat in, you need to choose the heater accordingly.
Convective Heater
These kerosene heaters are generally cylindrical, and the fuel tank is at the bottom while there is a wick at the top. The top part is also guarded with a grill for added protection. The way these heaters are designed, they tend to generate and distribute heat upwards along the cylindrical length of the entire heater and outwards.
These heaters are best for large areas or multiple rooms on the same plane; however, it is advised not to refuel these heaters indoors. Take the unit outdoors and find a fire-resistant surface to keep the heater while you refuel it. If you put it on easily combustible surfaces or many dry leaves and twigs, it may catch fire, so be careful where you place the heater when you change the fuel.
Radiant Heater
The other kind of kerosene heater is the radiant heaters. These come in a rectangular shape and are equipped with a reflector to direct the heat in a particular direction. Some even have a fan and are used to direct the heat in a specific direction.
The heaters are suitable for small spaces and cannot heat a large room or a cluster of rooms at the same time. The fuel tank in the radiant heaters is removable. This allows you to refuel the unit indoors, unlike the convection heater, where you are supposed to take the entire unit out for refueling.
Safety Features to Look for in Your Kerosene Heaters
Safety should be the number 1 item in your checklist when you are choosing kerosene heaters. It uses combustible fuel to generate fuel, so you need to make sure that there is no risk of the fuel spilling out and becoming a fire hazard or any other cause for concern. Some of the key things that you need to check to see that safety is ensured and listed in the subsequent paragraphs:
Tested and Certified by Authorized Agencies
Make sure that the heaters carry a certification sticker. Usually, in the packed boxes, or even on the labels on the body of the kerosene heater itself, you will find that it is mentioned that such agencies have checked the heater. This is key to ensure that the heater has met the industry standards regarding maintaining the safety features recommended by the authorities.
Auto-Shut Feature
These days, there are features added in heaters that allow the heater to shut off automatically if they accidentally topple off. This is a great feature because if the heater falls over, it is likely that the kerosene may spill out, catching fire. Having an auto-shut feature will prevent this from happening.
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Fuel Gauge
A fuel gauge will help you see the levels to which you have filled in the fuel, and this will, in turn, prevent overfilling the fuel, thereby reducing any risk related to spillage and fire hazard in general.
Battery Operated
The more these heaters are dependent on batteries rather than matches, the safer they tend to be. There is no risk of a stray spark falling in the wrong place and causing havoc. The battery controls the heater more efficiently and without the possible pitfalls of using a matchstick.
Stable Base
When you go for kerosene heaters, whether it is radiant or convection, always look for a stable base, where some of the fuel is accumulated, and you need to ensure that there is a little chance for the fuel to spill out.
A stable base does this for you, and it also minimizes the possibility of the heater toppling over, which is what you would want in your heater.
Now that we have the basics out of the way, we can look at some of the best kerosene heaters that you can consider investing in for your prepper kit.
What Is The Best Kerosene Heater for Indoor Use?
While we don’t know your exact situation, our research has led us to choosing that for most people the Dura Heat Kerosene Heater is the best kerosene heater for indoor use.
Dura Heat Kerosene Heater
The Dura Heat Kerosene Heater is a powerful kerosene heater and has over 23000 BTU in ratings. A BTU rating is the measure of the amount of energy produced per unit.
There is a modern heat chamber whose design reduces any start-up odor. The heater is very efficient and runs from 8 to 12 hours on a full tank. Because of its cylindrical design, it generates heat outwards in a full radius of 360 degrees.
The protective grille on the outside is a great precautionary measure surrounding the hot surfaces on the heater. It decreases any chances of you getting burned if you accidentally touch the lantern.
It is an indoor kerosene heater, but you must take the unit outside for refueling purposes as with any convection heater. The heater is made of quality materials, and it can generate enough energy to heat a large area. It is of great value to any prepper and comes in handy during power outages and emergencies as it provides both heat and light.
One caveat to bear in mind, this heater is not allowed in the state of California. The state laws there prohibit the use of this product in any house or dwelling. You can use them in any outhouses, barns, and garages, though. In Massachusetts, the sale of this product itself is prohibited.
Mr. Heater Corporation Kerosene Heater
The Mr. Heater Corporation Kerosene Heater is a great choice for preppers because of the low odor and low noise output that it emits compared to other kerosene heaters. It is a radiant heater, and unlike most other radiant heaters that can only heat small spaces, this heater provides exceptional heat coverage of 1750 square feet (approximately 162.5 square meters).
It has clean burning features with remote thermostat options available. This means that it does not let smoke or fume be released on burning. All in all, a great heater to invest.
Also, because it is a radiant heater, you do not need to take it out for refueling but can do so in your home enclosed spaces. This is especially helpful in cases of emergencies or disasters where you are stuck inside the house. Going out to refuel a heater during a power outage in rough weather is easily a recipe for disaster, one that you do not want on top of the emergency that is already there.
The low odor and low noise feature are particularly handy when you are out in the wild and do not wish to make too much sound to attract curious four-legged unknowns near your camp or shelter. It quietly gives off heat and keeps you warm without causing a stir. The amount of light it generates in the process can double up as a source of light even. Just do not move it around like you would a flashlight.
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Remington Rem-80-Ofr-O – Radiant Heater
This heater runs on both kerosene as well as diesel. It is a very powerful heater with a range of up to 2000 square feet (roughly 185.8 square meters). Due to its reliability, it is used in garages or farms, but even in construction sites.
It is made of heavy-duty steel and houses a ceramic burner. Due to these high-quality construction materials, it is incredibly safe to use, and any risk of fire hazard is eliminated to a vast extent. It is also equipped with a lifting handle and a fuel cap that is easy to use.
A cooling fan inside this Remington Rem-80-Ofr-O – Radiant Heater helps avoid overheating. A full tank will give you a run time of nearly 72 hours. The heater comes with a one-year limited warranty.
This kerosene heater looks like a giant yellow flashlight and can add a pop of color and add to the aesthetic of any space. Because of its size and the bright color, you are also unlikely to lose it easily. The heater comes with a one-year limited warranty. Given the durability of the materials used in the manufacturing of this kerosene heater, though, the likelihood of claiming the warranty is quite low.
Dura Heat Kero Forced Air Heater
The heater is a compact, multi-fuel enabled air heater. You could use diesel, fuel oils such as JP-8 or Jet-A fuels, as well as kerosene to power up this heater. It is also safe to use as it has a one-touch electric start. So you need not be using matches to light this up. The electrical system is properly protected by fuses.
The Dura Heat Kero Forced Air Heater has a very high capacity motor fan, and it is also flame retardant. It uses the fan and forced-air heating method to generate heat in a given room. Its portable nature is the perfect choice for your heating needs and will make a great addition to a prepper’s arsenal.
The tool is slightly on the heavier side, though. So, if you plan to lug it many miles or carry it in your person, it may be a bit of an arduous task. However, if you are prepping your home to have a safe zone if disaster strikes and is holed up in a corner, this can be just the right heater for you.
Sengoku HeatMate Kerosene Heater
The Sengoku HeatMate Kerosene Heater is another favorite among preppers mainly because it heats a small room fairly well and for a long time. It has a 4.5 liter (152 oz.) tank that can keep a room warm for about 14 hours at a stretch.
This heater has an auto shut-off safety feature and tends to shut down if it falls over. Additionally, it does not need any electricity or even matches to start. It has a push-button, and you are required to push the button to start the heater.
There are also safety grills all around the heater for added protection. Even though the heater is made for indoor spaces, you can also enjoy having it in outdoor setups, such as a gazebo or a deck.
The burner is designed not to consume more fuel when it is windy, and its performance remains intact. The safety grills ensure that even if the heater does topple over due to rough weather and strong winds, it can cause no harm. However, you must immediately correct the heater to an upright position to avoid any spillage. This heater is ideal for daily use as well as for emergencies.
Sengoku KeroHeat Kerosene Heater
This is a radiant heater that runs on kerosene. The Sengoku KeroHeat Kerosene Heater comes with automatic ignition and a flame adjuster, making it risk-free to use to a large extent. The safety features comprise a safety guard, a tip switch, and a kill switch.
The heater has a special pump and a few C batteries included. With a large gallon-sized tank (roughly 3.7 liters), this heater can generate and sustain heat for 14 straight hours on a full tank. It also comes with an approved certification that says the heater has been checked for and confirmed to meet the safety standards and guidelines.
This heater is used in a small and enclosed space of 380 square feet (roughly 35.3 square meters). Like some of the previous heaters listed in this article, this one has an auto shut off feature. So, if the heater topples over, rest assured that it will automatically shut down to avoid any untoward incident from happening.
ProCom MAGNUM Kerosene Heater
The ProCom MAGNUM Kerosene Heater works on both kerosene and diesel fuel and jet fuel. The heater’s exterior is made waterproof, and in general, it is made of very durable and resilient materials.
The heater provides very high heat and circulates the heat across the entire area where it is placed. It is made of industrial-grade materials that are highly durable and come with patented features exclusive to the company. It can be used for commercial purposes such as construction, drywalling, and curing concrete, and it can also be used for home DIY projects.
It has a built-in thermostat and heat control device and a massive 5.5 gallon (roughly 20.8 liters) fuel tank that can emit heat for several hours and heat as large an area as 1900 square feet (approximately 176 square meters). With this large area that they can heat, their fuel tank lasts them around 9 hours at a full tank.
The heater also has an instant heat feature, meaning it does not require any start-up time and can start heating space almost instantaneously after it is switched on. The heater also comes with a fuel gauge making it easy for you to refill it when needed and without spilling.
This video will find a further detailed analysis of some of the best kerosene heaters for indoor use:
Conclusion
Kerosene heaters are affordable, portable, and efficient enough to heat a small room quickly. You can store the kerosene for a long time, so they make a great addition to a prepper’s kit.
Another great advantage of kerosene is that it does not produce smoke or fumes, so it is not hazardous to use it in a closed space. Hopefully, this article has provided you with some key pointers regarding some of the best kerosene heaters in the market today.
