Considering a Kerosense heater but concerned about storing the fuel. Anyone have opinions or even better...facts about how/where/how long this can be stored and if it needs to be treated to be stored. thanks.

-- jsj (y2kweirton@aol.com), February 08, 1999

Answers

If you go down to the bottom of the "New Questions" page you will find the older messages grouped by category. Click on the category "Alternative Energy" & you will find the answers to your questions.

Best of luck

-- Bingo1 (howe9@pop.shentel.net), February 08, 1999.

Here's what I have read/heard, check it out yourself before going ahead and storing it:

Kerosene is considered a combustible under the fire code, unlike gasoline which is considered flammable. This means it will not ignite as easily as gas, but kero's fumes can still ignite. I believe the NFPA code allows maximum 60 gallons storage outside, 25 gallons inside. It must be stored in approved blue containers, away from sources of ignition. Wherever you store it, steps must be taken to keep it away from children.

Kerosene to be used in an unvented, wick-type heater or lamp must be the K-1, water-white variety. Have your dealer show you a sample (bring along a mason jar for examining it)... it should have no yellowish tint - if it does, it's either contaminated, or he's trying to sell you diesel. Also, if it is pink or reddish, reject it. Some kerosene has a red dye added for tax puposes, and it is entirely unsuitable for use indoors with lamps and heaters - it will clog up the wick (diesel will do this too), as well as possibly making you ill from the fumes.

Kerosene will store for upwards of three years if:

A. It is kept reasonably cool, and

B. It was of high quality to begin with, or

C. If it wasn't first quality and water settles out of it, steps are taken to remove the water, preventing bacterial growth.

There are kero additives available that claim to extend its life, but I've never used them, and don't believe they're necessary if you plan on using it up in a few years time.

-- Why2K? (who@knows.com), February 08, 1999.

To summarize (and to check myself) - if I get three/four of the larger kero (5 gal ea) this spring from the hardware store, I should be okay leaving but sealed but outside and undercover (and locked). true? What about freezing if left in garden shed?

-- Robert A. Cook, PE (Kennesaw, GA) (cook.r@csaatl.com), February 08, 1999.

I see no reason why you couldn't store kerosene in those 48 gallon Pepsi or Coca Cola barrels that you can purchase at bottling plants. They are made of heavier plastic than the blue keorsene containers.

-- bardou (bardou@baloney.com), February 08, 1999.

Robert: Kero won't freeze unless you live at the poles :)

Bardou: Heavier plastic, sure, but are you certain that the compounds used are compatible with petroleum? I'd make certain first.

-- Why2K? (who@knows.com), February 09, 1999.

Hey Why2K,

I went back for a couple more of the blue 5-gal. cans but no soap, so I bought two of the red gas cans instead. Stupid question: aside from the mislabeling on the two cans they should be fine for kero right? I am just making sure not to miss anything. The folks that will be using the kero know what is in the two 'gas' cans. We won't be storing any gasoline at all. TIA

-- Jeremiah Jetson (laterthan@uthink.y2k), February 09, 1999.