Staying warm and toasty in colder climates is essential, yet using an electric heater is not always possible in remote areas due to lack of power source. Instead, use a kerosene heater that works well indoors or as a backup to provide heat in a power outage. You have to choose smaller heaters for indoor environments (dining rooms or lounges), while larger heaters for larger spaces (like warehouses or garages).
They are available in various sizes, designs, and models, which makes it a bit difficult to pick the right option. We suggest you consider the following key factors before investing in a kerosene heater.
- BTU Rating and Coverage Area: Based on the coverage area, you have to purchase the heater producing the required heat output (measured in BTU). The heat output of the kerosene heater will range from 10,000 – 200,000 BTUs. Measure the room’s size or coverage area to calculate the required BTUs. Usually, square feet of the area require at least 20 BTUs to warm it. So, calculate accordingly and select a heater.
- Fuel Tank Capacity: Based on your frequency of usage and runtime, you have to select the heater’s fuel tank size and capacity. It let you know when to refuel the tank. For instance, if using the heater occasionally (like on power outages) then go with a smaller fuel tank, while using the heater daily, then go with a larger fuel tank to prevent frequent refueling.
- Safety: Safety is the foremost concern while using kerosene heaters. So, check whether the model you choose is providing all essential safety measures like overheat protection, anti-tip switch, or carbon monoxide monitor. Also, never leave the heater unattended for a long time and use them in areas with proper ventilation.
To ease your searching and shopping process, we came up with a list of some Best Kerosene Heaters for Indoor Use with a detailed description, features, pros, and cons. Also, we have provided a detailed “Buying Guide” to help you in choosing your perfect option.
6 Best Kerosene Heaters For Indoor Use – Comparison
| Kerosene Heater | Heating Capacity | Coverage Area | Warranty | Buy Now |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Dyna-Glo Indoor Kerosene Heater | 23000 BTU | 1000 square feet | 1 year | Check On Amazon |
| Sengoku Group Kerosene Heater | 23500 BTU | 900 square feet | 2 year | Check On Amazon |
| Mr. Heater Kerosene Heater | 75000 BTU | 1875 square feet | 1 year | Check On Amazon Check On Walmart |
| Heatstar Kerosene Heater | 175000 BTU | 4250 square feet | N.A | Check On Amazon |
| Kero World Indoor Kerosene Heater | 10000 BTU | 400 square feet | 1 year | Check On Amazon Check On Walmart |
| DeWalt DXH135HD Kerosene Heater | 135000 BTU | 3500 square feet | 1 year | Check On Amazon |
6 Best Kerosene Heaters For Indoor Use Reviews
1. Dyna-Glo Indoor Kerosene Heater
Dyna-Glo is a well-regarded brand for kerosene heaters. They offer a variety of models for different needs, with heating capacities ranging from 10,000 to 50,000 BTUs. Their heaters are known for being dependable, economical, and easy to use. When it comes to the best options, the Dyna Glo WK24BK kerosene heater is what we would recommend.
You get a pretty small and compact form factor with this kerosene heater that resembles that of an oil lamp. And despite its fairly compact form factor, you get a pretty decent heating capacity of up to 23000 BTU. It even offers a coverage area rating of 1000 square feet that should be more than enough for home-usage. As for the build quality of this kerosene heater, it is quite good and much better than most other consumer-grade models. Unfortunately, you only get a 1-year long warranty with it that is a bit on the lower side.
Best Features:
- Heating Capacity of 23000 BTU
- Coverage area of up to 1000 square feet
- Runtime period of up to 12 hours
- 1-year long warranty
Pros:
- Decent heating capacity rating
- Justified size and form factor
- Long runtime period rating
Cons:
- Offers only a 1-year long warranty
2. Sengoku Group Kerosene Heater
Ranked second on the list of top indoor kerosene heaters, the KeroHeat Portable Convection Kerosene Heater by Sengoku is your reliable, user-friendly, and cost-effective heating solution. It efficiently warms spaces up to 1,000 square feet, equipped with safety features like automatic shut-off and easy push-button start. With protective safety guard grills and a 2-Year Limited Manufacturer’s Warranty, it ensures peace of mind.
Ideal for large rooms and poorly insulated buildings, this heater guarantees warmth and comfort across various settings. Its 1.9-gallon tank provides up to 12 hours of continuous heating on a single fill, offering reliable warmth. With dimensions of 18.5 x 18.5 x 25.5 inches, this portable heater is designed for convenience and flexibility.
Best Features:
- Heating Capacity of 23500 BTU
- Coverage area of up to 900 square feet
- Runtime period of up to 12 hours
- 2-year long warranty
Pros:
- Durable and long-lasting
- Easy to maintain
- Safe and convenient
Cons:
- Pedestal design might not suit all spaces
3. Mr. Heater Kerosene Heater
For those seeking a robust kerosene heater for tough tasks, Mr. Heater delivers. The F270270 MH75KTR stands out as the most potent option in this selection. With a whopping 75000 BTU heating capacity, it’s more than you’ll likely ever need. This powerhouse covers an impressive 1875 square feet, making it ideal for heating large commercial spaces efficiently.
Crafted from durable steel, this heater boasts a sturdy construction. It features a heavy-duty fan for proper ventilation, ensuring safety while in use. Thanks to its sizable fuel tank, you can enjoy up to 11 hours of continuous operation without frequent refills. However, it’s worth noting that it only comes with a 1-year warranty, which may be a drawback for some.
Best Features:
- Heating Capacity of 75000 BTU
- Coverage area of up to 1870 square feet
- Runtime period of up to 11 hours
- 1-year long warranty
Pros:
- Most powerful unit in this article
- Decent runtime period rating
- Great build quality using steel
Cons:
- Comes with just a 1-year long warranty
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4. Heatstar Kerosene Heater
This sturdy heater from Heatstar, part of the Enerco group, is highly praised by users for its strong design and durability. Despite being on the pricier side, its numerous useful features make it hard to overlook. With a powerful heat output of 175,000 BTU per hour, it can quickly warm an area of 4250 sq. ft. Once filled, its tank can last up to 10 hours without needing a refill.
This user-friendly heater can run on various fuels like kerosene, diesel, JP-8, and home heating oil. It prioritizes user safety, automatically shutting down if temperatures get too high. Measuring 42 x 18 x 22 inches, it’s a compact appliance that doesn’t take up too much space. At 60 pounds, it’s heavier than some other heaters, but its sturdy wheels make it easy to move around with minimal effort.
Best Features:
- Heating capacity: 175,000 BTU per hour
- 4250 sq. ft coverage area
- 10 hours running period
Pros:
- Sturdy build
- Good mobility
- Safety shutdown when overheating
- Great capacity
Cons:
- Expensive
5. Kero World Kerosene Heater Indoor
Kero World is a small brand that makes affordable heaters to keep you warm in winter. They also sell parts and extras to fix their heaters. Their indoor kerosene heater can warm up a 400 sq. ft. room with 10,000 BTU heat. It has a 1-gallon tank that lasts for 12 hours and starts with batteries. It’s 20 lbs without kerosene, so it’s easy to move around.
The heater is sturdy with metal construction and looks practical. It has a steel cage to keep kids safe from the flame. Setting it up is simple, even though it needs assembly. Plus, it comes with a pump for easy refueling. The heater is backed by a 1-year warranty from the original date of purchase.
Best Features:
- Heating capacity: 10,000 BTU
- 400 sq. ft coverage area
- 12 hours running period
- 1-year long warranty
Pros:
- Durable build quality
- Easy to use and refuel
- Lightweight and easy to handle/carry
Cons:
- Assembly is required
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6. DeWalt DXH135HD Kerosene Heater
The DeWalt kerosene heaters are user-friendly, with easy-to-use controls and safe features like enclosed motors and built-in thermostats. Among them, the DXH135HD model stands out for its powerful heating capacity of 135,000 BTU per hour, warming areas up to 3500 sq. ft. quickly. It can run for up to 9.5 hours on a full 16-gallon tank.
This heater includes safety features like overheat shut-off and can run on multiple fuels, not just kerosene, making it versatile and safe for various conditions. You can adjust the heat using the built-in thermostat, and its sturdy steel construction ensures durability. Though it’s sizable at 18.25 X 39.75 X 21 inches and 60 pounds, it’s still manageable with foam-filled wheels and an ergonomic handle, facilitating easy movement.
Best Features:
- Heating capacity: 135,000 BTU per hour
- 3500 sq. ft coverage area
- Running period of up to 9.5 hours
- Shut-off switch and inbuilt thermostat control
- 1-year long warranty
- Multi-fuel capability
- CSA certified
Pros:
- Easy to assemble, use and maintain
- Sturdy build that is durable and last longer
- Safe and convenient to use
Cons:
- Expensive
How To Choose The Best Kerosene Heaters For Indoor Use?
Beat the winter cold and enjoy the warmth with the top-notch kerosene heater models. If you want to know more about how to pick the best model that is suitable for your requirement. Then go through this guide that helps you in selecting the right option.
Let’s take a closer look at some of the key aspects to consider while shopping for the kerosene heater.
1. BTU Rating & Coverage Area
A kerosene heater you choose should provide sufficient heat output to warm the selected indoor area. The heat output of any heater is measured in BTU, and its range for kerosene heaters will be from 10,000 – 200,000 BTUs. So, it is a must to select the model having proper BTU rating, yet not too high or too low BTU ratings.
Before buying, you have to measure the size of your indoor area/room (overall dimensions – length & width), where you want to place and use the heater. Then multiply them to calculate the area in square feet.
For instance, if a room is 25 feet long and 15 feet wide, then the floor area will be 25X15 = 375 square feet. Usually, we need 20 BTUs for every square foot, which means 375X20 = 7500 BTUs is essential to provide essential warmth to that room. So, a kerosene heater with 10,000 BTUs is required to purchase.
The same applies to any room, irrespective of its size (large factory or small warehouse). A building with 60 feet long by 50 feet wide will heat the 3000 sq. ft area. In this case, you have to purchase a heater with a minimum heat output of 60,000 BTUs.
2. Tank Size
Tank size and fuel capacity are other deciding factors in purchasing kerosene heaters. If you don’t prefer to change the tank quite often, particularly if the process needs more effort and time. Usually, a single fuel tank offers around 9 hours of heating, yet requires containers that last for up to 15 hours.
Most people think buying a heater with a huge tank will make it run for a longer time. But it is only helpful while using it daily, why because it won’t let you refill it regularly. In case, if you are using it rarely (like only on power outages), then a model with a larger tank is not only an ideal option but also occupies your storage space and is more difficult to carry a larger fuel tank when it is full.
3. Maximum Runtime
How long your heater will run? It is an essential question to consider before buying a kerosene heater. Each heater model offers different runtimes, as it is based on the tank size. So, a general rule is that the bigger tank allows you to fill more fuel at a time and thereby run for a longer time.
While your chosen model has a thermostat to change the temperature, then it will affect the maximum runtime of the machine. For instance, the heater lasts for a longer time when running at a lower temperature than the one which is kept on a higher temperature setting.
4. Heat Coverage Area
Apart from generating a high amount of heat uniformly, the kerosene heater can offer heat over a large amount of area. So, you have to check the coverage area of the heater before making its purchase. The rate of this coverage area is measured in square feet, and common options are like 1000 square feet or 1700 square feet.
However, the rating varies from one model to another, which means some models are used for smaller rooms, while others are designed for much larger rooms or halls. A kerosene heater with a lower rating is enough to warm a room with some users, yet need to choose a higher rating to provide warmth at a commercial site. So, choose it based on your space and the number of people needs to get warmth.
5. Controls
Though the heaters mentioned in this article are not electric ones, you can get a few controls in them. Such controls are highly handy for changing different aspects related to these heaters. A thermostat is one of those basic and common things found in these kerosene heaters.
This allows you to change the temperature of the heater along with your surroundings. It works by adjusting the amount of kerosene being burnt at a given moment. Also, you can find some fan adjustment options to have an in-built for better air circulation.
6. Safety Features
Safety measures are crucial to check while shopping for a kerosene heater. So, it’s better to invest in a model having features like a protective shield, or tip-over shut off. They are handy in case of accidents or minimize the chance of getting fire accidents. Also, follow a few security measures to prevent any dangerous threats. Don’t leave the heater unattended for a long time (or overnight) or avoid placing it in the consistent foot movement path. Here are a few safety features to consider.
- Overheat protection: It turns off the heater automatically whenever the temperature is too hot. This feature will safeguard your home and enhance the heater’s longevity.
- Anti-Tip Switch: Usually, kerosene heaters get knocked over accidentally, which might result in causing a fire. So, this switch will prevent fuel leakage and thereby automatically turns off the heater.
- Air Monitor: We suggest you install a carbon monoxide monitor on the place where you are using this kerosene heater to know about the oxygen levels are maintained at a proper level in the room for the sake of you and your family members health.
Though it is safe to use these kerosene heaters, yet keep in mind that a model with many safety measures is a better option than a model with low.
7. Price
How much you are going to spend on this kerosene heater? It is always a better idea to figure out the amount you like to spend on the heater before shopping for the heaters. We suggest you compare several models and pick the one which balances your budget and requirements. The general price range will be from $70 – $1000, based on the features and build quality. Make sure that if you go up a bit in the price range, then you might get better performance, longer life, and easy-to-use models.
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes, they are. They won’t produce fumes like wood or coal, which makes them more environmentally friendly. When it comes to energy efficiency, the efficiency level of kerosene is 90%, while electricity has 31% and gas has 77%.
Among those two options, kerosene is safer to use. Even though natural gas burns clean and is easy to find or buy, yet kerosene offers more heat and is eco-friendly.
You can easily adjust the wick with the help of a wick adjustment knob, which is situated on the wick housing on a heater.
It depends on the particular type and model of the heater. For instance, forced-air models require a few minutes to heat the room, whereas other models require at least 20 minutes.
Mostly, it is not considered the safe option to use the heater while sleeping or leaving overnight, until and unless proper safety measures are followed or supervised. Also avoid using the heater without proper ventilation and a carbon monoxide detector, which senses and alerts you whenever its range will go beyond the level. Most experts recommend not to use/turn on the heater overnight while sleeping.
No, they are not at all safe to breathe, why because they produce harmful fumes. So, it is essential to have proper ventilation and regular maintenance while using these heaters.
Make sure to remove the kerosene fuel before storing this kerosene heater, yet never place the heater with still kerosene in its fuel tank. Then properly clean and pack the heater just like a newly purchased item delivered.
For this, use a twist tie to wrap the electrical cord to prevent damage while not using this device. Ensure to keep the heater and fuel containers in a dry place without any dampness.
Kerosene heaters come in different sizes of tanks, while the larger one with a full tank can easily hold 1.2 liters. This fuel tank will make the heater run for up to 14 hours. Simply, this 1.2-gallon fuel tank will provide warmth for 14 hours, which means 1 gallon of kerosene will run a heater for 11.6 hours. Keep in mind that the heater will burn the fuel based on its settings. For instance, if kept heater at a high-temperature setting, then the rate of fuel consumption is high. Ensure to use high-quality kerosene, such as a 1-K grade for maximum efficiency rather than low-grade fuels available at low prices.
Compared to other types of heaters, a kerosene heater is considered an efficient and affordable option. Apart from higher heating capacities, the kerosene heaters come with an in-built fan to make sure for an even heat distribution in all corners of the room (either indoor or outdoor spaces). Finally, the low operating and maintenance costs along with high heating capacity will make this kerosene heater a much more efficient option than electric or other heaters.
Conclusion
Just per its name, a kerosene heater burns kerosene as a fuel inside that allows it to function as a heater and heat up a room. Even though this serves the same function as an electric heater, it does allow you to use it on the go without any power source issues. Therefore, we have mentioned some of the best kerosene heaters indoor use up above in this article.
You can also find their major features and options, along with a detailed buying guide to easily differentiate between them and buy the perfect one. If you are still confused, then you can consider going with one of our recommendations:
- In case that you are on a budget, you can go with the Dyna-Glo Kerosene Heater Indoor. Despite being the cheapest option in this article, you get a 1-year long warranty with this portable model that offers a decent heating capacity of 23000 BTU at the given price tag along with a compact form factor.
- You should go with the DeWalt kerosene heater indoor if you want a highly reliable and durable one. Apart from offering an excellent build quality, you get a 3-year long warranty. And since it is rated at 75000 BTU heating capacity, it should be more than enough for most users out there.
- But if you want the hands-down best performing option, the Sengoku Group Kerosene Heater can be a great pick. Its 23500 BTU heating capacity and the 900 square feet of coverage area, making it a great option for heavy-duty usage.
Make sure to share your thoughts in the comments section. You can also post any questions down there if you have any!
