Kerosene Heater vs. Propane Heater

[Cattlegod]

Hey guys, I'm about to buy a heater to heat up garage type areas. One thing I've noticed is you can get a kerosene (forced air induction type) heater for about 180 bucks that can do a nice sized area. The question I have is you can get a similar type of heater for 100 bucks that heats about the same area and runs on propane.

Has anyone used either of these types before and know the pro/cons of each type? The only one I can think of is you can refill the kerosene heater easier than the propane.

 

[FoBoT]

i would choose based on how much you are going to use it
if your use will be high, like 5 out of 7 days a week, go kerosene

if it will be occasional use, like one weekend a month, then go propane


also consider ventilation, i think you can get higher efficiency propane heaters that shouldn't require much ventilation, whereas i think most kerosene heaters need more ventilation as they put off more CO , but that might be a myth

either get a CO detector or something, just don't die

 

[olds]

I have both. I like the propane one better because of the kerosene smell. But the kerosene lasts longer.

 

[thedarkwolf]

I have a kerosene torpedo heater and love it. Its cheap as hell to run and the fuel last a long time plus it has a temp control while none of the propane torpedos I saw did. I run diesel in mine which makes it even cheaper. I"ve never had a problem with fumes but my garage isn't exactly air tight. I use the torpedo to heat the garage up and a regular kerosene/diesel heater to maintain the temp.

 

[Cattlegod]

Yeah, I really like the temp control on the kerosene torpedo heaters too. hmm. also it will be occasional use (maybe once/twice a month).

 

[RU482]

Not sure if this is typical, but last time I was around a kerosene heater forced air heater, my clothes smelled of the fuel/exhaust for the rest of the day. I did not handle the fuel or the heater, but was in the vicinity of the heater while it was running

 

[Cattlegod]

Originally posted by: redly1
Not sure if this is typical, but last time I was around a kerosene heater forced air heater, my clothes smelled of the fuel/exhaust for the rest of the day. I did not handle the fuel or the heater, but was in the vicinity of the heater while it was running

hmm, good point, there probably won't be much smell with the propane.

Anyone know why there is such a huge price premium on reddy heater forced induction kerosene heaters vs. an equal Mr. Heater?

 

[thedarkwolf]

Thats the one I have. I caught it on sale at Lowe's for half off for $100 two years ago I believe near the end of winter when they were unloading all their kerosene heaters. I've never had a problem with my clothes smelling from the heater but when I"m running it I'm usually doing manly things and wearing my work clothes that stink of motor oil anyway. The biggest problems I've had with it is melting things or nearly catching my pants on fire while standing in front of it . Those torpedos put out tons of heat. I melted the air hose to my compressor over the weekend while running it.

 

[Gillbot]

torpedo heaters ftw!