Gas and Oil Home Heating Furnaces - Does kerosene go bad after so long?
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unclejack
12-17-07, 06:30 AM
Hope no one minds this question here but I thought it would be an easy one. I know gasoline goes bad after sitting for a period of time but does kerosene? I have about 5 gallons from last year and I wasn't sure if it would be good or not? Thanks as always!! Jack:thumbup:
Pete OldNavy
12-17-07, 10:49 AM
One year old kerosene is not old. Everything I can find online is that kerosene is a very stable fuel. I would think if it were stored indoors away from wide temperature swings it should be fine.I could not find any mention of stability issues with kerosene.
Now I did find that gasoline may be stored up to 60 days in an approved container. If it is to be stored for a longer period of time, a fuel stabilizer may be used. This will extend the life of the fuel to about 1-2 years, and keep it fresh for the next uses. When gasoline is left for a certain period of time, gums and varnishes may build up and precipitate in the gasoline, causing "stale fuel."
Hope this helps.
Now I did find that gasoline may be stored up to 60 days in an approved container. If it is to be stored for a longer period of time, a fuel stabilizer may be used. This will extend the life of the fuel to about 1-2 years, and keep it fresh for the next uses. When gasoline is left for a certain period of time, gums and varnishes may build up and precipitate in the gasoline, causing "stale fuel."
Hope this helps.
Civicminded
12-17-07, 03:06 PM
I have a kerosene convection heater with a wick that I filled up in very early 2003 with kerosene purchased in late 2002, it sat unused until last january and it worked great. I also have a 40k btu forced air torpedo heater that sat for almost 2 years with the same fuel in it and it worked ok.
unclejack
12-17-07, 05:05 PM
Thanks!! I appreciate it!:thumbup:
Grady
12-17-07, 08:03 PM
Hey bud, It's been a while since we've heard from you.
If you are going to use it in your furnace, go for it. I have some I know is 15 years old & still burns fine. It would probably be fine for a wick burner as well. Before using in a wick burner, pour it thru a cotton rag. That should catch any water. ;)
If you are going to use it in your furnace, go for it. I have some I know is 15 years old & still burns fine. It would probably be fine for a wick burner as well. Before using in a wick burner, pour it thru a cotton rag. That should catch any water. ;)
furd
12-18-07, 12:30 AM
The historical museum (a 100 year old steam-electric generating station) where I sometimes volunteer has torch pots made from 6 or 8 inch pipe about 3 feet tall. The kerosene in these torch pots has been there since I worked in the plant some 34 years ago.
I demonstrate the method that was used to light the burners on the main boilers by pulling a torch and lighting it, allowing the torch to get in full flame before inserting into the boiler front. I'm usually able to get the torch lit with only one match.
So, yeah, one year old kerosene will be fine.
I demonstrate the method that was used to light the burners on the main boilers by pulling a torch and lighting it, allowing the torch to get in full flame before inserting into the boiler front. I'm usually able to get the torch lit with only one match.
So, yeah, one year old kerosene will be fine.