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Topics: Heating

I have been using the kerosene all summer for heating the hot water and as far as I know, it is just fine. Here in Hokkaido people use what is in the tank and add more when needed, as far as I know. I asked around and they said if it is more than two years old you should take it to a recycle/reclaim place. It depends upon the type of heater you are using too, what kind of element it uses, and some heaters have "elements" that go "bad" regardless of whether the kerosene is old or new.

The kerosene in my outdoor tank is only 6 months old...... the tank was filled in March or April. I have used kerosene in Chicago that was at least 3 years old with no problem, but it may depend upon your heater, the one I used had a pan where the kerosene burned and heated the incoming kerosene so it gasified and it burned with a blue flame.

Kerosene is a lower refractory product in the petroleum distillation process so it is actually more stable than high test gasoline for example. The gas for my chain saw has to be relatively fresh, if it is more than a year old the saw does not work as well. Since it is generally cold and dark for a large part of the year in Lapland it does store rather well for long periods of time (October to April)

I've found kerosene from the previous season is okay if it's been kept in the dark and relative cool. It should not have changed color. If it's changed color throw it out, as it will damage your heater. Kerosene kept in the heater is generally okay and I've kept it on the verandah in one of those plastic storage boxes with the roll up doors - so darkish but probably gets quite warm - and it was okay. As a general rule however I think you should try and use up all the kero from one season to the next, even if it means a few night wrapped up in blankets.

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