Kerosene Heater for Garage [Best Picks and Tips]

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As the temperature drops, working in the garage becomes more difficult and uncomfortable. The extreme cold can be excruciating, making it hard to focus on what you are doing. Thankfully, you can rely on the best kerosene heater for the garage!

You will find two main types of kerosene garage heaters – convection and radiant. Most of them will use 1-K kerosene. While there are safety concerns, you can minimize the risks by operating the unit properly and choosing a dependable option.

Below are four of the best kerosene heaters for your garage:

  1. Mr. Heater MH75KTR Kerosene Heater
  2. Mr. Heater 125,000 BTU Forced Air Kerosene Heater
  3. DeWalt DXH135HD Forced Air Kerosene Heater 
  4. Dura Heat DFA135C Kerosene Heater

Read on to learn more about the best kerosene heaters for the garage, including some of their top features, as well as a few pros and cons.

Best Kerosene Heater for Garages 

Below are some of the best kerosene heaters to keep your garage warm all year round.

1. Mr. Heater MH75KTR Kerosene Heater 

Click here to see it on Amazon.

Powerful Enough to Heat up Garage Within Minutes

Even if your garage does not have insulation, this model promises effective heating, keeping you warm and comfortable. It has 75,000 BTU, making it powerful enough to heat up within minutes of turning it on. 

Heating Capacity

The heating capacity is also incredible. It can heat a garage that is up to 1,875 square feet. Even better, it is compact and portable, especially given its coverage. 

Versatile

We also love the versatility of this product, since you can use it with different fuels. It is compatible with diesel 1 and 2 and kerosene 1 and 2. When the tank is full, it can run continuously for 11 hours. Plus, you don’t have to be left guessing when there is a need for a refill since it comes with a convenient fuel gauge. 

Durable Construction

We expect this kerosene heater for a garage to last a long time with its durable construction. It is made of rugged steel, so it isn’t easily prone to wear. We also love the high-output fan, making it more efficient and effective. 

Safety Features

Several features guarantee safety. For instance, it has a shut-off switch that automatically turns off the motor when it overheats. Plus, it comes with an innovative sensor that detects an unsafe environment.

Built-in Diagnostics

Lastly, it has built-in diagnostics. This makes troubleshooting easy since you will instantly know the exact problem. 

Pros

  • Effectively heats up a garage even without insulation 
  • Excellent build quality 
  • Easy to maintain 

Cons

  • Can be extremely noisy 

2. Mr. Heater 125,000 BTU Forced Air Kerosene Heater

Click here to see it on Amazon.

Promising Option for Large Garages

The size of this garage heater is one of the first things that you will notice. It is massive! This means that it requires a large space. If you have a big garage that needs optimal heating, this is a promising option. 

High-quality Steel Construction

Among others, what we like the most is the high-quality steel construction, the thickest in the industry. It is indicative of how rugged the body is. Even after years of use, the heater is not easily prone to wear. 

10-inch Tires for Mobility

Because of its thickness, it is heavy. Despite the weight, moving around is easy since it has ten-inch tires for mobility. It is also flat-free, so you won’t have to worry about losing air. 

Can Run up to 15 Hours

In terms of performance, it has 125,000 BTU, which makes it powerful. This is enough for heating a garage up to 3,125 square feet. Even the fuel tank is large, with a maximum capacity of 8.5 gallons. When it is full, it runs for up to 15 hours. 

Thermostatic Control

Lastly, you will have complete control of this heater. It has a convenient thermostatic control, so you can set exactly how hot you want the garage. 

Pros

  • Made of thick stainless steel 
  • Easy mobility with flat-free tires 
  • Has thermostatic control for customizing heat level 

Cons

  • Bulky 

3. DeWalt DXH135HD Forced Air Kerosene Heater

Click here to see it on Amazon.

Top-notch Quality

The brand name alone is already a compelling reason to choose this product. The name of the company is synonymous with top-notch quality.

Ideal for Large Space

It is one of the most powerful on this list as it has a power rating of 135,000 BTU. This is great for up to 3,500 square feet, making it ideal for a large garage. 

Has a Wheeled Design

Because it is heavy, many of you may be concerned about moving it around, especially with a full tank. Luckily, it has a wheeled design. It has flat-free and foam-filled tires, making it easily movable. There’s also a convenient handle for pushing the unit. 

Excellent Safety Features

It also stands out because of its great safety features. For instance, it has continuous electric ignition. The latter prevents fuel from pooling, minimizing the potential to start a fire. 

Durable

More so, it has various thoughtful features that promote durability. It has recessed controls, minimizing the chances of being damaged. Additionally, it has front barrel support, making the heater more rigid.

Pros

  • Powerful for a large garage 
  • Has large foam-filled tires 
  • Comes with great safety features 

Cons 

  • Can be prone to fogging 

4. Dura Heat DFA135C Heater

Click here to see it on Amazon.

Can Heat Area as Large as 3,000 Square Feet

Wrapping up our list is another powerful kerosene heater. It has 135,000 BTU, appropriate for heating an area as large as 3,000 square feet.

Comes with Ten-gallon Fuel Tank

More so, it comes with a ten-gallon fuel tank, so you don’t have to refill often. At its size, it can run straight for nine to ten hours, or even longer. 

Built-in Wheels

Despite being bulky and heavy, it is a breeze to move the unit around. It has built-in wheels so that you can push it quickly. We also like the front and rear lift handles, contributing to its portability. 

Easy to Use

It has several features that ensure ease of use. One thing that we love the most is the onboard diagnostic. It has a digital display that shows an error code, so you will instantly know the issue. Plus, it has a fuel gauge, so you won’t be left guessing if it is already running empty. 

Sealed and Heavy-duty Motor

Lastly, it comes with a sealed and heavy-duty motor. It has protection from external elements like dust and debris, among other things that can speed up wear. 

Pros

  • Movable design with flat-free tires
  • Easy diagnostic with the digital display 
  • Heavy-duty motor for longevity 

Con

  • Can generate string fumes and smell

What Is a Kerosene Heater?

Kerosene Heater for Garage

Paraffin Heater

Also called a paraffin heater, a kerosene heater is an unvented portable space heater. It is a primary source of heat in many Japanese homes. Meanwhile, in Europe and the United States, it is more commonly used as a supplemental heating device, especially when there is a power outage. 

Has a Cotton or Fiberglass Circular Wick

While the design can vary from one model to another, they work almost the same way. It has a cotton or fiberglass circular wick. The kerosene goes through the wick through capillary action. After lighting the wick, it heats up and turns into gas. In turn, it heats the room through convection or radiation. 

Over the years, kerosene heaters have been more innovative. For instance, many of them now have an electric fan that forces heated air, making it quicker to warm your garage. 

How to Choose a Kerosene Heater for Your Garage

kerosene heater for my garage

While the options are plenty, it does not mean that they are all the same. To narrow down your choices, below are the factors you should take note of:

1. Type 

The specific type of garage heater is crucial as it will give you an idea of how it works: 

Convection Kerosene Heater

It is often round and throws heat in the garage at 360 degrees. It is the best option if you have a large garage. 

Radiant Kerosene Heater

For smaller spaces, a radiant heater is better. It is often rectangular and will not heat at 360 degrees. It can heat items around, such as curtains, making it a fire hazard. 

2. Power 

This is indicative of the unit’s heating capacity. One of the most important technical specs to look at is the BTU. It measures thermal energy and dictates how hot the heater can get. A higher BTU means that it is more powerful. Nonetheless, it can also mean larger and will use more fuel. 

3. Coverage 

Before buying a kerosene heater, consider the size of the garage and match it to the product you will purchase. Most manufacturers will indicate the maximum square feet capacity of their garage heater. 

4. Tank Capacity 

The larger the tank, the longer the heater can run without refueling. Most garage heaters will have a tank accommodating up to ten gallons of fuel. Many companies will indicate their average runtime. 

5. Ease of Use 

From daily operation to care and maintenance, think of the things that will make the garage kerosene heater user-friendly. It should come with comprehensive instructions. There should also be a diagnostic display, which will make it easier to determine a problem. 

How to Use a Garage Kerosene Heater 

The specific steps might differ depending on the model that you are using. In most cases, however, here’s how you can operate a kerosene heater in your garage:

  1. Pickup fuel for your kerosene heater. In most cases, you will be using 1-K kerosene. It burns clean without leaving foul odor, making it great for indoor spaces. 
  2. Open the fuel cap and fill it with kerosene. Close the cap once you are done filling the tank. 
  3. Let the wick soak for an hour. This is especially important if it is your first time using the kerosene heater. 
  4. Switch it on or urn the knob to activate the heating function. 
  5. Adjust the temperature as you deem necessary.

Is It Safe to Use a Kerosene Heater Indoors?

kerosene heater for garage safe

Yes, using a kerosene heater in the garage and other indoor spaces is safe. Choose a reliable product to be confident that it won’t be a hazard. Also, follow the instructions from the manufacturer and pay attention to regular maintenance to guarantee safety. 

To ensure safety, below are some of the most important things to do: 

1. Provide Enough Ventilation

Kerosene heaters emit carbon dioxide and other pollutants, which are dangerous upon inhalation. 

2. Do Not Operate the Heater Next to Flammable Objects

It must be at least three feet away from combustible materials.

3. Use the Right Fuel

1-K kerosene is the most common. Using the wrong fuel can result in safety hazards and damages to the heater. 

4. Refuel the Heater Outside the Garage

Many models have wheels, so moving it outside is easy. 

5. Install Smoke Alarms in the Garage

This way, you will easily know once a fire has started because of the kerosene heater, and you can respond immediately.

Conclusion – Kerosene Heaters for a Garage

Stay warm and comfortable while you work in your garage with the best kerosene heater! Whether you choose a convection or radiant heater, it effectively makes the room warmer.

Nonetheless, it can be a safety issue, so make sure to use only the right fuel, follow the instructions for proper operation, provide adequate ventilation, and keep flammable objects away. 

Stop looking for other products! Here are some of the top options that should be on your radar: 

  1. Mr. Heater MH75KTR Kerosene Heater
  2. Mr. Heater 125,000 BTU Forced Air Kerosene Heater
  3. DeWalt DXH135HD Forced Air Kerosene Heater 
  4. Dura Heat DFA135C Kerosene Heater

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