Kerosene Shelf Life FYI

[randallhilton]

I had a hard time finding a decent reference to kerosene shelf life on the web but I made a discovery today that might be helpful if you're wondering how long K1 can be stored.

Today I found an old Turco kerosene heater in a storage shed full of stuff we had inherited. The tank itself was empty but there was a little bit of kerosene still in the wick reservoir. After cleaning out the leaves, webs and other debris I was able to light the heater with no problems. I added a quart of fresh kerosene just to see if it would work properly, which it did.

According to my wife, that heater most likely hadn't been touched in 20 years or so because the guy who would have used it died that long ago. I'm impressed. Based upon this observation, kerosene might be a good "long term storage" fuel. Any other thoughts?

[OzarkMtnDaredevil]

I agree that Kero will last much longer than is often advertised. In the past week (ice storm in AR), I've relied on it exclusively and have made an interesting observation...
I rotated some K1 that was over 3 yrs old out of my stock. 2 gallons were in metal cans and 3 gallons in plastic jugs. While the empty metal cans had some slight rust inside indicating water that had probably entered via condensation, it still burned well. The kero in the plastic jugs burned just like new.

[MHinFox]

I have used it as old as 5 years old and no issues at all. I use it to heat barn tool room in cold weather.20 years sound like a ood shelf life didnt know that.

[Kyhome]

I dug ours out last week for heat during the ice storm. it was setting in the rack from when we moved here not been used or even lit in 9 years was stored full wick was as moist as was when it was used every day fired it right up no issues at all. not sure what the shelf life is suppose tobe but I just used 9 and 10 year old kero without any problems at all. I test ran it outside as having no internet wasnt sure what i was getting into. Seemed to work as it used too. Rick

[kawalekm]

Hi Randall
I've been using both a kerosene heater, and lamps at our cabin, with good results. I too have used "older" kerosene that worked just fine. Here's one thing though that you can do with older fuel that might have absorbed some water. Cellulose has a strong affinity for binding water, so if you have some older kerosene you're doubtful of, filter it first through a wad a cotton paper towels. Rust and small amounts of water both get caught up in the cellulose.

Another thing though is that I think kerosene might be light sensitive. I bought and old glass yard sale lamp that was yellow in color. I discovered that the kerosene had turned yellow, and there was a yellow film of varnish on the inside of the glass. After cleaning it out with paint thinner, the glass was perfectly clear again. I suspect the lamp had sat out in a sunny location for years and had degraded in the sunlight. So, if you buy any fuel in plastic containers, keep them out of strong sunlight for long term preservation.
Michael

[Buck]

Some really technical info on Kerosene. What a lot of folk's don't
know is kero will draw water and there are microbes that live in
all diesel/kero that will grow into a really nasty slimy sludge if
the fuel is stored to long. From what I can find Kero is good for
6 months tops before it should be replaced.

/www.worldmkting.com/support/technical_faqs.htm

[DM]

Some really technical info on Kerosene. What a lot of folk's don't
know is kero will draw water and there are microbes that live in
all diesel/kero that will grow into a really nasty slimy sludge if
the fuel is stored to long. From what I can find Kero is good for
6 months tops before it should be replaced.



You just be sure to send all your old diesel and kero to me for "proper" disposal... hee he heee

I sure wouldn't want you to have problems useing that old nasty wore out diesel!!

DM