Many of us love our kerosene heaters. They are warm, efficient, cheap to run and often pretty good to look at! Often however we run into frustrations when it comes to find new wicks for kerosene heaters, so here is a little look at how to do it.
One of the problems is that the ranges of portable kerosene heaters changes all the time. Many people will have models that are simply not on sale in their country anymore. In the US for instance, certain manufacturers no longer import their products (even though they are selling them elsewhere in the world) because of kerosene heating regulations.
What is more, many people are keen to keep their antique kerosene heaters in working condition. This is not always just a collection or hobby - in many parts a couple of these older (but still efficient) units will be sufficient to keep a house happily liveable throughout a winter. So why change?
When it comes to wicks, the Internet is a great source. Some people suggest that some of the wicks available are not of the same quality as the original wicks, but others seem to find they work just fine. What is essential is that you get the right wick for the job, and this can be harder than it seems.
To get the right wick you need the exact model number, since similar sounding models are often not interchangeable. Search the under the brand name of the heater and there will be a site telling you how to find the model number. You should also find some meta-lists of all the wicks and what they fit. This is the great thing about the Internet - it is full of information!