Where can I get kerosene?

akjuneau Feb 08, 2009 20 Comments

I just acquired a nifty little kerosene heater to use when working out in the garage, or – maybe starting this week – to use when the power goes out at my house.

But, I’m not sure where the best place is to get kerosene to fuel the thing.

Hardware stores have kerosene in little metal jugs, but the price is almost $10 a gallon. It has to be available for cheaper than that, right?

The only gas station listed under “kerosene” in the phone book said they don’t carry it anymore.

So, does anyone know where I can get kerosene in Duluth? (Time is running out before the freezing rain starts)

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20 Comments

Liz

about 16 years ago 

Call or try Menard's - a family member has a kerosene heater & we were trying to figure out too where she could purchase some inexpensive fuel & I think she found some reasonably priced at Menard's

@ndy

about 16 years ago 

The BP station on the southeast corner of Central Entrance and Arlington Ave. is probably a lot cheaper than a hardware store. Make sure you have an approved receptacle (gas can) to pump it into though.

akjuneau

about 16 years ago 

Does that BP have kerosene, though? I called them because they were listed in the phone book, and the clerk said they did not.

@ndy

about 16 years ago 

They used too. I haven't bought kerosene in a long time but Superamerica used to sell it too. I would try calling them. If that doesn't work, ICO might sell it (especially considering they sell heating oil which is kerosene based).

Barrett

about 16 years ago 

To clarify @ndy's statement: You CANNOT put kerosene in a "gas can." Kerosene must be transported in kerosene can, which is essentially the same thing, except that it's blue and used ONLY for kerosene. 

You certainly wouldn't want to accidentally put gasoline or a gas/kerosene mix in your kerosene heater. Unless you want to die in a horrific explosion.

Pear Head

about 16 years ago 

The SA between Lavaque and Midway on Hwy 53 carried kerosene last year (or maybe it was the year before?).  I haven't tried to buy it since then.

duluth

about 16 years ago 

You can buy kerosene to your hearts content over here in Japan... やすいよ！！　So make a trip of it, and return with a full jug 'o kerosene!

Karasu

about 16 years ago 

Try places that sell fishing equipment — some ice house heaters might use kerosene. I think they usually use propane in this day and age, though.

(I had always thought kerosene and white gas were the same (never having used/bought/thought about it), but a google search said they're not, though maybe your heater could burn white gas, too? It sounded like some camping stoves could burn both. Read the label, though.)

@ndy

about 16 years ago 

To further clarify my statement: cannot ≠ should not. I have put kerosene in a "gas can" several times, regardless of whether it was red, clear or pink with polka dots. Smart? Perhaps not, but then again I never has a similar container holding gasoline to confuse it with. In fact I believe Northern Tool and Equipment used to sell kerosene in a clear container approved for holding flammable liquids which was rather effective as kerosene has a noticeably different color than gasoline.

I really do appreciate your attempt to keep us from blowing ourselves up Barrett, and granted, safety trumps grammar, but I find it rather presumptuous of you to think you can clarify my statement. Don't assume I meant to say "kerosene can" when I said "gas can". I said exactly what I meant to say. Feel free to attack the merit of my words but don't imply I meant to say what you think about kerosene transportation safety, because I didn't.

Barrett

about 16 years ago 

Presumptuous? OK, if you say so. Obviously you *can* put kerosene in any container. You *can* put it in a milk carton and store it in your refrigerator if that's what you really want to do.

Pardon me for wanting to help prevent a potentially fatal mishap. That was my only intention.

@ndy

about 16 years ago 

Right, and that is why I said that I appreciated your intent.

Barrett

about 16 years ago 

Ok, so maybe "clarify" is the wrong word. I APOLOGIZE. The point is, don't blow yourself up.

ginger

about 16 years ago 

Please people, this is not the time for  'inflammatory' statements, okay?

akjuneau

about 16 years ago 

Solved.

Kerosene available from the pump at Pike Lake Super America; price was $2.79 a gallon today.

Compare to $7-10 a gallon in metal cans from Menard's, Home Depot, etc.

According to the manual with my heater, those little metal cans are preferable because the kerosene can't get contaminated... but at that price difference, I'll fill my own blue plastic container and risk a few specks of whatever.

And, for the record, the originator of this post recommends putting kerosene in a blue can. Even more importantly, never NEVER put gasoline in a blue can.

Starfire

about 16 years ago 

httpv://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QaDrFHpW1Yo





Because it needs to be seen.

"Now that's full on fun!"

vicarious

about 16 years ago 

Did you see the miniature mushroom cloud?

kokigami

about 16 years ago 

Also, beware CO. Kerosene heaters are notorious killers.

cork1

about 16 years ago 

You can also store kerosene in bottles, using a rag as a stopper. I think that's how they do it in Finland.

Rick

about 16 years ago 

Kerosene is available at the BP on 40th west, I've been buying it there for years.  Also at Kimmes tire and oil in south superior.  Blue Kerosene cans are available at Menards

NotInDeluth

about 16 years ago 

I just went to a local gas station to refill my cans.  A few years back, we bought two 5 gallon kerosene cans (we needed large cans for the tractor we had just bought and that was all that was available at that time, we were assured by the guy at the hardware that they were safe to use with gasoline, and as long as we never had a use for kerosene, there would be no mixups) we have been consistently using them for gasoline for at least 3 years.. usually filling at the same station.  As I was filling the small 3 gallon red can.. a lady came over the speaker to inform me I cannot use the blue cans for gasoline because they're for kerosene.. then RAN out to tell me again.  I told her they've had no problem with my filling them for the past three years, but to rest assure, they will not have to worry about me purchasing another DROP of gasoline from their station again.  I took them to another gas station and filled them with no issues.

..ok.. I feel better now that I've vented! :)

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