Dry Burning is when you allow your heater run out of kerosene. Turn the wick up to maximum height just before it goes out and better wick cleaning will occur. If the wick is very dirty it may need to be replaced or you can dry burn a second time. Because this process can get a little smelly and produce harmful gas, it is best to do it outside the house.

When the wick is used for long periods of heater burning or if your use red colored kerosene in the heater your wick will collect deposits of back and hard material. These deposits can cause the following symptoms to happen. If these occur it’s time to dry burn or replace your wick.

1. Ignition of the wick becomes difficult.
2. Up and down movement of the wick becomes difficult.
3. For Radiant Heaters: the radiant screen in the glass enclosed heat chamber does not glow red hot.
4. For Convection Heaters: the flame tips cannot reach the top of the heat chamber.
5. The time between Ignition and normal burning is too long.
6. Strong fumes or odors develop.

To obtain maximum efficiency of heater usage you should dry burn the wick as it accumulates deposits. Many people dry burn the wick about once a week. The first dry burn should take place within a week of using the heater or after about 3.5 tanks of kerosene. In addition to keeping your wick clean it keeps the fiberglass of the wick stronger leading to a longer wick life and produces less odor.

Please refer to your Kerosene Heater Owner's Manual for detailed instructions for your particular heater.