Paraffin and kerosene stoves, which one to choose in 2024?

All the paraffin stoves, also known as kerosene or kerosene stoves, are not widely used in most countries, although they continue to have an enormous role in some countries of South America, where the income per inhabitant is lower, and does not allow access to one of the the news pellet stoves or gas stoves. The great advantage of this type of stove is undoubtedly its price, which is very low compared to most other stoves..

They also result perfect if we need to transport them, to give heat to several rooms or if we only use them for short periods of time, due to their small size. Its fuel, paraffin, is not a problem for any user, which is another great advantage.

Comparison of kerosene stoves

The best		ZIBRO LC-30, fireplace...	See features	2.676 Reviews	View deal
Price quality		Indoor Paraffin Stove,...	See features	No ratings	View deal
Our favorite		ZIBRO LC-32, Stove...	See features	712 Reviews	View deal
	MERCATOOLS Stove...	See features	No ratings	View deal
	Tissi 241 A stove	See features	97 Reviews	View deal
	Toyotomi CLEAR20L Ultra...	See features	761 Reviews	View deal

The best ZIBRO LC-30, fireplace...

Price quality Indoor Paraffin Stove,...

Our favorite ZIBRO LC-32, Stove...

MERCATOOLS Stove...

Tissi 241 A stove

Toyotomi CLEAR20L Ultra...

See features

2.676 Reviews

No ratings

712 Reviews

No ratings

97 Reviews

761 Reviews

View deal

The best paraffin stoves

Here we show you some of the best paraffin stoves you can buy on the market today, and that you can purchase through Amazon for greater convenience;

Zibro RS-122 paraffin oven

The Zibro paraffin stove is one of the most sold on Amazon and without a doubt it is because of its price, but because of the characteristics it offers us. Among them, the installation without exhaust pipes and the possibility of using it even with electrical cuts stands out.

With a power of 2.2KW it is more than enough to heat rooms of between 19 and 48 square meters with a contained fuel consumption of between 0,083 and 0,313 liters per hour, so thanks to its 7.5-liter tank we will achieve a great autonomy.

If you want it, its price is around 190 euros and you can buy it using our offer to get it at the best price.

Qlima SER-3230

If you want to heat a larger room, we have this other model with 3KW of power and for rooms of up to 48 square meters.

Its heating power is 3KW, its tank increases to 8.1 liters and it is recommended for heating areas with a surface area of 48 square meters.

With this power, you can buy this paraffin stove for a sensational price for the benefits it offers.

toyotomi

And if our budget is still lower, we can always opt for the Toyomi kerosene stove, which we can find for just over 180 euros and will allow us to heat rooms of between 19 and 48 square meters with a consumption that ranges between 0,083 and 0,313 liters a the time depending on the power and temperature that we have selected on the thermostat. This stove has a heat power of 3KW.

Undoubtedly, this fuel stove will be perfect to heat small rooms or to have it in a second residence where we rarely go in winter.

Qlima SRE 9046

Finally, we want to show you the Qlima SRE liquid paraffin stove, which has the great advantage that we can easily transport it anywhere. Its price is also not too high if we take into account the features and advantages it offers us.

Of course, keep in mind that it is designed to heat rooms between 75 square meters and 190 square meters. This paraffin stove is the cheapest of the entire comparison but it is also the one that offers the least power (4.65KW).

Paraffin for stoves

As we have already commented previously the liquid fuel used for these stoves is paraffin and kerosene. Despite the fact that there are some differences between them, especially at a commercial level, they are frequently considered the same thing, something that we will use to treat them from now on as the same fuel that we will use for our paraffin stoves.

The paraffin is obtained, without going into too much detail, through a oil filtering process, distilled at very high temperatures. With this process, an oil is achieved that is then cooled and when it crystallizes, it becomes paraffin, of course, after several filtration processes and acid and alkaline washes.

Image of a drum of paraffin

Both paraffin and kerosene are derived from petroleum, which causes their price to vary with certain frequency depending on the price of black gold. This fuel, which is very advantageous on the one hand, is a disadvantage on the other hand since it leaves a very characteristic smell when lighting the stove.

Paraffin or kerosene can be purchased in a large number of establishments and even online through different virtual stores, such as Amazon and many others.

Types of paraffin stoves

In general, there are currently two different types of paraffin stoves;

Wick Paraffin Stoves

This type of stove stands out for its enormous simplicity and above all because they do not need to be connected to the electrical network. For them to work you will only have to fill the fuel tank and immediately begin to receive the heat they produce.

The only drawback of this type of stove happens the first time we want to use it and that is that in order to start using it we will have to wait half an hour before turning it on so that the wick is well soaked in fuel and works correctly.

Electronic or Laser Stoves

Unlike wick stoves, electronic or laser stoves if that They need to be plugged into the electrical current since they have an electronic control system that will offer us great advantages when using it. Among them is the electrical control of the burner, the fuel saving function, a thermostat on and off the burner or the daily programming for operation.

How a paraffin stove works

Although there are currently many different types of paraffin stoves on the market, their operation is very similar, and in addition to being simpler. And it is enough to fill the fuel tank with paraffin and light the corresponding wick so that our stove begins to produce heat.

Here are two videos that show how to light a paraffin stove in a simple way as we can see in the ignition of a kerosene heater with an electric burner (modern model):

Advantages of a paraffin stove

Below we show you the main advantages that paraffin stoves have;

Dry heat. These types of stoves produce dry heat because kerosene heaters cause very little humidity unlike other stoves. This also makes the sensation of heat occur almost immediately.
Safe fuel. Paraffin, contrary to what one might think, is a safe fuel, which does not present a risk of explosion and reduces fire risks to a very low level.
Null facilities. Unlike other types of stoves, no type of installation is needed to start using a paraffin stove.
Heat spreads very quickly throughout the room where the stove is located
They serve to heat large spaces. The smallest paraffin stoves can be used to heat spaces up to 20 square meters, but the larger models can heat rooms up to three times as large.
Great performance. The energy efficiency of these stoves is close to 100%, which offers us great performance
Price. Currently the price of paraffin stoves, especially if we compare it with other types of stoves, is really very low.
Great savings. In addition to the good price with which paraffin stoves are sold, their operation is very economical since with only 20 liters of paraffin we can keep the stove running for approximately 100 hours.

Disadvantages of a paraffin stove

Ventilated spaces. They should only be used in ventilated spaces
Beware of carbon dioxide. One of the main disadvantages of this type of stove is the carbon monoxide they produce, which can be fatal to humans. They have security systems that should prevent incident dangers, but it is interesting not to use them at night and only do it as we have already said in well-ventilated spaces.
Give off odor. Paraffin and kerosene give off odors, especially in the ignition stage, which can be very unpleasant for certain people

Consumption of a paraffin stove

We have already commented that buying a paraffin stove can be really economical for us, but also the fuel we need for it is more than possible that it is also very economical. And it is that the paraffin for stoves can be found for a really reduced price. For example, after searching for an online, we have been able to acquire A 20 liter can of fuel for only 40 euros, so it is easy to deduce that a liter of paraffin costs 2 euros.

The consumption of a paraffin stove depends on its power, but a simple stove is capable of heating a room of 40 square meters with a consumption that will be between 0,10 and 0,30 liters / hour. This of course will depend on the temperature we want to reach in the room, the quality of the insulation and other aspects.

From these data we can obtain the following range:

0,10 liters / hour x € 2 / liter = € 0,20 / hour
0,30 liters / hour x € 2 / liter = € 0,60 / hour

And draw these conclusions;

Best case: € 0,20 / h / 40 square meters = 0,005 € / h
Worst case: € 0,60 / h / 40 square meters = 0,015 € / h

Are paraffin stoves safe?

Image of a paraffin stove

Unlike what many people believe paraffin stoves are quite safe, with a minimum of care and attention when using them. Of course, it cannot be ignored that they are not the safest stoves that we can find available on the market today.

First it is very important to be careful with the smell they give off these stoves when we turn them on and that can cause us some other problem. Also, if we use them in ventilated spaces and avoid using them at night to prevent possible problems with the carbon monoxide they give off, they should not give us too many problems.

Paraffin stoves are definitely safe for daily use, as long as, and as with almost all stoves, we take a minimum of care when using them.

Where to put a kerosene stove

Paraffin Stove Buying Guide

Although kerosene or paraffin stoves are quite efficient when it comes to having a room with good ventilation, it has to be placed in a suitable place to optimize its performance.

They are recommended for spaces of up to 50 square meters, although it also depends on the power. The more power you have, the more space you can heat. It is not advisable to place it in bedrooms or less ventilated areas of the house, since they emit gases with bad odors and that, in excess, are toxic.

Most kerosene stoves have anti-tip systems and sensors They detect the amount of CO2 in the environment to stop the gas. If you do not have an electrical connection in the space where you plan to place the stove, you will have to choose a wick paraffin stove.

How to light a paraffin stove

If you have bought a paraffin stove, it is normal that you have doubts at first about how to start it. Here we help you to know it. It is easier than you think, you just have to do the following:

Fill the kerosene fuel tank. A natural pump can be used. To do this, we use some tubes and introduce them into the drum. Next we pump manually.
After the tank is fitted into the stove and makes sure it is properly positioned.
Finally, the crank is turned to operate the stove and it will start to work.

How to clean a paraffin stove

Although paraffin stoves are very practical and efficient, they also spoil and get dirty. To avoid consumption problems or any danger, it is good to always have them well cared for and clean.

Its maintenance is not very complex, but it must always be kept in its best condition so that it works for as long as possible. To maintain it, you just have to do the following:

When we turn on the stove, we must bear in mind that the button should not be pressed for more than 4 seconds, or else we will be burning the resistance little by little. Maybe the next time we want to turn on the stove we will not have the resistance to do so.
The wick requires little care too. When the cold season is over and we are going to stop using the stove, we must burn all the paraffin in the tank. You have to wait for the stove to stop working by itself. When this happens, the wick dries up and we prevent it from hardening.
When you need to change the wick or resistance, you can do it yourself. You buy them separately and disassemble the case. Once there you will only have to replace the parts.

As you can see, maintenance is quite simple in general.

Are they effective?

There are several types of paraffin stoves and each of them has an efficiency depending on the power. This type of stove can increase the temperature of a room in a short time. This capacity makes its consumption somewhat higher.

Paraffin is sold in 20 liter drums usually, with prices that range between 40 and 50 euros. Once you turn on the stove, depending on its power and the intensity at which you turn it on, it consumes between 0,13 and 0,30 liters every hour.

They are ideal for places where there are drafts. For example, to heat public places where doors are continuously opened and closed or windows are opened. In addition, their ability to be transported anywhere and without the need for installation, makes them more efficient.

Paraffin or gas stoves

A constant controversy among users of stoves is the comparison between paraffin and gas stoves. Each type of stove has its advantages and disadvantages, depending on the use that is going to be given to it.

We are going to try to present a comparison to clarify the pros and cons of each type.

Paraffin stoves provide a dry heat and favors the rapid sensation of heat. The fuel is safe and requires no facilities. It has a yield close to 100% and represents a great saving. However, it is only recommended for ventilated places and it is not used to heat your room at night, since it gives off carbon monoxide. Fuel gives off an unpleasant odor, especially when turning it on and off.

On the other hand, gas stoves are easier to move, since they have built-in wheels. They are easier to find and cheaper to buy. They have good security measures and fuel is cheap too. They don't need too much maintenance. However, they cannot be used in poorly ventilated spaces and generates a lot of humidity in the environment.

As can be seen, the advantages and disadvantages of both are very similar. Therefore, it is advisable to buy one or the other depending on the type of need you have. For places where it is needed rapid heating and drafts, the paraffin stove is better. If, on the other hand, we need a stove that is more stable over time and that does not give off odors in larger places, we will use the gas stove.

Is a paraffin stove the same as a kerosene stove?

This is a question that many people ask themselves. Paraffin or kerosene? However, there is no reason to have doubts, They are the same. Paraffin or kerosene is a type of transparent and flammable fuel that is obtained through the distillation of petroleum. It is also used in the manufacture of insecticides and as solvents.

When used in the field of stoves, the word paraffin is used more than kerosene. However, the two terms refer to the same type of fuel. Being flammable, caution must be exercised during use and transport.

With this information, it is sure that all aspects related to paraffin stoves have been made clear. Now you have to choose the type of stove that best suits you depending on your need.