Features
- Portable 23,500 BTU kerosene heater is ideal for creating cozy atmospheres indoors or outdoors while providing superior heat with a heating zone capacity of up to 1,000 square feet
- Fuel capacity of 1.9 gallons, ensuring you stay warm for up to 12 hours and is safe for use inside offices, garages, poorly insulated rooms, outdoor patios, and other hard-to-heat spaces
- Non electric heater has automatic safety shut-off and start push-button to make it easy to light without matches or electricity, with an EZ Flame adjuster, tip-over safety switch, and protective safety grills
- Includes a siphon pump for quick, safe, and convenient transfer of kerosene to heat without any mess and 2 D batteries for everyday supplemental heating needs in emergency situations
- Kerosene space heater measures 25.5 inches long, 18.13 inches wide, and 18.13 inches tall with a weight of 21.8 pounds for simple carrying and has a neutral black color design
Specifications
Color | Black |
Size | 23,000 BTU |
Unit Count | 1 |
Related Tools
Portable kerosene heater delivering 23,500 BTU of heat suitable for spaces up to about 1,000 sq ft, with a 1.9-gallon fuel tank that provides up to 12 hours of operation. It runs without electricity using a push-button ignition, includes an adjustable flame control, automatic shut-off, tip-over safety switch and protective grills, and comes with a siphon pump and two D batteries.
KeroHeat Sengoku Indoor & Outdoor Kerosene Heater, 23,500 BTU, Portable Use, Black - Cordless Heater for Home, Garage, Basement, and Camping Review
A cold snap and a four-hour power outage gave me the perfect excuse to put this kerosene convection heater through its paces. I’ve used plenty of electric space heaters and a few propane units over the years; this one sits in a useful middle ground: big, quiet heat without needing an outlet. Here’s how it fared in real use and what you should know before you rely on it.
What it is and who it’s for
I’ll keep the name simple: this Sengoku heater is a 23,500 BTU, non-electric, wick-style kerosene heater rated for up to roughly 1,000 square feet. It’s meant for supplemental heat in garages, basements, workshops, open-plan living spaces, cabins, and emergency use when the power is out. It’s not a tiny desktop warmer; it’s a full-size convection tower with an approximately 18-inch footprint and about 25 inches of height, weighing about 22 pounds empty.
If you need fast, whole-room warmth without a cord—and you’re comfortable handling liquid fuel and occasional maintenance—this category makes a lot of sense.
Setup and first fill
Assembly is straightforward but not entirely tool-free. The protective wire guard attaches with small screws; I strongly suggest using a hand screwdriver and light torque to avoid stripping the thin-sheet-metal threads. The wick is pre-installed. Before first lighting, I filled the 1.9-gallon tank with clear 1-K kerosene (the water-clear, low-odor variety), then let the wick soak for about an hour. Don’t skip that step; a fully saturated wick is crucial for a clean first burn.
Two D-cell batteries power the push-button igniter. I tossed in fresh alkalines; they’re cheap insurance for reliable starts.
Filling is cleaner than I expected thanks to the included siphon pump. Use a proper blue kerosene container, set the heater on a protective mat, and keep a roll of shop towels handy. If you’ve never bought kerosene before, check farm stores and hardware chains; prices in my area range from $5 to $8 per gallon.
Performance and heat output
The headline number—23,500 BTU—translates to serious, room-filling convection heat. In my detached, moderately insulated 20×24-foot garage (about 480 sq ft), the heater raised the air temperature from 41°F to 67°F in roughly 55 minutes on a calm day around freezing. In a more open, 900-sq-ft main floor, I saw a climb from 60°F to 70°F in about an hour and a half, with even warmth throughout rather than a hot corner and cold far wall.
Unlike a forced-air “torpedo” heater, this one is nearly silent—just the faint whisper of combustion—so it’s comfortable to run while working, reading, or riding out a storm. There’s no thermostat. Heat output is adjusted by raising or lowering the wick with the EZ Flame control. Once I found the sweet spot (more on that below), the flame was stable and the heat smooth.
Fuel consumption at full burn worked out close to spec: roughly 0.15–0.17 gallons per hour. With a full 1.9-gallon tank, expect up to 12 hours on a conservative setting, less if you’re pounding out maximum BTUs.
For cost context: at $6 per gallon, I’m paying about $0.95 per hour for around 23,500 BTU/h (about 6.9 kW) of heat. An electric 1,500-watt space heater gives you 5,100 BTU/h at roughly $0.20–$0.30 per hour (at $0.13–$0.18/kWh), but you’d need several of them to match this output—and they won’t run during an outage.
Controls, lighting, and flame quality
Lighting is push-button simple when the wick is fresh and properly set. Press the igniter, watch through the window for an even ring of flame, and let it stabilize for a minute. I had one finicky start on a windy day; cracking the flame adjuster slightly higher cured it. There’s also a manual lighting port, and a long-stem lighter works fine if batteries die.
Flame height matters. Too low and the heater doesn’t develop full convection; too high and you’ll get odor and sooting. Once the mantle is glowing and the flame ring is even, I nudge the adjuster down until the flame tips are just below the top edge of the burner. That gave me the cleanest burn and the best fuel economy.
Shut-down is equally straightforward: a lever drops the wick. Expect a brief whiff of kerosene at startup and shutdown; it dissipates quickly with a little air movement.
Odor, air quality, and moisture
Run correctly on good fuel, the heater is nearly odorless in the middle of a burn. The caveats are important:
- Use clear 1-K kerosene; dyed or off-spec fuel smokes and smells.
- Maintain the wick (see below).
- Vent slightly. I crack a window about an inch or open a nearby door for a minute every so often.
Combustion always consumes oxygen and can produce carbon monoxide if something’s off, so I treat any unvented heater with respect. I keep a CO alarm in the room, ensure adequate clearance, and avoid sleeping with it running. Also note: unvented kerosene heat adds water vapor to the air. In a dry winter home that can be pleasant; in damp locations you may see condensation on cold surfaces.
Safety and handling
The heater has the right basic safety gear: a tip-over switch, an automatic shut-off, and a sturdy wire guard around the hot surfaces. I tested the tip-over switch (a carefully controlled nudge on a cold unit) and it cut fuel as it should. Still, the exterior gets very hot; keep kids, pets, and clutter at a distance. I use a three-foot no-go zone around it.
Portability is good for the size. At about 22 pounds empty and roughly 35 pounds with a full tank, it’s moveable between rooms or out to a covered patio—just wait until it’s fully cool. This is not something you want to carry while lit.
Maintenance and ownership
Wick heaters reward a little care:
- Let the tank run low occasionally and perform a “dry burn” (operating briefly to char off deposits per the manual) to keep the wick clean.
- Don’t trim modern fiberglass/cotton wicks with scissors; adjust height instead.
- Store fuel in clean containers and filter when filling if you can.
- At season’s end, empty the tank and burn the wick dry to prevent gumming.
Plan to replace the wick every season or two depending on hours. It’s a 30–45 minute job if you’re reasonably handy.
What I like
- Big, even heat without fan noise; ideal for open spaces up to about 1,000 sq ft.
- No cord, no generator—works during outages.
- Simple controls and reliable ignition with fresh batteries.
- Reasonable operating cost for the output.
- Included siphon pump makes refueling cleaner than most.
What could be better
- Instruction booklet is sparse, especially for first-timers to wick maintenance and break-in.
- Small sheet-metal screws are easy to over-torque during guard assembly.
- No thermostat or oxygen depletion sensor—common for this class, but worth noting.
- As with any unvented heater, you must manage fuel odors at start/stop and provide ventilation.
Where it fits—and where it doesn’t
This Sengoku heater excels in garages, workshops, cabins, and as an emergency heat source for larger rooms. If you want set-and-forget, on-the-wall heating with precise temperature control, a vented or electric system is a better fit. If you’re extremely odor-sensitive or unwilling to store and handle kerosene, you’ll be happier with alternatives.
Used as intended—short to medium runs to bring a space up to temperature, then off or dialed back—it’s a very effective tool.
Bottom line
After running it across a few winter days and one blackout, I came away impressed by the sheer amount of quiet, even heat this unit produces and by how manageable the kerosene routine is once you get the wick set correctly. It’s not fancy and it shouldn’t be left unattended, but it does its job with minimal fuss.
Recommendation: I recommend this heater for anyone who needs high-output, portable heat without electricity—especially for garages, workshops, basements, cabins, and emergency backup at home. It earns that recommendation on the strength of its output, simplicity, and reliability. Just go in with realistic expectations: keep fresh 1-K kerosene on hand, learn the wick’s sweet spot, ventilate sensibly, and treat it with the same respect you would any open-flame appliance. Do that, and it’s a dependable, powerful heating companion when you need it most.
Project Ideas
Business
Event & Patio Heater Rentals
Rent portable kerosene heaters to restaurants, wedding planners and event producers for outdoor gatherings in shoulder seasons. Offer packages that include delivery, setup with safe clearances, fuel top-ups, trained operator service, and pickup. Price by day and account for fuel, labor, insurance and seasonal demand. Ensure compliance with local fire codes and provide liability waivers and proof of training.
Jobsite Warming Tent Service
Provide temporary heated tent/warming stations for construction crews, emergency responders, or film sets working in cold weather. Package options include tent rental, heater(s), fuel management, safe installation, ventilation monitoring, and periodic maintenance. Market to contractors and municipal agencies; offer short-term contracts and emergency callouts. Invest in staff training, PPE, and liability coverage.
Cold-Weather Pop-up Market Support
Offer a service supplying and maintaining heaters for pop-up winter markets, outdoor vendors and craft fairs. Include layout consulting to ensure safe heater placement among booths, on-site technicians for refueling and safety checks, and optional branding wraps for heaters to advertise sponsors or event names. Charge per heater/day plus a service fee and promote through local business associations.
Seasonal Glamping & Heated Tent Rentals
Start a seasonal glamping operation that uses portable kerosene heaters to provide reliable warmth in off-grid tents and yurts. Combine accommodations with high-quality bedding, insulated tenting, and safes for fuel storage. Create tiered experiences (basic, comfort, luxury) and partner with campgrounds or landowners. Build clear safety procedures, guest briefings and short-term occupancy insurance into pricing.
Emergency Prep & Home-Ready Kits
Assemble and sell emergency winter kits for homeowners that include the heater, approved fuel containers, siphon pump, CO detectors, clear setup instructions, and a compact safety barrier. Offer in-person or virtual setup coaching and subscription-based fuel delivery for repeat customers. Target rural and storm-prone areas, and bundle training, certification cards or local permit assistance as premium options.
Creative
Insulated Seedling Bench
Build a small insulated bench or cabinet for indoor seed starting that uses the heater to keep soil temps consistent. Construct a wooden frame with reflective foil insulation and a removable top with trays. Place the heater at a safe distance with a metal screen or deflector to distribute warmth and avoid direct flame exposure. Include a thermostat or thermometer and CO detector to monitor conditions. This extends the growing season and yields stronger seedlings for gardeners.
Decorative Heat Screen
Craft a freestanding decorative metal or fire-resistant plywood screen with cut-out patterns that sit around the heater to direct heat and add ambiance to a patio. The screen can be painted with high-temperature paint and designed to maintain required clearances and airflow. Add wheels for mobility and attach a small shelf for warm drinks. This project turns a utilitarian heater into a stylish outdoor focal point while keeping safety in mind.
Boot & Glove Drying Station
Make a compact drying rack that channels warm air from the heater into multiple compartments for boots, gloves and wet workwear. Use perforated metal ducting and adjustable vents so heat is gentle and even. Include drip trays for melted snow and a thermometer to avoid overheating. Great for hobbyists and families who need a reliable winter gear solution after outdoor projects or hunting trips.
Mobile Fuel & Heater Cart
Build a rugged wheeled cart that carries the heater plus a locked, ventilated cabinet for spare kerosene cans, a siphon pump, and safety gear. Use treated plywood or metal with tie-downs, tool hooks and a fold-out platform for quick setup at job sites or workshops. Design to meet local fuel-transport rules and include signage about ventilation and combustion safety. This makes the heater easier and safer to move for weekend jobs or camping.
Micro Workshop Winterization
Convert a small corner of a garage into a heated micro-workshop: install insulating panels, build a workbench with an enclosed heated lower shelf for keeping hand tools and adhesives at working temperature, and use the heater for quick warmups during projects. Add a timer and gas/CO alarms and maintain clear zones around the heater. Ideal for woodworkers and metalworkers who want to continue projects through cold months.