DeWalt Heavy Duty 215,000 BTU Forced Air Kerosene Outdoor Space Heater

What it is and who it’s for

The DeWalt 215K heater is a high-output, forced‑air, multi‑fuel torpedo heater intended for outdoor or well‑ventilated jobsites. Rated at 215,000 BTU/hr with an advertised coverage up to about 6,500 sq. ft., it’s built for moving a lot of warm air quickly—think open warehouses, framed structures, equipment yards, loading docks, or thawing machinery. It’s not for enclosed, occupied spaces and it absolutely requires ventilation. If you’ve used torpedo heaters before, this one follows the same playbook but adds a few thoughtful touches and serious output.

Setup, build, and portability

Out of the box, assembly is straightforward: wheel kit, axle, handle, and you’re rolling. At roughly 77 lb, it’s no featherweight, but the 10-inch flat‑free tires and roll‑cage handles make it manageable across rough concrete and frozen ground. The recessed controls and barrel support do a good job resisting jobsite bumps, and the small storage nook up front is handy for gloves and spare parts. The steel housing feels robust, and the overall stance is stable enough that it doesn’t feel tippy when you’re tugging it around by the handle.

You’ll need power for the fan and ignition. Cable management matters—use a proper outdoor extension cord sized for the load and length to avoid voltage drop that can lead to weak ignition and nuisance shutdowns.

Heat output and coverage

“Brute force” heating is the name of the game here. On full tilt, the heater moves a strong, consistent stream of hot air that can take a chill off a large, drafty space quickly. In my testing inside a shell building with open bays and 25°F ambient, it started pushing usable warmth within two minutes and noticeably raised working temperatures in the occupied zone inside of 10–15 minutes. It’s not going to make a 6,500‑sq‑ft uninsulated barn feel like your living room, but it will create a significant warm envelope where people are working.

Noise is about what you’d expect for a torpedo heater: comparable to a loud shop vac. Communication on site happens in raised voices, and hearing protection is a good idea for prolonged use.

Fuel flexibility and runtime

Multi‑fuel compatibility is one of the selling points. I ran primarily on K‑1 kerosene and #1 diesel. Kerosene burns a bit cleaner with less odor; #1 diesel is fine but expect a stronger exhaust smell, especially on startups and when it cycles. It will also run on #2 diesel/fuel oil and even Jet A/JP‑8 if that’s what your operation stocks, but stick to clean, fresh fuel and a dedicated, filtered can.

Fuel use is in line with the spec sheet. At full output, figure on roughly 2.3 gallons per hour. With the 14‑gallon tank, that’s about six hours of continuous operation. Using the built‑in thermostat to cycle the burner, I averaged closer to a workday on moderate winter days. If you need all‑day heat at full blast, plan your refueling accordingly.

A note from real‑world use: keep the tank above roughly a third. Running it down low can coincide with rougher combustion and occasional smoke, especially in wind or with marginal fuel. Topping off during breaks kept performance stable.

Controls and thermostat

The control panel is simple and protected, and the thermostat range (25°F–95°F) is wide enough to keep a big space livable without overheating. The electronic ignition is continuous and the flame is monitored by a photo cad cell. In practice, warm‑up to steady burn is quick. The heater does a good job of cycling to maintain a set temperature without constant babysitting, which saves fuel and reduces odors during operation.

Two heat settings offer a coarse way to match output to space size. It’s not a variable‑speed system, but between the two stages and the thermostat cycling, dialing in workable comfort is straightforward.

Safety, emissions, and ventilation

This is a combustion heater: it produces exhaust and consumes oxygen. Use it outdoors or in very well‑ventilated structures with plenty of makeup air. I kept a CO monitor nearby and never push these units without cross‑ventilation. The heater includes the expected safety features—a flame sensor and high‑temperature shut‑off. Keep combustibles clear of the hot barrel and direct the airstream so it’s not blasting directly at tarps or plastic.

Maintenance and reliability

Torpedo heaters live or die by clean fuel, intact hoses, correct air pressure, and a clean photocell. I put the DeWalt 215K on a preventative schedule:

• Filter and nozzle inspection/cleaning at the start of the season
• Photocell lens wiped when I saw any sooting
• Periodic check of pump air pressure per the manual (using a gauge on the port)
• Fuel tank drained and run dry before off‑season storage; cap vent closed when stored
• Hoses and grommets inspected for hardening or cracking

With that baseline, reliability was good overall, but not flawless. I had a couple of nuisance shutdowns tied to a sooted photocell and one reluctant start in sub‑zero weather on #2 diesel that cleared up after switching back to K‑1. The continuous ignition and flame sensor do their job—when combustion isn’t ideal, the heater will shut down rather than run dirty.

One gripe: there’s no onboard air gauge, so you’ll want a compatible low‑pressure gauge to set pump pressure accurately. It’s a small purchase that pays off in cleaner burns and fewer trips back to the heater. Also expect consumables (filters, hoses) to be just that—consumable. Budget time and dollars each season to keep it in top form.

Ergonomics and jobsite behavior

The roll cage and recessed controls are well thought out. I’ve bumped it around in a truck and across rebar grids without damage. The flat‑free tires are the right choice for cold weather; no topping off air on frigid mornings. That said, at 77 lb plus fuel, it’s a two‑hand pull up ramps. The built‑in glove/parts cubby is a nice touch; I stash a spare spark module, photocell, and filters there.

Odor is present—less on kerosene, more on diesel. If odor is a deal‑breaker for the crew, stick to K‑1, ventilate aggressively, and aim the exhaust away from work zones. For finishing work with sensitive coatings, I schedule heat early and let the space flush before materials come out.

Where it fits (and where it doesn’t)

• Best for: Large, drafty spaces; partially enclosed builds; equipment thawing; loading areas; disaster response warming; concrete curing with proper ventilation.
• Not for: Enclosed residential interiors, occupied small shops without ventilation, or anyone expecting silent, odor‑free heat.

Pros

• Strong 215K BTU output heats big, open spaces quickly
• Thermostat control reduces fuel burn and micromanagement
• Multi‑fuel flexibility when kerosene isn’t practical
• Solid, jobsite‑friendly build with roll cage and flat‑free tires
• Safety systems (flame sensor, high‑temp shutoff) work as intended
• CSA certification and a straightforward 1‑year warranty

Cons

• Loud and produces odor (inherent to the class)
• No onboard air pressure gauge; setup and tuning are on you
• Sensitive to fuel quality and maintenance; let it get dirty and it will complain
• Can smoke or stumble when run very low on fuel or with marginal diesel in the cold
• Heavy when full; ramps and stairs are a chore

Recommendation

I recommend the DeWalt 215K heater for pros who need serious, portable heat in large, ventilated spaces and who are willing to stay on top of basic maintenance. It delivers strong output, sensible controls, and jobsite‑ready durability. If you feed it clean fuel, keep the air side in spec, and respect its ventilation needs, it’s a reliable workhorse. If you want push‑button, maintenance‑free heat for enclosed areas, this is the wrong category altogether—look at electric or properly vented systems. But for moving a lot of warm air quickly on a cold, open jobsite, this heater earns its keep.