Sengoku Indoor & Outdoor Kerosene Heater, 10,000 BTU, Portable Use, White - Cordless Heater for Home, Garage, Basement, and Camping

I just started the 4th year of use with my KeroHeat CTN-110 and I couldn't be happier with it. I use it as the primary heat source in my one bedroom apartment. When I buy anything, I typically research as much as possible before making a decision, and I think I chose perfectly this time. I looked into small wood stoves, window pellet heaters and anything else I could think of. After I researched all the possibilities, I decided I would try a kerosene heater. I had some doubts because I heard a few negatives about using kerosene heaters, but I've since come to learn that if used properly, there isn't really anything to worry about. I had heard they were dangerous, but research showed that electric heaters proved to be far more dangerous statistically. Yes, kerosene heaters can be dangerous, just like any heater, woodstove, pellet stove or fire place can be dangerous if not used safely. But if used properly, kerosene heaters can be safer than other heaters, especially electric space heaters. Another negative I always heard was the smell and possible carbon monoxide. Well, after burning off the initial smell from being new, it hardly ever smells at all other than a little when starting it or turning it off. Mine can heat continuously for up to 13 hours depending on wick setting without any noticeable odor. And as far as carbon monoxide, I think it's always a good idea to have a carbon monoxide detector just in case, but mine always reads zero when my heater is in use. I can leave it on all night without worrying about a wire sparking or shorting out like a space heater could possibly do, or an ember from a fire place popping out on to the carpet or wood floor. I just love it. I almost bought the 23,000 BTU model, but I saw from a lot of reviews that they use a lot more fuel. The CTN-110 is a 10,000 BTU unit and to me, it seems like more, and it sips kerosene. I often have to turn it off or crack a window on cold nights because it gets to hot in my apartment. I turn the unit off when I go to work and turn it on when I get home and it heats my apartment fast. If it's freezing outside, I may close the bedroom door or block the kitchen doorway with a curtain for a half hour or so just until the rest of the apt heats up, but it'll go from very cold to very comfortable in 15 - 20 minutes and I have to open up the bedroom and kitchen. Like I said, I did a lot of research before deciding on my kerosene heater. I learned that kerosene heaters are the main heat source for homes in Japan, and besides wood, kerosene heaters were the main heat source here in the USA before electricity. The "Perfection Kerosene Heater & Stove Company" was huge 100 years ago and there are many "Perfection" Kerosene heaters around today and still in great working condition. I'm sure a lot of people who are considering a kerosene heater have some of the same concerns I had, well I'm one person who has been won over. When I decided to purchase a kerosene heater, the next question was which one ? Well, after a lot of research, I decided on the KeroHeat CTN-110. If I remember correctly, there were 3 or 4 different brands that all looked very similar, but after reaching them, I found out that they were not all alike. The CTN-110 was by far the best reviewed. The only thing that I don't like is that I have to fill the fuel tank once every day or two during the coldest days of winter. But it's not a big deal, the tank comes right out and it takes about 2 minutes to walk outside and fill it. I actually look forward to using it on those freezing nights, and I think my cat loves it even more than I do. She is an indoor/ outdoor cat who comes and goes as she pleases, but she hates the cold. She will come in from the cold and stare at the heater from about 2 feet away. After a few minutes, she is stretched and sprawled out on the floor in front of the heater just soaking up that heat from the floor. She will gradually move further away from the heater through the night because it gets so warm and I always have it on the lowest wick setting. If I get up during the night to use the facilities or turn the heater off because its to warm, my cat is laying on the floor in the kitchen as far away from the heater as possible. The only thing I really worry about when it comes to my kerosene heater, is if a guest knocks it over. But that has never happened and it does have a safety turn off switch if it does get knocked over. I just make sure any guest's realize that there is a kerosene heater in the corner, but it's never really been an issue. If I have a party or something, I wouldn't use it. Bottom line - It's a great heater and pretty cheap to operate. I think I paid about $110.00 for the heater and I estimate it cost's me about $80 - $100 per month to heat my place. I will occasionally run my furnace but I'd say I use my CTN-110 as my primary heat source 90% of the time. I love it.

You don't see many of these heaters anymore these days. I grew up with three Aladdins in my family. Two still work after 32 yrs at my parents place. But no stoves or parts are made anymore. It's really a shame.In my home, I used a small Enviroheat 11000BTU kerosene heater. A combination of the hand crank and impossible wick replacement finally lead it to the junk heap. And this is the only modern "floor model" kerosene stove I've seen. You'll find three different manufacturers all put their name on this same model stove. Sengoku is actually the original maker....all other just import it and put their brand sticker on it.When you first fill up the cartridge tank, you will notice a dark oil already inside there. This is normal and mixes with kerosene fine. I assume it's just something to keep the tank from drawing in moisture as it sits for long periods.Be sure to let the first full cartridge tank set for about an hour. This lets the wick soak up the kerosene fully and evenly for the first time. The igniting method is just great. I've used the round crank on older heaters all my life. This simple "lever" style igniter is just great. Push the slider all the way down, you'll hear a buzz and see the stove ignite. Then simply let go. The slider will return the the "high" position. A slight push up and the flame will go 1/4" down to the "low" position.It puts out quite a lot of heat. Moreso than my previous 11000 BTU I think. But now this leads me to the only "drawback" of this stove. If you've had experience with kerosene heaters, you'll know that some have a blower built in. Other models like the Alladin could be outfitted with an external blower attatched to the top of the stove. The Sengoku doesn't come with any internal blower. I had planned on using one such external blower on it. But just below the top "shelf" of the heater, just above the lamp, there's some kind of metal (carbon?) plate. This plate dampens most of the heat going to the top of the heater.Now, on one hand this is good. Keeps all the heat coming from the front of the heater. And while the top is still hot,it won't melt your skin off if you touch it like older heaters would. But the major drawback is an external blower, putting a fan behind the unit, or anything else like that has little effect. But nowhere does the manufacturer say that you should put accessories or blowers on their unit. Nor do they claim to have an internal blower. So this "drawback" is more about my general expectations than a fault of the product itself.The backside of the heater is cool. The sides are even touchable, although the front edge of the sides are a little warm. But from the handles back, you're cool to the touch. I would be careful not to put this in a "tight" place. At least leave a little room on the sides. It really just begs to be pushed up against the wall and between your furniture b/c it's only about as wide as a surround sound receiver. But do be careful with your placement.It has a manufacturer's warranty and contact information card is the first thing you see when you open the box. Every part number is found inside the manual. I know Ace carries the wick for this heater b/c they sell this heater with a different brand name for 20 bucks more. I'm not sure how the part numbers match up, but they definitely have it. Search Ace's website for kerosene heaters and you'll see this one.The manual also has very detailed info on wick maintenance so please read it. It needs to be done with every new wick at least a few times, or you'll have to change it every season. So far I'm very pleased with it's performance and price.Update 2019: Most owners of this probably know what a jammed up wick is like. Using pliers and screwdrivers to coax the wick up and back down again. So, I wanted to put in an update here about the wick maintenance. You will come to a point where the wick will not lower down anymore. Usually this is because of carbon buildup. It needs to be burned off a couple times a season at least. Doing this once a month should keep it slippery smooth. But at least do it when you start to feel resistance in raising the wick.Run the tank completely dry, and ya it will stink a bit. You need to take the heater outside or somewhere well ventilated. Take the lamp off and relight the wick. This will prolly produce black smoke but let it burn until it goes out. Wait about a half hour and do it again. The black smoke should last less and less everytime you do it. Repeat this, and eventually you will come to a time it will no longer light. Then take some needlenose pliers and squish the wick. This will break up any leftover carbon still there. You can even do the squishing between burns.Anyway, this makes more of a difference than you might think. And using a screwdriver to raise it is dangerous and silly. The wick holder that's held on with four wing nuts is actually two pieces put together with a felt seal. Being to forceful will pull the pieces apart and expose the seal. Not that I've actually got mad enough one time time to tear the pieces apart with a screwdriver or anything >.>.