Dickinson Newport Heater Hard to Light

[unbusted67]

I have a Dickinson Newport Diesel heater that is a pain in the neck to light. It certainly can't be done with just a lighter. I have taken to using a propane blowtorch to get the thing going. I know diesel doesn't ignite easily but this seems ridiculous. What am I doing wrong?

[paralog]

Originally Posted by unbusted67

I have a Dickinson Newport Diesel heater that is a pain in the neck to light. It certainly can't be done with just a lighter. I have taken to using a propane blowtorch to get the thing going. I know diesel doesn't ignite easily but this seems ridiculous. What am I doing wrong?

You have to preheat it with alcohol or methyl hydrate. Pour about two large tablespoons in the heater. light with a small piece of tissue. The diesel will then light after it burns for a couple of minutes.

[dickinsontech]

Lighting Procedure

1. Turn on the fuel pump or open the gravity feed valve to allow fuel to
flow into the oil metering valve on the heater.
2. Open the door or open the lid and twist the superheater so the bottom
makes a good contact with the bottom of the burner.
3. Lift and turn the oil metering valve knob on to setting #5 for 2
minutes to accumulate 2 tablespoons of oil in the bottom of the burner
pot.
4. Then turn the oil metering valve OFF.
5. Twist a piece of tissue, light it and throw it into the pool of oil in the
burner pot. Use a poking tool to push the lit paper into the pool of oil.
6. Once the oil has ignited, replace the lid or close the door.
7. Turn the draft assist fan on to the medium speed (6 o’clock) then turn
it back down to the slowest speed (4 o’clock).
8. After a few minutes, watch the flames grow above the top burner ring
where they should burn at all times.
9. It will take approx. 5-10 minutes for the priming fuel to burn. Once
the flames drop back down into the burner pot it’s time to turn the oil
metering valve back on.
10. Lift and turn the oil metering valve knob to setting #2.5 and turn the
fan OFF and watch the flames grow back to above the top burner ring.
11. Wait 20 minutes for the heater and chimney pipe to warm up before

you adjust the valve further.

[Rick]

I use one of those 20 inch flexible "grabbers" where you push with your thumb to extend 4 fingers at the end. Releasing holds whatever you put in. Twist a relatively small piece of paper towel into a 2-3 inch cylinder putting one end in the grabber. Light the end and put it into the oil and release it, clean and easy!

[James S]

Welcome to the forum dickinsontech.

[GordMay]

Greetings and welcome aboard the CF, dickinsontech.

Thanks for providing the instructions.

[Ironhorse74]

I use pellet stove gel starter in mine. Works like a charm. Availabl;e in any fireplace shop. Fire starter gell |wood pellets, wood pellet stove ignitor! Wood pellet fuel forest friendly products - Forest Energy. does not have to be this brand. Any of them will work.

[yuginot]

Hello, I had the same problem as compared to lighting our Bristol stove from above (much easier). Now, with the Newport, I use a paper towel piece to wick up the diesel pool at the bottom when I have just cleaned the burner can. Then run the fan until the flame goes back down into the can as the excess diesel is burnt off. After the can gets dirtier, the crust on the bottom becomes the wick now. I use a flexible BBQ lighter through the door with the inner burner cage lifted out while lighting, then after the wick crust lights put back the cage, close the door, run the fan until excess diesel is gone. This works well for us in ME. I would like to try the water coil sometime with plumbing around the interior to see how well it help distributes the heat. Also the stove creates a much drier heat the did our other ways of warmth. Take Care...Guy

[unbusted67]

Originally Posted by yuginot

Hello, I had the same problem as compared to lighting our Bristol stove from above (much easier). Now, with the Newport, I use a paper towel piece to wick up the diesel pool at the bottom when I have just cleaned the burner can. Then run the fan until the flame goes back down into the can as the excess diesel is burnt off. After the can gets dirtier, the crust on the bottom becomes the wick now. I use a flexible BBQ lighter through the door with the inner burner cage lifted out while lighting, then after the wick crust lights put back the cage, close the door, run the fan until excess diesel is gone. This works well for us in ME. I would like to try the water coil sometime with plumbing around the interior to see how well it help distributes the heat. Also the stove creates a much drier heat the did our other ways of warmth. Take Care...Guy

Yup that's what we've come to do. Our initial problem was that the bowl was too clean. Now that we have built up some shmvuts, our nickname for creosote or anything else that makes a mess, she lights real easy,