Fuel for Dickenson Heater

[jongleur]

I've tried wood, Presto logs, and
Sterno. Drawbacks to all of them.

The Sterno I liked, because it's
easy to store and clean burning,
but it doesn't put out much heat.
Is there a larger Sterno type fuel?

What do others with a Dickenson
solid fuel cabin heater burn in theirs?

[Celestialsailor]

Most successful Dickenson heaters are diesel. You are in Central Ca. What do you need a heater for?

[jongleur]

The boat is in Washington.

[wrwakefield]

Originally Posted by jongleur

I've tried wood, Presto logs, and
Sterno. Drawbacks to all of them.

The Sterno I liked, because it's
easy to store and clean burning,
but it doesn't put out much heat.
Is there a larger Sterno type fuel?

What do others with a Dickenson
solid fuel cabin heater burn in theirs?

Hi Bill,

I had a Dickenson solid fuel heater inline with my diesel drip heater on another boat years ago.

To take the chill off in the morning, any of the self lighting logs [e.g., Presto, etc.] did the trick. I sawed them into ~3" lengths.

For longer fires that require less tending, find a source that makes the ~2" diameter compressed logs that are dense like wood pellets. They won't self light, so you need to get a fire going before adding a chunk of these highly compressed logs (big wood pellets really...) that will burn the longest, but you will never get an overnight fire in a firebox that size...

You might even buy a bag of wood pellets for pellet stoves. [They look like rabbit feed pellets...] Typically you need a small, sturdy perforated metal basket to hold the pellets in the stove so they burn slowly and don't roll out when you open the door to feed more fuel...

You can likely buy all of the above in WA at any home box store [e.g., Lowes, etc.]

Best wishes keeping the chill off.

Cheers!

Bill

PS: Some even burn coal in those stoves, but you need a source for good clean coal. Search this forum for past discussions on using coal if you are interested in learning more......

[Ungvar]

Wood pellets work, there is an insert you can buy. They are cheap, hot and relatively clean.

[jongleur]

I thought of pellets, but I couldn't
figure out the technique. I'd like
to see the basket insert.

[rubbywilliams]

pellets, fuel or diesel don't be panic just pick up what is cheap and reliable.