Parafin heater

[glow777]

Just been given a paraffin heater and I am considering using it on one of my 6x8 greenhouses just to keep frosts away (running out of windowsill space!)

the heater is the two burner type with two wicks in each similar to the ones in focus/wickes and it says suitable for g/houses up to 6*8

can anyone give me a rough guide to how much running costs would be at the moment i dont even know how much paraffin costs

scarily after a google I think its a

Parasene Superwarm 5 double burner greenhouse heater
Up to 5 sq. mtrs eg. 6'x8'
3.5 days on one filling of 4.5 ltrs tank.


sounds costly to me - do i light all the wicks

[glow777]

[Gillysdad]

I'm not keen on this flat wick type of heater, they do tend to smell a bit when lit. However they are quite economical. Daytime temperatures have been good lately which means they can be turned off during the day. (if you can get to the lottie). Our allotment shop here in Saltwell (Gateshead) sells paraffin at £2-50 for 5ltrs which I reckon is pretty good. One word of warning though, always keep the wick clean and trimmed, and never overfill the heater (I know that was two) Cheers. ;D

[mellor]

do you know if you can use the above heater in a polytunnel?

Cheers

[Big Al]

£2.50 for 5lts WOW that's cheap it's £3.00 for 4lts at our allotment shop
mind you it's  still cheaper than B&Q which is nearly £5 for 4 lts.

Alan

[Gillysdad]

do you know if you can use the above heater in a polytunnel?

Cheers

Most certainly, I find a polytunnel ideal for plants that don't like the heat in my greenhouse, and you can protect them from frost with a paraffin heater when necessary ( and a covering of fleece) just to be sure.
        One disadvantage is the amount of condensation produced, I have to ventilate my polytunnel by leaving a door open during the day. Otherwise its great. ;)

[Marymary]

I got an identical one Glow, a few weeks ago.  My greenhouse is 10x8 & at first I was lighting the four burners every night & filling up with parafin every other night, since then I have built a sort of tent in the middle which I put the heater in & only light one of the four wicks & I seem to be achieving about 10 degrees & a tank is lasting almost a week.

[Gillysdad]

That's the way to do it, a bit of trial and error. Then find out what suits your needs the best. ;D