Valor 104 kerosene heater - wick size, heat output and other questions

Discussion in 'Stove Forum' started by Kjemmo, Dec 11, 2018.

  1. Kjemmo Denmark

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    Hi All.

    This is my first post and I hope to get some help and a new (old) kerosene stove.

    I have a Valor model 104 on my hand but I am unsure about several things and would appreciate any help to answer these questions before I buy it. I will need it send to me, so I can not inspect it first.

    I have figured out that is use a #22 valor wick. (source milesstair.com). Do anyone know the diameter of this wick as it will indicate the heat output?

    Do anyone know the heat output in watts or BTUs

    I have not been able to find images or videos of this model actually burning. Can anyone confirm that it burns a "blue flame" and not a yellow one?

    Any other information or first hand experiences will be appreciated.

    Thanks

    [​IMG]

    sdf
     
  2. Simes

    Simes R.I.P.

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    Don"t know the Kw rating but with it working properly it'll have a nice blue flame.

    Just make sure the wick is trimmed neatly, you can get tools to do it.
     
  3. cmb56

    cmb56 Sweden Subscriber

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  4. Simes

    Simes R.I.P.

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  5. Miarobi United States

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    Why are you considering such an old heater model?
    I think that the modern models of ceramic heaters are more powerful. It is also worth paying attention to the issue of fire safety. Newer models are safer. If the question is price, then in this case, you can also find a cheap model with good characteristics. One only has to read a few reviews and choose the heater that suits the price and area of the heated room.
     
  6. Ed Winskill

    Ed Winskill United States Subscriber

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    Why do we consider classic stoves? They are such old models!
     
  7. Simes

    Simes R.I.P.

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    @Miarobi I think you may have missed the whole raison d'etre of the forum. (spelling apologies)

    Yes there are far more efficient heaters out there, but we are trashing at an inordinate rate the history of our parents and grandparents. I hope you can appreciate what industry allowed your family to improve themselves in the past 150 years.

    That's what we are about, albeit principally the stoves that allowed people to cook hot food without burning wood in the late 1800's but also giving people access to the wider countryside.

    The other domestic paraffin burning appliances regular feature, and the old heaters are still good for what they were originally designed for, and can be easily maintained.

    If you're after product placement then your efforts should be directed elsewhere I feel.
     
  8. Miarobi United States

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    No, I respect history and thank my ancestors for perfecting their inventions. But modernization never stops. We can honor and look at old things in museums, but to use old things in the presence of newer, more convenient and safe seems to me a little strange, sorry.
     
  9. Ray123

    Ray123 Subscriber

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    Welcome to CCS Miarobi.

    There are some advantages for the older kerosene wick heaters. Number one of course is that they are portable and do not require electricity so can be used off grid in cabins or sheds or in hard to heat areas of the home. They provide a nice steady comfortable heat output and if you can find reasonably priced kerosene can be cheaper to run than electrics. The small Valor pictured above is probably the equivalent of 2 small electrics and runs perfectly silent. Once you experience the warm glow of a kero heater it will be hard to find fault with these older appliances.

    Ray
     
  10. Ed Winskill

    Ed Winskill United States Subscriber

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    Not the least strange, sorry. That's why we are here at Classic Camp Stoves; I use old classics on the trail every time I go out.
     
  11. Simes

    Simes R.I.P.

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    That's impressive Ed, will look forward to seeing a Valor heater in your next trail tale. :D

    With regards to safety I'm not sure I would be comfortable with sitting a pot of tea on a modern electric heater to keep it hot. Water and electrics really don't mix in that scenario.
     
  12. Miarobi United States

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  13. Miarobi United States

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    Ok, thanks for your answers!
    I saw the name of the forum and just wanted to understand why you really love it.

    I found this forum when I was looking for information about kerosene heaters. I read reviews of modern models, a bunch of discussions on other forums about modern models ... And here I came across an admiration for old models. Of course, I was surprised and I had questions. Why I can't ask you?
     
  14. ArchMc

    ArchMc SotM Winner Subscriber

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    Of course you can ask us. I think we just misunderstood the tone of your questions.

    I use stoves from the '60s and '70s because I'm familiar with them and comfortable using them. I use older stoves for the history they encompass and often just for the satisfaction of using a well-built piece of equipment.

    ....Arch
     
  15. Simes

    Simes R.I.P.

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    Hi @Miarobi, as Arch said above I think we misunderstood your questions a little.

    I'm pretty sure given the overall knowledge of the members here that I would guess everyone is aware of the currently available kerosene heaters, and the prices being asked for some of them. If I could justify the cost I think I would certainly be tempted by some of the models out there.

    I'm fully aware that kerosene in some parts of the world is still the principle source of fuel for heating, lighting and cooking. In which case you would certainly be looking for something a bit more efficient than older models.

    Another thing to bear ine mind in a diminishing market for the technology is the lack of investment in further improvements for ordinary domestic appliances.

    For the time being an old Valor heater does the job of keeping my small workshop area above freezing. :)

    And thankfully there are still sources for most of the spares for them.
     
  16. Doc Mark

    Doc Mark SotM Winner Subscriber

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    Hi, @Miarobi ,

    My wife and I have been using kerosene heaters for many, many years, and have found them safe, easy to use, and once you get used to them, an attractive alternative, when the power goes out! In point of fact, we love power in our small mountain village, week before last, and I retrieved my old Kero-Sun heater, filled it, and fired it up, each night. One filling lasted me 4-5 nights, so far, and the tank is still over half full!! We're saving our firewood, for when it gets really, really cold, when needed. So, we have three kerosene heaters to use in place of using our firewood.

    We've had this one for about 30 years, and only changed the wick once. Here are some photos, to help warm you up:

    1.jpg

    2.jpg

    3.jpg

    That red flame, and it's reflections, is downright mesmerizing, at least to us, AND, it's super warm, and can heat our entire front room, all the way up to it's 22' ceiling!! No need for anything more modern. take care, and God Bless!

    Every Good Wish.
    Doc
     
  17. Afterburner

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    @YOSH told me about POD heaters :clap: and I got one to test it on my summer cottage. It was an excellent apparatus!:thumbup: I truly like it since it gives heat quickly and I use it to heat the cabin on early spring and on autumn. Fireplace takes time to release warmth so POD is just perfect solution for heating before fireplace is warming the room.

    I have two POD heaters; 7K and 8K (and one 7K for spare). 7K heat output is 1300 W and 8K 2100 W. Here is info about those POD heaters: POD Jr - 3k/7k Heater on same site there is a lots of info about other makes&models also.

    @Kjemmo Maybe you Valor is about same size as POD 7K so heat output could be about the same. (I think that wick diameter quite much determinates heat output)
     
  18. Rhubarb

    Rhubarb Subscriber

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    I would think that is a Perfection clone, so in my mind will not have a blue flame like an Aladdin. While not near as active as this forum, there is a forum dedicated to wick heaters at: Welcome to Heatburner.com

    I see you have already mentioned Miles Stair, that website has lots of good information. These heaters are great, I am always looking for nice examples.
     
  19. Scott Reman United Kingdom

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    If the OP is still interested in the heat output. Most of the #22 wick heaters kicked out between 3,500 and 4,000 btu. Not an earth shattering amount, but it's still plenty for heating a livingroom or an averagely ventilated (As in "A bit drafty") one car garage sized workshop.