Much is discussed about the modern fuel and the way that it burns, or perhaps it is the amount of carbon that leaves behind that causes the fuss....

Either way, it is a widely used product, pre-dominantly in the heating and aviation industries

Here are a few facts that you might not know:

1. Kero is made from crude oil, using the process is known as ‘fractional distillation’ and leaves a clear and thin oil which is roughly 0.81 g/cm³ (gram per cubic centimetre) in density. The actual density of kerosene is 0.82 g/cm³ and 0.8 g/cm³ for paraffin. However, because the two oils are practically exact matches, it’s best to find a happy medium and 0.81 g/cm³ is that figure. (Kero is used in the UK, and almost impossible to buy in Europe).

2. The first known production was by a Persian, and then more frequently by the Chinese in the Ming dynasty - so it has been around for a long time. It was most commonly used for lamps, lighting and heating houses. However it was in the 1850s that the patent for production was first registered, by a Scottish chemist, James Young. Around the globe, it is estimated that we use about 20b gallons per year.

3. Kero is a great cleaner of oily things (like bicycle chains). It is also used for human "Fire Breathing" displays and other theatrical stunts. It is also the mainstay of the aviation business, RP1 (often called Avgas)

4. When kero is burnt, the temperature in the burner warms the kero, which causes the hydrocarbon to split. The carbon builds up on the burner base and local tubing, thus reducing the fuel flow and eventually cutting it off completely. The vapour is what we burn with a lovely blue flame.

5. The quality of the fuel is often blamed for poor messy burns. Yes the sulphur was taken out, but that in itself is not the issue - it is the process by which this is done which affects the quality. In addition to that, the specification of the fuel was widened in the early 2000s.

6. There is one metric widely used which is the CHAR factor. This is the amount of carbon produced when burnt. Typically (in the 2000s) this would be between 4-6mg/kg. An aga will struggle when this number gets to about 10-12mg/kg. The specification is set with a limit of 20mg/kg. So you can see how easy it is for manufacturers to produce a product that is "poor quality" for us users. Today it is reckoned that the average is about 15mg/kg. HENCE the reduced servicing periods down from 12 months plus to about 4-6 months.

7. As a result, ADDITIVES have become a 'thing' - but more on this topic as a separate issue.

The easiest way to clean out the carbon from the burner is using a drill bit or indeed a Burr. If you have a drill, be it battery or electric, you are ready to go. The very small drills will do the job, but will take longer.

To make it really easy, get the correct size of drill bit and it will reduce the time on task, and make it easier for you. It will also reduce the chance of damage to the burner, and make breaking the drill bit less likely.

Remember, the more carbon removed, the longer the time before you need to do it again....

There are two Golden Rules when running or perhaps I should say, setting up a Burner. With these simple and easily checked rules in place you can then move on to consider other issues when trying to solve a problem.

1. The depth of oil in the burner should be 5-6mm. 

    This is measured where the wicks fit, in the trenches. The burner itself should be level, not the plate that it is mounted to. Then measure the oil level after about 15 minutes.

2. The Flow Rates.

    There are 2 types of Oil Controller, one with a grey knob on it and the vast majority without. All of them operate on two flow rates, on Tickover or LOW, it should be 4mL per minute. Then on HIGH it should be 8mL per minute. 

Whilst every site is very slightly different, you can fine tune the set up to ensure that the burner works with a lovely blue flame, so there is no sooting up - and the burner works efficiently.

Don't forget that once done, they won't change unless you change something - so this is a once only bit of work.

If you need more detailed explanation or would like more help or guidance, or to purchase the Technical Support package, we can then forward the detailed instructions for you to follow.

This is the part that most people watch an engineer carry out, and think "it's not difficult" - and we agree!! Like any job, there are better ways of doing things and then there is the plain idle or poor way. Too often we get invited into service an Aga when someone has done it poorly, and simply doesn't understand how or why it works. 

For this reason we wrote the Service Instructions. 

Learn the correct way and the cash investment will pay for itself within a year!! 

No complicated or specialist tools required, just a little valuable knowledge. Our principle is simple - "Do the job properly - ONCE".