How to build and run a paraffin greenhouse heater
Parasene Super Warm 7 Greenhouse heater review. 
The first thing to notice with
this product is that it's got an Aladdin burner. I've used a lot of Aladdin
kit and have to say their aftersales service is fantastic. I've even mailed
their US offices by accident and they've still managed to sort my problem
out via the UK office. Things get better as you get the rest on the
components out, all pieces are well made and robust. The fuel base has a
thick powder coated finish and is clearly made to last. The chimney is
galvanized and surprisingly thick. The heater spreader is also galvanized.
Assembly
The burner is screwed into the base making sure to use the gasket supplied.
A word of warning to the heavy handed, the burner is a collection of holes,
too hard a squeeze and it's possible you could damage it. It wouldn't have
much effect on the burner, but you might be a bit upsetting after having
just paid out the best part £50.
Next is the assembly of the chimney and heat spreader, here gentle try to
attach the chimney to the heat spreader clips before frustration gives to a
swift thump and it's together. The top heat spreader can now be attached via
the lugs.
The only areas I would improve are around the chimney, I'd make the heat
spreader at the top a bolt on instead of being clip on. Having said that the
clips work very well and if I ever wack the top with a spade then at least
the top should pop off without the whole thing falling over and spilling
paraffin. On the Super9 the spreader is held in place with lugs. Another
improvement would be to make the viewing window into a slide to make
lighting even easier. I feel a home modification coming on.
The instructions insist on the use of the two stabilser bars, I didn't find
this necessary on the concrete floor of my greenhouse, but when I placed it
into the border I used then with two tent pegs just to be sure.
Lighting
Lighting the burner is nice and easy, remove the chimney and turn the wick
up a little. Replace the chimney and slowly turn down the wick. The flame
should be blue with no yellow tips. The wick should always look round and
level. If it doesn't give it a quick clean by using the rotary cleaner
included with the burner. This is where it would be great if the viewing
window would slide up enough to get a match to the burner, it does look like
a quick snip with a pair of wire cutters on the top part of the window
holder would do the trick. This would mean the lighting and cleaning would
become a doodle.
Running Cost
The instructions give the burn times of 1ltr of paraffin every 72 hours
which doesn't seem a lot, but if like me you only light the burner at night
and you have it set low then you can stretch a ltr to well over a week maybe
even two. That's the greenhouse heated for less than £1 a week.
I was a little disappointed that a funnel for fill wasn't included, but a
small plastic bottle with the bottom removed does the job or if you're rich
a £1 funnel from any DIY shop will quickly address the problem.
Performance
Well how does it perform, it's been in my greenhouse for a few weeks now. I
found the heat output was a little low to start with and I had to turn the
burner up a little high than I had hoped, but then I hadn't finished fitting
the insulation. Now that I have finished fitting the insulation and a heat
curtain across the doorway I'm happy to report the burner is perfect for my
6x8 and I've not been using it every night. When I have had to use it I've
had it turned down very low. One thing that will cut down on you heating
needs is fitting heat curtains so that when you open the door all the heat
doesn't get blown out. I've found that my fleece is doing a good job at
this, but make sure nothing can brush against heater or the house could get
very hot and very damaged.
Endnote
One of the reasons for writing this review was that I had a
friend that claimed that they couldn't get used to theirs. Having used
paraffin burners for way too many years I laughed and thought I'd throw
together this review. Since starting to write this review I have managed to
cover my greenhouse in black soot. I've noticed that this burner is even
better than the old ones I used to use. Once the top of the burner becomes
hot the paraffin gives a clean burn and produces more heat. If you start off
with a low setting then sometime the burner can warm up and flare. To over
come this drop a small amount of paraffin on the to wick when it is full
extended.
Then
light the burner and place on the chimney reducing the wick once it's
securely in place. The burner if turned down low will now make a pop pop
popping sound.
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