Do you have to do anything to switch from running K-1 to Jet-A besides emptying all of the tanks? What is the difference between the two?

Jet A has a number of additives for anti-corrosion, lowering the freezing temp, and a few other things. No need to empty the tanks, just fill them with what you have. Jet A, Jet A1, JP-8, JP-8-100, K-1, K-2, etc. are all pretty much the same except for the additive package. K-2 has a higher sulfur content, some also say more impurities but I doubt you'd see it in the filters. JP-4/Jet B is more naptha/gasoline than kerosene. JP-5 is slightly higher density than Jet A/JP-8 but can still be used. Some kero will have red dye in it but that's no problem.

I believe there were several other threads about this here on RCU if you decide to do more research.

Thank you very much!

Kerosene is up to over $20 for 5 gallons here (over $4 per gallon). Jet-a is $2.69 per gallon and if there is no real difference then I will make the switch to save some money. I fly quite a bit, 5 gallons does not last very long!

Might look for a local bulk oil/fuel dealer that handles racing fuel, solvents, kerosene, & lubricants. May be able to get your containers filled cheaper. These places sell lots of kerosene for space heaters during the colder months.

PS: Jet A smells lots worse than K-1.

Kenny,

I burn Jet-A also. The only bad thing about Jet-A is that it smells terrible!!! You will go home smelling like Jet-A---If you spill it inside of your vehicle it will smell for a looooong time. Be sure to completely seal off your overflow vent on your plane before you travel.

Kevin

PS----I can buy kerosene pretty cheap at my local gas stations but I won't buy it there. When I owned a kerosene heater I filled up a container at a gas station. Water had contaminated the kero that I purchased from the gas station. Since kerosene is not purchsed as much as gasoline I think that the kerosene was neglected and old.

Kevin

I have heard this but have never experienced the Jet-A smell. I will try to find it in bulk somewhere before I go to Jet-A, but I really miss the summer pricing of k-1. $10 per 5 gallons.

Given neither one smells that great, I'd rather spill Kerosene in my car as apposed to Jet A any day.

Kelly W

not considering the pricing issue...is it better to use Jet A1 over pure clean kero due to all the additives they have for protection? I have options of using both...but currently I use pure white kero.

The K-1 I buy at the bulk dealer pumps it out of 55 gal drums. In the summer I burn most of what he sells. In the winter, he sells a whole lot more to the space heater people. Never a problem.

Jet A has an oilier feel to it as it evaporates off your fingers than K-1, whatever that may mean. The additives are not that great of a percentage, however. I don't know of anybody who has seen a noticable difference if the fuel comes from a known good source.

"I like smell of burned JET A 1 early in the morning"



P.anderson

That's important... Burned Jet-A1 smells great, while it stinks in any other form....