About time you got a response
I've learned a few things about my kerosene lamps,heaters or stoves. When they flicker or smoke or are hard to get going it usually comes down to the wick needing attention. They occasionally need to be trimmed down and evened out, they can get pretty fowled and sooty. Easy way to clean the wick is to bring the unit out side and let it use up the remaining kerosene and burn itself out. This will help it burn cleaner.
If the fuel is old or possibly polluted with water or rust that can cause it to smoke or not even operate to it's potential. Some kerosene's are hotter than others too.
I'd trim the wick all the way around evenly, and do a dry burn, then put some fresh good quality kerosene in it and fire it up. Should help a lot! Billy
