Kerosene and gasoline are both petroleum-based liquids made for burning and fuel. Kerosene is commonly used in heaters or similar items, while gasoline is common in cars or products with an engine, such as lawnmowers. If you can't tell which fuel is which, testing is necessary to determine whether it is kerosene or gasoline. This is important because burning gasoline in a kerosene heater can result in an explosion.
Smell the two fuels if you have some of each. One of the easiest ways to tell between kerosene and gasoline is by smell. Gasoline has a stronger scent than kerosene. Scent alone is not enough to distinguish between them, but it can result in a tentative answer.
Pour a small amount of the fuel into a cup. Set it outside in a well ventilated area and wait about an hour. Check on it and see whether it is starting to evaporate or evaporated or is still in the cup. Gasoline evaporates at low temperatures and will evaporate into the air much faster than kerosene, which requires heat to evaporate. Either way, it should be placed in a well ventilated area because the fumes from gasoline are flammable.
Pour a few drops of the liquid into a cup. Set the cup outside on a cement sidewalk or driveway. Light a match and drop it into the cup. Observe whether the liquid ignites or does not. Gasoline will go up in flame immediately, but kerosene will not. Take care to avoid using too much as it is potentially dangerous.
