Kerosene has no additives like diesel as it's made from a distilling process. Kerosene burns hotter than diesel due to its purity from the distillation process. Diesel and kerosene have different ignition temperatures. The fuel whose ignition temperature is lowest will ignite first. Kerosene has an auto-ignition temperature of 428°F, while diesel has an auto-ignition temperature of 410 °F. The term "autoignition temperature" refers to the temperature at which the fuel will burn hotly on its own without an outside source of ignition.