Bio ethanol vs meths

[Davepr]

Anyone ever used bio ethanol? What's the pros and cons vs meths please gents? Used in trangia burner.

[jus_young]

Yep, been using the Fuel4 bio ethanol to see what it is like.

First thing really is the smell. It is so much better than meths. Secondly, the fumes given off are much safer. Ethanol gives off water vapour and carbon dioxide when burnt as opposed to carbon monoxide from meths, so should be much safer when burning near enclosed spaces. And also you don't get the sooty residue all over the bottom of the pan. Still wouldn't try it inside the tent just yet but I should be using it multiple times over the next few weeks and get a better feel for it.

My son has been using the Fuel4 bio gel as at 11 years old the fluid is just too unpredictable at the moment. You do use a fair bit in comparison to the fluids, and cost is another issue, but safety comes first and I sleep better knowing that he can use the X series stove without any problems.

[Davepr]

Thanks jus-young might give it a try if I can find some local.

[rik_uk3]

Works fine, I use ethanol and methanol.

[saxonaxe]

Works fine, I use ethanol and methanol.

I'd like to give it a try, what do you buy it as Rik? Did I read somewhere it's called Panel wipe, or is there another common product sold as Methanol/Ethanol?

[rik_uk3]

NO, panel wipe is a sort of naptha based fuel used in petrol stoves. I got the methanol off ebay and bio ethanol from B&Q.

[saxonaxe]

NO, panel wipe is a sort of naptha based fuel used in petrol stoves. I got the methanol off ebay and bio ethanol from B&Q.

I had a feeling I had it wrong...http://smileys.on-my-web.com/repository/Angels_and_Demons/devil-0060.gif..:D. Best to ask if you're not sure!! Thanks, I'll see if I can capture some from B&Q I think.


Few hours later...Got some!!

I didn't realise a Pantomime was part of the drill though...:D

To young teenage girl B&Q assistant..." Do you stock Bio Ethanol please?"
Blank look..." What's it for?"
" It's a fuel for burning..."
" Like charcoal?"
" No it's liquid "
" Liquid for burning??" Big puzzled blue eyes...

Couldn't resist this..." Yep, I use it as fuel to launch my Moon rockets, NASA have run out"
She takes a step backwards and then realises I'm about to collapse with laughter....:D

Problem solved. In our local B&Q Bio Ethanol is kept off display, it's stowed away in a storeroom and you have to ask for it, she didn't know the drill...........:D

[Tigger004]

I have used Bioethanol from B&Q for quite a while now, the great thing for me is that the flame is visible in bright sunlight, a warning - used it in a whitebox stove with a nimblewill as a windshield, it got a bit excited by the high localised temperature created which compounded the issue, be careful, as once it starts, it becomes increasingly dangerous to stop, (burns a high volume of fuel at the same time)

[rik_uk3]

Use a Trangia burner and you can control the flame with the simmer ring and snuff out the flame with the simmer ring.

[midas]

B n Q is the place to obtain your Bio Ethanol,£5 for 2litres.
La Hacienda.BIO ETHANOL,95%Ethonal,Especially for Bio Ethanol Fireplaces.
These are the "Mock Fires"but with real flickering flames.and safe to burn in houses with no chimneys.
It is not stocked in large quantities,Health n Safety.but can be ordered and arrives at store over night.
If your B n Q stocks it it will be on its own in a metal tray next to the Fires.not with the others white spirit ,meths solvents etc.

[jus_young]

The only one I can find on B&Q is this

http://www.diy.com/departments/la-hacienda-fireplace-fuel-1l-pack-of-12/535514_BQ.prd

That works out at £4.58 a litre which is a bit more expensive than the Fuel4 bio-ethanol that I am using at the moment.

[Peaks]

Have a look on ebay - plenty of choice for prices :o

[saxonaxe]

Just dug the bill out for today's purchase...2 litres.. £6 B&Q It's listed as Bio Fuel ( a clear plastic 2 lt container looks the same as their White Spirit containers)

[jus_young]

Just over £2 a litre

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Bio-Ethanol-Liquid-Fuel-25L-5x5lt-Premium-Quality-Bio-Fuel-/171540261986?pt=UK_HG_FireplacesMantelpieces_RL&hash=item27f098ac62

That could be worth getting and should last a while :ashamed:

[rik_uk3]

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/25-LITRES-Methanol-99-9-Pure-Biodiesel-or-General-use-25000ml-25L-/221265374063?pt=UK_BOI_Medical_Lab_Equipment_Lab_S upplies_ET&hash=item338471ab6f £1.50 a litre. I use this in Trangia stoves and a Heatpal heater.

[midas]

Just dug the bill out for today's purchase...2 litres.. £6 B&Q It's listed as Bio Fuel ( a clear plastic 2 lt container looks the same as their White Spirit containers)

Was about 8 months ago when i bought my 5 x 2litres,at £5 per 2.ltr,so prob gone up.

[Tigger004]

I've no idea what the law says, but there must be a limit for domestic storage. Common sense says not to have massive amounts.
There are limits for petrol

[rik_uk3]

I've no idea what the law says, but there must be a limit for domestic storage. Common sense says not to have massive amounts.
There are limits for petrol

250 litres.

[jus_young]

250 litres.
More than I thought then. The limits on petrol are stricter though aren't they?

[SimonB]

I picked up a 750ml bottle and used it on a 3 day/2 night jaunt recently.

Just like meths, it didn't like being cold, and had to be primed, but I found it worked very well, and used the full bottle, but then I used my trangia exclusively, to give the fuel a good test.... Will be picking some more up soon, and even the brother in law wants some for his burner... Bonus point being no foul smell to taint anything !!!!! :)

[jus_young]

I have also been using this pretty exclusively now for the last couple of months as opposed to meths.

Last weekends trip was an Exmoor excursion training groups for Ten Tors where the temperatures didn't get much above freezing and even dropped below when it was time to cook my evening meal. Like you say Simon, it doesn't like being cold but I just don't like using gas stoves and even some of those being used by the young folks were struggling.

I will be staying with it for some time to come I think and have plenty of trips in the diary what with Ten Tors and DofE. The daughter can have my Trangia gas stove and I will have her meths stove as an exchange so I have a back up if ever needed.

[beermaker]

Wish I'd read this thread a week ago before spending £6 on two bottles of meths for my cooker!! Will have a jolly to B&Q at the weekend!

[SimonB]

I have also been using this pretty exclusively now for the last couple of months as opposed to meths.

Last weekends trip was an Exmoor excursion training groups for Ten Tors where the temperatures didn't get much above freezing and even dropped below when it was time to cook my evening meal. Like you say Simon, it doesn't like being cold but I just don't like using gas stoves and even some of those being used by the young folks were struggling.

I will be staying with it for some time to come I think and have plenty of trips in the diary what with Ten Tors and DofE. The daughter can have my Trangia gas stove and I will have her meths stove as an exchange so I have a back up if ever needed.

Well I am a convert to it.... As I said, I used my Trangia exclusively, and once it got going, it was excellent. But then again, even meths doesn't like the cold, so no concerns in that respect, and yes Jus, the silence is lovely....... :)

[TreefrogGB]

Go Outdoors stock 'Fuel4 Bio-Ethanol Spirit (5 Litres)' at £15.30 if you have a discount card.
http://www.gooutdoors.co.uk/search/go?view=grid&w=bio

[jus_young]

The La Hacienda fuel from B&Q was about £7 for two of the 2.5 litre bottles last time I went in

[-Tim-]

As an avid meths user.........erm what I mean is a Trangia user, this thread has given me food for thought!!!

Cheers
Tim