View Full Version : alternatives to meths
jonnie drake
28-08-2010, 18:35
are there any cheaper fuels that can be used in a meths burner?
Me and the GF were in wilko's today I notice they are selling bbq lighter fluid at £1 for 1L but the meths is £3.49 for 500ml. I'll deffo give the lighter fluid a go and let you all know how it goes.
I seem to be getting through a lot of meths at the minute. Too many brews! :p
nitrambur
28-08-2010, 19:02
bbq lighter fluid is most likely paraffin and shouldn't be used in a meths burner
jonnie drake
28-08-2010, 19:06
no worries mate thanks for the heads up.
nitrambur
28-08-2010, 19:08
Just trying to find where I read it and can't see it now. Hopefully someone will be along in a minute to either back me up or say I've got it the wrong way round and you cant use meths in a paraffin burner. .... Anyone?
Well, I use this stuff in my trangia, as far as I can tell it's meths without the purple dye. "http://www.contemporaryelements.co.uk/epages/BT3541.sf/en_GB/?ObjectPath=/Shops/BT3541/Products/0218" other places may sell cheaper, look for B95 bio-ethanol.
Disclaimer: I don't work for this company, only purchased from them in person.
Look on ebay for methanol used for making your own biodiesel. Just DON'T tell them you arn't making biodiesel or they have to charge tax etc. I get 25L for about £8~12 but you have to pick up. For me the nearest is only about ten miles away.
Alan
demographic
28-08-2010, 19:45
Look on ebay for methanol used for making your own biodiesel. Just DON'T tell them you arn't making biodiesel or they have to charge tax etc. I get 25L for about £8~12 but you have to pick up. For me the nearest is only about ten miles away.
Alan
Its worth mentioning that methanol is pretty nasty stuff, don't breath the fumes in, obviously don't drink it and don't get it on the skin.
I use denatured alcohol. It is clear with no color. Is that the same as meth?
Its worth mentioning that methanol is pretty nasty stuff, don't breath the fumes in, obviously don't drink it and don't get it on the skin.
Yes quiet correct but so is any fuel to some degree or other.
Technically you can absorb any alcohol through the skin, but in reality unless you have very dry skin, its not really a problem (unless you start to wash you hands in it!).
I am not going to go on about 'been using it for years. You have to decide.
Lets just say there are a lot of people that work in labs (like I used to) that use methanol all day every day and no ill effects.
Petrol fumes are nasty to your respiritory system and can do a lot of damage.
Treat with respect and all is well.
As you should with all fuels/solvents
BTw look up just how much 'impurities' are allowed in meths. and what they can be!!
In the industry its know as a good way to get rid of crap!!
Alan
If you use the wrong fuel in a stove, then in addition to the potential danger, and the not burning properly, parts of the stove (for example the seals) can be damaged.
Three and a half quid for 500ml of meths is a ripoff. Petrol at the pumps is much cheaper, and that's exorbitant for a fuel for cooking. I'd shop elsewhere.
I use denatured alcohol. It is clear with no color. Is that the same as meth?
Probably not. There are many alcohols, methanol and ethanol are just two of them. Look on Wikipedia.
tenderfoot
28-08-2010, 20:31
I use denatured alcohol. It is clear with no color. Is that the same as meth?
i believe it is a form of the same ie methanol its the american name for it in the uk our stuff is different it has a smelland purple dye added to prevent oral consumption
tenderfoot
28-08-2010, 20:33
Just trying to find where I read it and can't see it now. Hopefully someone will be along in a minute to either back me up or say I've got it the wrong way round and you cant use meths in a paraffin burner. .... Anyone?
It depends:- some multi fuel stoves eg optimus III etc can use different fuels for meyhs you have to insert a restrictor into the jet. these sometimes come with the stove.
Lordyosch
28-08-2010, 21:15
Denatured alcohol is usually about the same as Meths. Ethanol (the 'good' alcohol) attracts tax like nobodies business so they 'denature it' by adding methanol which is toxic. (science bit: they form an azeotropic mixture which cannot be separated by distillation) so make it undrinkable (except for Harry Ramps).
I'd say Paraffin/Kerosene would be fine in an alcohol stove as it is NOT a pressure stove. Alcohol in a pressure stove is generally a no-no because the alcohol can wreck any rubber/plastic seals.
Jay
bernie66
28-08-2010, 22:30
Just because I am stupid and need clarification on things that might injure me, a small unpressurised meths burner can use parafin is teh way I understand it now. Is that correct?
British Red
28-08-2010, 22:46
No way would I burn paraffin in a meths stove - its just not designed for it - strikes me as very dangerous - not as bad as petrol which is near lethal but still pretty dumb.
If you want to burn paraffin - buy a paraffin stove - theres some nice brass ones around for £30 or so.
bernie66
28-08-2010, 22:49
No way would I burn paraffin in a meths stove - its just not designed for it - strikes me as very dangerous - not as bad as petrol which is near lethal but still pretty dumb.
If you want to burn paraffin - buy a paraffin stove - theres some nice brass ones around for £30 or so.
I've got an old one from my dads shed, its impractically large and only used by me trying to get it to work. Think the rubber seals has perished so it wouldn't build up pressure. Might weigh it in :-)
British Red
28-08-2010, 22:59
Check out "monitor stoves" on e-bay
http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2762/4470144611_54e7059a09_o.jpg
Plenty of modern, lightweight pressure stoves available too if that's your thing - MSR etc do loads. A Trangia burner is not the way to do it
bernie66
28-08-2010, 23:01
Thats the one languishing in my shed, its a bit tarnished but its pretty much the one - hardly the spacesaver :-)
jonnie drake
30-08-2010, 11:46
thanks for all the replies guys! I'm just using a little DIY coke can job.
My local hardware shop sells 5 litres of meths for £11. It's branded Barrettine.
Laurentius
31-08-2010, 22:16
Rough cider is still good enough for me, I don't yet feel the need to supplement it with meths or boot polish :)
I've got an old one from my dads shed, its impractically large and only used by me trying to get it to work. Think the rubber seals has perished so it wouldn't build up pressure. Might weigh it in :-)
Don't you dare!
bernie66
31-08-2010, 23:41
Fair enough, if your passing close by you're welcome to it.
I used something that I think was pro-ethanol in my Trangia last week as I'd run out of meths. It burned hotter than meths but made terrible smoke & soot. Soot would get into the food too if it wasn't covered (easy with a pot, difficult with a frying pan). I'd stick to meths, which I get at a fairly good price in my local independant hardware shop. I think I paid £12 for 5L recently.