Bio-diesel...The "Real" Story

No serious discussion of bio-diesel, or any subject for that matter, without looking at the "down-side" of the picture. There are things you need to consider before undertaking this project, or any project. Not that anyone is trying to scare you off from making your own bio-diesel. But a smart person looks at all angles.

Some of the issues concerned have to do with safety. Others concerns have to do if you are considering selling the product. Still others have to do with the process itself. Let's look at all of them...

First...,

...slopping some homemade bio-diesel into your engine without first reading the warranty for your vehicle is NOT a wise thing to do. Manufacturers differ. What you're trying to do is avoid voiding your car's warranty. READ your OME warranty YOURSELF. (Don't take someone's word for it.) To stay on the safe side.

Secondly...

If you're planning on giving away or selling your biodiesel to friends, family, or anyone else, keep a few things in mind. One, if it wreaks THEIR car, it's YOU, not the manufacturer who could be held responsible. Also remember, it could also be illegal to sell bio-diesel that is not up to federal fuel grade standards. You need to check local, state, and federal law on the subject.

Lastly...

The biodiesel process itself can be time consuming, and require a lot of work on your part. There are not any free lunches. You will need to set aside some time for experimenting, and trying different methods. Be sure to make small test batches first and gradually work your way up to a larger scale. You might experience a few failures. Don't take it personally, just try it again. Biodiesel will vary from person to person, climate, humidity, and your ingredients, such as the quality of the vegetable oil you are using. Also be sure to test any bio-diesel fuel you make prior to using it. Make sure that you have ended up with a quality, fuel grade product. Otherwise you could be risking damage to your diesel engine or diesel car.

Bio-diesel home making is not for children. Be a responsible adult. Many of the materials used to make bio-diesel if handled wrong can hurt you. Read the safety page here to get started.

Now, the good news...

Lots of people are doing this. In Europe and in the United States. This is not wacky science. It has been used for almost a century...especially by farmers. The diesel engine itself was designed with vegetable oil in mind as a fuel source. Large numbers of "real" people all over the world are discovering they don't have to be a slave to the Oil Companies any longer...and you can too. Large numbers of ordinary people from all over the world (especially farmers!) have been biodiesel home making for
over half a century.

It's true that some of the ingredients are toxic, but that shouldn't stop you. For example, Lye that is used in most bio-diesel recipes is sold in supermarkets and hardware stores as a drain cleaner. It is also an ingredient used in soaps. Methanol, another ingredient is used can be bought in the same places over the counter as it is the main ingredient in fondue fuel, as an automotive fuel additive, even barbeque fuel! So don't listen to people who say this is "Extremely dangerous." These are the same people McDonalds had to warn about coffee being hot. It's perfectly safe if you're careful and sensible about the handling and mixing of the product then there is no need to be apprehensive.

As long as you educate yourself, exercise proper concern for yourself and responsibility towards other people, there is no reason you can't be enjoying lower energy and fuel costs, saving money and the knowledge that you're being kind to the environment.