Robert, a long sad tale

[dawnwil]

interesting info

Found this searching Google for ...'Everclear'

http://www.webtender.com/db/ingred/71

If Everclear is not sold where you live, plain vodka can be used instead (Everclear is basically a strong form of vodka).

Warning: Can be lethal when used as shots or substituted for water in Jello shooters.

Calmclam (new poster - but have been lurking in the background for awhile!)

Hey, welcome to the boards.
Is vodka as high test as Everclear? I have tried a lower test alcohol, ie. Isopropyl, and it would not burn.

I will try the vodka test-- I'm borrowing a friend's condo this week for my work, maybe I'll borrow his vodka too.

But I am more excited about the Everclear because I've got it in my mind to make my own booze. hee. And, extra bonus: if the work isn't going well, I can drown my sorrows. It's perfect.

Thanks for the ideas.

PS It might not be a wise to say your name too many times after investigating Everclear, jello shooters or otherwise.

 

[dawnwil]

No problem, I'll check this week and get back to you. I had a bad experience with Everclear once...at least, I'm told I did! ;-)

Looking forward to meeting you! I'll be there from April 6-20, and will PM you closer to the time. Rocky's or Eddy's is great for me, either one.

Anytime, anywhere!

And if it proves too much trouble to bring in the firewater, it's not a problem. I may set up my own distillery here, and become a pyrotechie.

 

[chuckuindy]

Try this

I need help. Nothing burns in my little alcohol burner/flameador.

Dawn

It would take some engineering, tubing, a storage system, and delivery device but it could be done. Find a way to capture the methane gas that AZB discharges on a daily basis. You could fondue or light a city if harnessed properly. Have you ever seen what this man eats?

Chuckuindy

 

[dawnwil]

already done

hi Dawn,

i wouldn't bother with the 151 proof booze. that is only 75% alcohol. you would have to heat the alcohol to burn it. very dangerous. the higher test stuff might work.

have you tried any paint thinners or solvents? most of the better ones are methylated spirits.

ideally, you should get a propane burner of some type. they are clean and you can get the fuel there. there's one at this site, for example, for under $25. search on bunsen burners.

http://sargentwelch.com

you might even find some kerosene burners that you can use with diesel fuel that is available locally.

The science lab guy in Montana gave me the word, that infamous word, "Everclear". I had called to order the bunsen burner, and we talked.

BUT... without getting into too much detail, the burner I'm describing is different. It uses a wick and shoots a small flame sideways. Any kind of gas or fuel will leach an unpleasant odor, because this burner is not set up with a hose to be attached to a fuel supply. I must pour the fuel into it. It might even be dangerous to use diesel, etc, , because I have to light the wick and I'm not sure about explosions.

However, if indeed I go ahead with the Pyrotechie career, I will be delighted to try them all.

Want to help? hee

D

 

[dawnwil]

would be a waste, no?

It would take some engineering, tubing, a storage system, and delivery device but it could be done. Find a way to capture the methane gas that AZB discharges on a daily basis. You could fondue or light a city if harnessed properly. Have you ever seen what this man eats?

Chuckuindy

I have seen what he eats. yes, yes, yes. This is a brilliant idea.

But such a waste to harness him for my minor troubles... when the luz dilemma for the entire country might be resolved.

Agreed?

 

[dawnwil]

sounds promising, readytogo

I need to talk to Hillbilly, because he teaches at the university in Santiago.

Believe me, I wish I could use the gel, but it won't work with this particular kind of flameador.

Ideally, 100% alcohol is best-- it recommends this right on the box in which the burner was packaged because less than 100% will not burn as cleanly.

But don't try and talk me out of that Everclear!! I have big plans now: a nationwide distillery to make specialty liqueurs.

I am also going to try and light vodka, just for the helluvit.

And I am even going to try that Zippo lighter fuel. Explosions can be beautiful. This week is especially good timing to test the Zippo because I'm staying elsewhere than my own house.

Thanks for your idea!

 

[RandyE]

Isopropyl dry gas DOES burn. Always knew that but "tested" 2 brands at my store today. Berkebile and our economy brand. States it is 99% isopropyl. The stuff you bought is crap.

 

[dawnwil]

Hey Randy

What is Isopropyl dry gas? Never heard of it.

When I went to the pharmacy supplier in Santiago, I did so because I expected to be buying a purer form of Isopropyl. You're right, it was crap, which is why I have been questioning the 'watering down', only partly in jest you see.

 

[dawnwil]

about vodka

Well, I checked the vodka supply here, prepared to test away, but it is only 40% alcohol, or 80 proof.

Doesn't come close to Everclear, sad to say.

I must talk to that chemist brother of the Dominican diver from Montana. I would like to know how one might go about distilling Isopropyl or alcohol, just for the heck of it.

 

[el don]

alcohol at 70% or above burns quite readily

Best bets are

industrial alcohol or "alcohol desnaturalizado"

wood alcohol or "alcohol met?lico" "alcohol de madera"

big hardware stores that sell paints and wood finishes.

If it is sold in plastic bottle it will be one of the above, if it is sold in a brown glass bottle it will be methonal alcohol, probably work fine be carful of the fumes.

Most alcohols will not be available in 100% except methonal, but normal is 90% and will burn quite readily.

Isopropyl at 70% should have worked as long as no breeze is blowing.

I would confirm your burners.

ciao

 

[dawnwil]

Wowww...

you know your alcohols, el don. How are you with wine?

Thanks for great info.

I had recently purchased a brand new alcohol burner, so have been testing all possibilities in both the new and the old one.

The 70% isopropyl burned only for a moment, then died, several times. I made sure my wicks were saturated, I trimmed the wicks, and so on. The instructions for the new flameador specifically said to use 100% alcohol for a clean burning flame.

Before, I had always used what is known as 'methyl hydrate' in Canada; it is apparently a gas line anti-freeze as well.

Methyl hydrate, whatever it is, burns beautifully. Clean, no fumes. I cannot work with anything emitting fumes.

thanks again. I have a great many possibilities to pursue now. Especially the spanish names are helpful.

 

[RandyE]

Isopropyl dri gas

Used in all cars with emission systems. The old stuff (methanol based) can contaminate catalytic converters in cars. Helps cars that have water in the fuel system. The best brands (i.e. Berkebile) contain 99% isopropyl alcohol. Sold in the US for under a buck for a 12oz. bottle. White flame, didn't detect an odor.

 

[dawnwil]

Possible success with Ethilico!

Randy, thanks again for info. I wish I could find 99% isopropyl for under a buck for 12 ounces, but... not here.

It's ironic that the DR1 news reports the Age of Ethanol when it's been my nemesis for a year now. heheh.

BUT... I had visited a dental supply place in Santiago a while ago, and knew they had something called 'ethilico' that they used in their little flameadors. They wanted to charge me 460 pesos for 500 ml. It was so high, I actually forgot I had seen it there.

Last week, I called the place in desperation (need it to help finish a sculpture NOW)-- prepared to pay a lot for a little until I found a reasonably priced source-- and I was quoted a price of 675 pesos for 1 gallon. Big difference. Huge difference.

That's 170 pesos for 1 litre, approx, or about $4.50 for that same 12 oz alcohol Randy priced out for under a buck. I can live with this.

It cost me 735 pesos including shipping by Caribe Tours.

Caribe Tours has an amazing slick system.

A motoconcho paid Caribe Tour's office in Charamicos. The office faxed receipt of payment to the dental supply in Santiago. When it arrived, the motoconcho picked it up and brought it to me.

It cost me only 105 pesos for the motos and the Caribe commission for payment. I didn't have to move an inch... before, I would have thought it necessary to drive to Santiago myself to buy it.

I'll be looking for ways to use Caribe Tours for supplies from the cities in future.

Thanks everyone for suggestions-- I'll let you know if it works. If you don't hear from me, you'll know it didn't work and I either shot myself or drank the entire bottle of Everclear Trina brought.

dawnwil