Stirlingengineforum.com

Hello. I am new to this forum. I am hoping you can answer a question for me. I have a Wigger model steam engine. I used to use denatured alcohol in the little brass wick burner. Now that denatured alcohol is not available in California I need an alternative. I picked up a bottle of Bio Ethanol fuel sold for use with an indoor fire place. Is this a good and safe alternative? TIA

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Look at the percentage. Denatured alcohol, goes by other names, and is about 95% ethanol. I haven't heard of Bio ethanol, but all ethanol comes from biological sources, from the yeast fermentation process. In other words denatured alcohol is 95% bio ethanol with 5% methanol and something to make it bitter, bad to taste. Do not taste it.

Other substitutions are menthol and isopropyl alcohol. Both are as bad a poison or worse than denatured alcohol. Both should work just fine. Isopropyl is also called rubbing alcohol and probably a little less toxic than methanol. Methanol is also called wood alcohol. It is the predominant liquid produced by wood pyrolysis. Look in the hardware store paint thinner section, for these.

Again look at the fine print. 70% will burn but not so well. Look for 90% or better.

Do not use acetone. It will burn and vaporize into a much larger flame. Much much larger.

P.S., Prohibitively expensive, the liquor store would have, Everclear or White lightning, also called Moonshine. They are 95% to 99% 190 proof, or there about. Pure ethanol. It is only if you really are in a pinch. They are drinkable, well sort of. LOL

Use caution. Read all warnings. Be alert. Experiment in a safe ventilated place. You know all that.

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Try Heet from a gas station. It is sold as a gas line antifreeze, maybe only available in northern areas. I have been using it for years in the camp stove and sterling engine burner. It comes in a yellow bottle.

Thank you for the replies. I have ordered a bottle online.

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If you use a lot of it. A gallon will refill the little heat bottle 11 times. It's only slightly cheaper. Look in Walmart, or any hardware store.

https://www.amazon.com/Klean-Strip-GSL2 ... 2218&psc=1

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