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Letter Re: Homemade Alcohol Stoves
James,
A few years ago I was interested in methanol since it worked well in fuel
cells to generate electricity without combustion. Alas, I found that methanol
["wood alcohol"] is very toxic. Anyone in a burning methanol [extensively
in a confined space] would shortly after feel "drunk" then
[might eventually] die from methanol poisoning. Additionally, methanol you
spill on your hands enters your
bloodstream and damages your liver (permanently), any you inhale does likewise,
and any that hits the ground will poison the soil and groundwater. Its bad
stuff, not something you want to have around unless you really have to. - Inyokern
JWR Replies: Thanks for adding those safety warnings. I
was aware of the dangers of ingesting methanol, but I was not
aware that the fumes and
skin contact
were so insidious.
I will append my
reply to LeAnne's
instructional post. Based on your warnings, I can now only
recommend grain alcohol (ethanol) for use in tin can stoves.
