BioDiesel, Make With Caution Please ...

We’ve all see it in the news and the tread has taken off in a big way after last years record high gas prices, and why not make it, especially if there’s a big savings in the process. The making of biodiesel fuels has become more common place to where it’s not just out on the farm where this alternative fuel source is being made; it could and has been made in the home. Hopefully it’s out in the garage? There are no real restrictions in making biodiesel for the most part other then maybe the quantity.

“You won’t find a rule anywhere that says you can’t cook biodiesel in your garage,” said Bob Benedetti who works for the National Fire Protection Association in Quincy, Mass as a flammable liquids engineer.

To some it could be a fun hobby, just like making your own beer, or me with this blog page. Making your own beer … hmmm … I think that’s how Samuel Adams Beer got its start.

Now making biodiesel is a process of mixing several different items. Basically, it’s bringing together cooking oil with methanol or wood alcohol of some sort, cooking it to 120 degrees to make the biodiesel. At any rate with the methanol being highly flammable along with the frying oil possible catching fire if it comes in contact with an ignition source in the cooking process especially if the oil gets to hot, fire safety is paramount. Keeping it simple though, when ever you mix any combination of chemicals together there’s always a probability of something happening. That’s just basic Haz-Mat 101. Here’ a good YouTube video on Biodiesel Safety:



There could be stockpiled items such as tanks & barrels of materials at a home garage or out on a farm. Storage of biodiesel on a farm could range anywhere from 200-300 gallons in plastic containers if not more. Fire fighters need to be aware of this potentially hazardous material when responding to a fire call that a heavy column of dark black smoke is coming from a home residence in the community or reported barn fire. Once large quantities of biodiesel get burning there’s going to be one very hot fire and will make for a bad day.

Biodiesel refiners/operations in the home or on the farm are common place now. With more and more how-to-make instructions on the internet, kits that are on sale to help make biodiesel at home, even already made biodiesel producing units for sale… this is something a fire fighter needs to be aware of and even fire departments maybe doing pre-fire planning on locations of biodiesels within their prospective fire districts. Nothing wrong with making cheaper fuel as long as the process is done safely.

(The usual disclaimers: I am not a journalist; This is a blog that expresses an outlook and is not conclusive in any shape or manner. )