The Safe Way To Make Homemade Biodiesel

Homemade Biodiesel recipes and "How To Make Biodiesel" guides are becoming increasingly common. Biodiesel offers a clean burning, cheaper alternative to traditional fossil-based fuel and is produced from renewable resources with very little environmental impact.

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It is also easy to use, bio-degradable, not toxic, and contains no polluting sulfur or lead additives. It is therefore relatively easy to see why information on how to make Biodiesel has become so popular.

All homemade Biodiesel recipes include the generic steps of heating vegetable oil; creating a solution of methanol, lye and Sodium Methoxide; and mixing them altogether. These recipes require toxic chemicals - some of which are considered to be very dangerous. For example, methanol is absorbed through skin tissue and can cause blindness or even death. Sodium hydroxide cause severe third degree burns.

When making homemade Biodiesel, you will be wise to follow some simple, yet effective, safety tips. For example, always wear proper protective gear such as gloves, an apron, and eye protection. Make sure they are chemical and fire proof. Don't use plastic gloves that can dissolve when they come into contact with some chemicals. Wear a shirt with cuffs for additional protection while making homemade Biodiesel. To ensure full protection, cover as much of your skin as possible. So, don't wear shorts or sandals!

In addition to protective clothing, careful thought should also be given to the area where you work. Ensure there is a good draft flowing through your work space. Before making homemade Biodiesel allow for sufficient ventilated so that the fumes can easily escape. Self-Contained Breathing Apparatus (SCBA) does offer some protection from methanol vapors. Don't allow young children or pets to get too close to the filtering drums.

All "How To Make Biodiesel" guides suggest making homemade Biodiesel on cool days. This is because methanol produces its most toxic fumes when it is warm. At a standard room-temperature it is relatively safe to work with.

Always keep chemical containers at arm's length when opening the lid. This is because the compound may expand, explode, spill or splash.

Finally, be sure to always have running water available while handling methanol and sodium hydroxide. This may be necessary to flush these chemicals out of your eyes or other exposed areas.

Heading the advice presented in this article should mitigate the risks associated with producing homemade Biodiesel. That said, we don't assume responsibility for any injuries or damage to property when following this "How To Make Biodiesel" guide.