Algonquin Adventures / Ethanol fuel

**Posted by RCSpartan** 6/02/2020 1:37 pm

Hey Team Algonquin,
A few years ago I picked up a 4L jug of Bio-Flame ethanol at Cdn Tire for use in my alcohol stove. I realized today when packing for an upcoming trip that I'm down to my last 250ml or less. I tried to check all the major retailers but none of them seem to stock ethanol anymore. Anyone know why?

After experimenting with different fuels I found ethanol to be the best. Was the safest burn in terms of respiratory concerns and, when diluted with water, was very economical. Bummer if I can't get it anymore. Thanks

http://www.youtube.com/user/kayakcamper · **Posted by Uppa** 6/02/2020 4:22 pm

I would think pure ethanol would have always been a tough thing to find. They almost always denature (aka poison) ethanol so nobody starts drinking it.

How about this? https://www.wayfair.ca/outdoor/pdp/regal-flame-prime-ventless-bio-ethanol-fireplace-fuel-rgfl1066.html?piid=

**Posted by TripperMike** 6/04/2020 12:01 pm

Not sure what kind of stove you are running, but I've been using Methyl Hydrate for a few years in my little Trangia burner. A 4L jug at CT is around $10.00 and lasts me 2+ seasons.

**Posted by MartinG** 6/04/2020 1:09 pm

Methyl Hydrate is the way to go in Canada. Available everywhere. The Yellow bottle of Heet gas line antifreeze seems popular too.

**Posted by Marko_Mrko** 6/05/2020 5:25 am

Sadly, it seems that Canada banned ethanol fuels in 2019... darn!! I didn't realize this.

https://www.cbc.ca/news/business/health-canada-alert-danger-ethanol-firepots-1.5316255

I agree about ethanol, it is superior to methanol (ie methyl hydrate) for a couple of reasons:

1. It won't kill you as easily. Ingesting onlyout 10g of methanol will cause blindness
2. It has more energy per volume.

Too bad... Looks like you're back to methanol. The only other possibility is high-proof alcohol. Everclear grain alcohol is 95% and is sold in Alberta... ... And the bonus is that it's actually (barely?) drinkable.

**Posted by RCSpartan** 6/08/2020 8:10 am

Thanks all!
Bummer re: the banning of ethanol fuels.
Just came back from the Park where I used a blend of the last of my ethanol mixed with some methyl hydrate. Researched before and, because they are both alcohol based, it is ok to do.
Also added a little bit of H2O in my Trangia burner before lighting to temper the flame. Wow, best burn I've ever had in all my years of using that stove.

**Posted by Marko_Mrko** 6/08/2020 11:08 am

RCSpartan wrote:
Also added a little bit of H2O in my Trangia burner before lighting to temper the flame. Wow, best burn I've ever had in all my years of using that stove.

Interesting!!! How? Why? How much?

Lemme know!

**Posted by RCSpartan** 6/08/2020 11:27 am

@Marko_Mrko Given ethanol burns quite hot I've always added some water to keep the flame under control and to avoid soot on my pots. Try adding about 10% water to your fuel start and experiment.
For some reason the ethanol/methanol mix I happened upon last weekend was bang on in terms of quality of flame.

**Posted by solos** 6/08/2020 7:22 pm

RCSpartan wrote:
@Marko_Mrko Given ethanol burns quite hot I've always added some water to keep the flame under control and to avoid soot on my pots. Try adding about 10% water to your fuel start and experiment.
For some reason the ethanol/methanol mix I happened upon last weekend was bang on in terms of quality of flame.

Im not a combustion expert but I believe that both soot and smoke arise because of incomplete combustion. This occurs often in campfires because of the rapid cooling as the flames rise up into the air. I’ve been tinkering with a home built batch rocket stove on my deck and it’s able to produce some super clean smokeless burns. Even the hottest campfires I’ve been making in the woods put out a ton of smoke in comparison. Now I’m going to build a smaller lightweight batch rocket that I hope to use for winter camping.

Maybe using 100% ethanol in your stove manages to eject too much fuel (relative to the oxygen and heat) and adding the water somehow brings things back into balance?