Make your own Diesel

What about this hey –

“We turned our kitchen into a sort of illicit still and made a hell of a mess in there brewing biodiesel fuel out of about 60 litres of yukky waste cooking oil we got from behind McDonald’s one night (they were happy to give it to us once we told them we didn’t want to eat it). We were sure it would work, but we had to make it ourselves first — we’re not chemists, and if we can make it anyone can.”

I don’t own a diesel, but I am in the market for a new car, so imagine saving $50 a week on fuel!
It’s not a 10 minute process, it takes a bit to get going but hey, a few early mornings out in the shed never hurt anyone!

I found some info in case you were wondering –

Biodiesel facts

The raw material — used cooking oil.

Biodiesel is much cleaner than fossil-fuel diesel (“dinodiesel”). It can be used in any diesel engine with no need for modifications — in fact diesel engines run better and last longer with biodiesel. And it can easily be made from a common waste product — used cooking oil.

• Biodiesel fuel burns up to 75% cleaner than conventional diesel fuel made from fossil fuels
• Biodiesel substantially reduces unburned hydrocarbons, carbon monoxide and particulate matter in exhaust fumes
• Sulphur dioxide emissions are eliminated (biodiesel contains no sulphur)
• Biodiesel is plant-based and adds no CO2 to the atmosphere
• The ozone-forming potential of biodiesel emissions is nearly 50% less than conventional diesel fuel
• Nitrogen oxide (NOx) emissions may increase or decrease but can be reduced to well below conventional diesel fuel levels by adjusting engine timing and other means
• Biodiesel exhaust is not offensive and doesn’t cause eye irritation (it smells like French fries!)
• Biodiesel is environmentally friendly: it is renewable, “more biodegradable than sugar and less toxic than table salt” (US National Biodiesel Board)
• Biodiesel can be used in any diesel engine
• Fuel economy is the same as conventional diesel fuel
• Biodiesel is a much better lubricant than conventional diesel fuel and extends engine life — a German truck won an entry in the Guinness Book of Records by travelling more than 1.25 million km (780,000 miles) on biodiesel with its original engine
• Biodiesel has a high cetane rating, which improves engine performance: 20% biodiesel added to conventional diesel fuel improves the cetane rating 3 points, making it a Premium fuel
• Biodiesel can be mixed with ordinary petroleum diesel fuel in any proportion, with no need for a mixing additive.
• Even a small amount of biodiesel means cleaner emissions and better engine lubrication: 1% biodiesel will increase lubricity by 65%
• Biodiesel can be produced from any fat or vegetable oil, including waste cooking oil.

Have a listen to this radio interview.