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As the world financial crisis persists, and the health of the earth continues to deteriorate, increasing numbers of people are turning to biofuel as an alternative (and free) source of energy, and learning that you actually can make biodiesel at home from recycled cooking oils!
It can be used to power any diesel engine - cars, trucks, tractors, even ships and aeroplanes, and is also used for heating the home and for powering diesel generators.
It can be used to power any diesel engine - cars, trucks, tractors, even ships and aeroplanes, and is also used for heating the home and for powering diesel generators.
Biodiesel FAQ
What is Biodiesel? Biodiesel is a clean-burning, non-petroleum-based fuel, composed of short-chain alkyl esters, which is made from vegetable oils, recycled cooking oils or animal fat, and can be used either alone or in a blend with conventional petroleum diesel to power most normal, unmodified diesel engines.
Is Biodiesel a new invention? Not at all. When German engineer Rudolf Diesel invented the diesel engine in 1892 it was first made to run on peanut oil. One of Henry Ford's first vehicles, meanwhile, was designed to run on ethanol.
Is Biodiesel used pure or in a blend with petro-diesel?
Biodiesel can be used either neat (known as B100) or in any concentration in a blend with petroleum diesel. B20 (a blend of 20 percent biodiesel and 80 percent by volume petroleum diesel) is generally used in unmodified engines.
What are the benefits of Biodiesel? Biodiesel is bio-degradable, non-toxic, renewable and burns cleaner than petroleum-based fuel, reducing carbon emissions by 78% .
It has a higher cetane content, which lowers idle noise and makes it easier to cold-start the engine.
It is better lubricating qualities and is a better solvent, therefore cleaning the engine and prolonging its life.
It is easy and cheap to produce.
It benefits from tax incentives.
What are the disadvantages of Biodiesel? Since biodiesel congeals at a higher temperature in colder climates it should not be used neat but in a blend of 20% biodiesel to 80% petrodiesel.
Its solvent property, moreover, while helping to clean the fuel system, tends to loosen deposits which may initially clog the filters and fuel lines.
Nitrogen oxides emissions can sometimes increase slightly; biodiesel's total lack of sulfur and sulfate emissions, however, allow these to be controlled through NOx control technologies.
Is Biodiesel safe? Processing biodiesel involves the handling of dangerous chemicals and all safety precautions must be taken. Biodiesel itself is non-toxic and less irritating to the skin than soap. It degrades 4 times faster than petro-diesel.
It also has a much higher flash point than petro-diesel (over 200°), meaning that it is safer to store, handle and use.
Can I make my own Biodiesel? Yes! For quite a few years many people have been successfully producing their own biodiesel at home, and today, as constantly rising fuel prices make it increasingly expensive to use the car, more and more biodiesel kits are being bought, built and used.
Yes, you can make biodiesel at home, as the dozens of online home videos prove without a doubt.
Is Biodiesel approved for use in the U.S.? Biodiesel is registered with the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) as a fuel and fuel additive; it complies with the California Air Resources Board (CARB) standards; Pure biodiesel (100%) has been qualified and adopted as an alternative fuel by the US Department of Transportation (DOT) and the Department of Energy (DOE).
Is Biodiesel a new invention? Not at all. When German engineer Rudolf Diesel invented the diesel engine in 1892 it was first made to run on peanut oil. One of Henry Ford's first vehicles, meanwhile, was designed to run on ethanol.
Is Biodiesel used pure or in a blend with petro-diesel?
Biodiesel can be used either neat (known as B100) or in any concentration in a blend with petroleum diesel. B20 (a blend of 20 percent biodiesel and 80 percent by volume petroleum diesel) is generally used in unmodified engines.
What are the benefits of Biodiesel? Biodiesel is bio-degradable, non-toxic, renewable and burns cleaner than petroleum-based fuel, reducing carbon emissions by 78% .
It has a higher cetane content, which lowers idle noise and makes it easier to cold-start the engine.
It is better lubricating qualities and is a better solvent, therefore cleaning the engine and prolonging its life.
It is easy and cheap to produce.
It benefits from tax incentives.
What are the disadvantages of Biodiesel? Since biodiesel congeals at a higher temperature in colder climates it should not be used neat but in a blend of 20% biodiesel to 80% petrodiesel.
Its solvent property, moreover, while helping to clean the fuel system, tends to loosen deposits which may initially clog the filters and fuel lines.
Nitrogen oxides emissions can sometimes increase slightly; biodiesel's total lack of sulfur and sulfate emissions, however, allow these to be controlled through NOx control technologies.
Is Biodiesel safe? Processing biodiesel involves the handling of dangerous chemicals and all safety precautions must be taken. Biodiesel itself is non-toxic and less irritating to the skin than soap. It degrades 4 times faster than petro-diesel.
It also has a much higher flash point than petro-diesel (over 200°), meaning that it is safer to store, handle and use.
Can I make my own Biodiesel? Yes! For quite a few years many people have been successfully producing their own biodiesel at home, and today, as constantly rising fuel prices make it increasingly expensive to use the car, more and more biodiesel kits are being bought, built and used.
Yes, you can make biodiesel at home, as the dozens of online home videos prove without a doubt.
Is Biodiesel approved for use in the U.S.? Biodiesel is registered with the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) as a fuel and fuel additive; it complies with the California Air Resources Board (CARB) standards; Pure biodiesel (100%) has been qualified and adopted as an alternative fuel by the US Department of Transportation (DOT) and the Department of Energy (DOE).
Books on
Biofuel & Biodiesel
Biofuel & Biodiesel
Making Biodiesel
2-part Discovery Channel video
2-part Discovery Channel video
Biodiesel Processors
& Equipment
& Equipment
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Information, Facts & Guides on How To Make Biodiesel At Home
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Biolyle's Biodiesel Workshop
The website of Seattle-based biodiesel expert Lyle Rudensey M. Ed. (aka BioLyle) who offers classes, consulting and equipment.
NearBio
A free service which gives a complete list of US biodiesel stations, showing them on a map and providing directions.
Auto Trader - How to Make Your Own Biodiesel
A UK-based website with an excellent page on how to make biodiesel from used frying oil. Step-by-step instructions, photos and videos.
Journey To Forever
A straightforward, no-fluff website well stocked with information and instructions on homemade biofuel, including from waste vegetable oil (WVO).
The website of Seattle-based biodiesel expert Lyle Rudensey M. Ed. (aka BioLyle) who offers classes, consulting and equipment.
NearBio
A free service which gives a complete list of US biodiesel stations, showing them on a map and providing directions.
Auto Trader - How to Make Your Own Biodiesel
A UK-based website with an excellent page on how to make biodiesel from used frying oil. Step-by-step instructions, photos and videos.
Journey To Forever
A straightforward, no-fluff website well stocked with information and instructions on homemade biofuel, including from waste vegetable oil (WVO).
Biofuels - good or bad?
Biofuels have for years been at the centre of endless debates as to whether they are good or bad for the environment and the ecosystem. Let's have a look at their pros and cons:
Biofuels have for years been at the centre of endless debates as to whether they are good or bad for the environment and the ecosystem. Let's have a look at their pros and cons:
pros
cons
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Excellent alternative to fossil based fuels |
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Help to mitigate the effects of greenhouse gas emissions |
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Reduce air pollution and the consequently health risks |
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Help to reduce the dependance of domestic economies on foreign petroleum |
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Can be produced easily both in small and large quantities |
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Can be produced at home using recycled cooking oils and fats |
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Biofuel involves the use of chemical pesticides and fertilisers, as well farm equipment and trucks to transport it, all of which require large quantities of oil |
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Mass biofuel production threatens to take away land from edible crops. |
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Large government subsidies are needed for biodiesel production. |
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Biofuel crops are causing deforestation. |
Large-scale biofuel production remains an open debate. On an individual basis, however, it is possible to produce biodiesel without harming the environment or compromising the world's food supplies. How? By making it at home from used cooking oil.
Biodiesel can be made easily at home, in the garage or even in the kitchen (though, in our opinion, it is best to keep the process out of the kitchen).
Producing biodiesel, however, does involve handling and mixing dangerous chemicals (methanol and sodium hydroxide). It is important, therefore, to follow reliable instructions and follow them exactly.
DIY biodiesel manuals - worth paying for?
Today anyone interested in finding out how to make biodiesel at home can get all the information they need on the Web. Downloadable biodiesel manuals are offered at prices rather higher than printed books but, to be fair, do provide quite detailed instructions, complete with photos, diagrams, etc. as well as (in many cases) free online help and consultation and usually, if the customer isn't satisfied, a full money-back guarantee.
Biodiesel can be made easily at home, in the garage or even in the kitchen (though, in our opinion, it is best to keep the process out of the kitchen).
Producing biodiesel, however, does involve handling and mixing dangerous chemicals (methanol and sodium hydroxide). It is important, therefore, to follow reliable instructions and follow them exactly.
DIY biodiesel manuals - worth paying for?
Today anyone interested in finding out how to make biodiesel at home can get all the information they need on the Web. Downloadable biodiesel manuals are offered at prices rather higher than printed books but, to be fair, do provide quite detailed instructions, complete with photos, diagrams, etc. as well as (in many cases) free online help and consultation and usually, if the customer isn't satisfied, a full money-back guarantee.
WARNING:
Making biodiesel involves mixing chemicals and compounds that are highly dangerous. Always wear gloves and safety goggles and work in a ventilated area with running water available.
Making biodiesel involves mixing chemicals and compounds that are highly dangerous. Always wear gloves and safety goggles and work in a ventilated area with running water available.
So are these manuals worth buying? The short answer is yes, if you prefer having your information organized and presented in an easy-to-assimilate way, if your time is limited and you just want to be shown how to get the job done. Obviously, though, the e-guides and tutorials sold online do vary in quality.The manuals/websites we found to be the most useful, instructive and supportive are these on the right.
For those seeking free information and tutorials online, however, there is a great deal to choose from. Below are a selection of useful links.
For those seeking free information and tutorials online, however, there is a great deal to choose from. Below are a selection of useful links.
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Downloadable Biodiesel Manuals