Comments on: Biodiesel: The French Fry Fuel

By: Cynthia Stevenson

Cynthia Stevenson — Sun, 07 Sep 2008 00:35:39 +0000

Does anyone know of a biodiesel camp where
teenagers can learn how to make their own fuel? What if there was a community bodiesel manufacturing site where people could go use the equipment to supply their needs.

By: Andrew

Andrew — Fri, 04 Jan 2008 02:52:49 +0000

Hey marv. Thanks for the comment. I’m glad that we’ve motivated you to give biodiesel a try. As for filtering the grease with a piece of cloth, I don’t think that will do the job. Manufacturing biodiesel is more than a filtering process. There is actually a chemical reaction that goes on between the grease and the methanol and lye that are added to the batch. This reaction is what converts the grease into high quality fuel. As for older engines the only thing you have to watch out for is some don’t have synthetic seals in the fuel system. These will have to be replaced before you can use biodiesel. Over time the methanol, which can be left in small percentages in the fuel, will degrade these seals. Most vehicles made after 1994 will have fully synthetic fuel lines.

By: marv

marv — Tue, 01 Jan 2008 06:30:01 +0000

just read this and a few others like it. years ago i had a datsun diesel king cab pickukp. there were stories about running on french fry grease, but at the time i did not want to gamble on damaging my reliable engine. now i think i shall look for a good used older diesel wagon or car to give it a try. any thought on just filtering the grease through a piece of cloth? would it still work or must you get more meticulous on the filtering process? older or new diesel engines more forgiving??