Things You'll Need:
- Blender or mini processor
- Cooking or vegetable oil
- Alcohol (methanol)
- Lye catalyst (sodium hydroxide)
- Sturdy, thick mixing container
- Large processor
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Step 1
Use high-quality ingredients at first until you know what you are doing and can mix and match. Methanol can be bought from supermarkets (sometimes labeled as stove fuel) bulk fuel distributors, some racetracks and even some paint companies. Sodium hydroxide or lye can be found through chemical suppliers or hardware stores.
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Step 2
Make a test batch. This can be done in a spare blender or a mini processor for a small 1-liter batch. Afterward you will need a larger processor to make a full batch.
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Step 3
Choose a recipe. Accurate portions and measuring are very important. No matter how great a cook you are, this is not the time to experiment. For every liter of fresh (unused) vegetable oil use 3.5 grams of lye. For every liter of used vegetable oil use 6 to 7 grams of lye. Methanol should be approximately 20 percent of the total amount of vegetable oil used. Test batches are important to make sure the proportions work.
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Step 4
Create the methoxide. This is the combination of methanol and lye. Combining these two ingredients creates heat and can be very dangerous. Use a sturdy, thick mixing container. Add the lye to the methanol a little at a time. Stir off and on until the lye dissolves. For a large batch it may take 24 hours or more for the lye to dissolve.
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Step 5
Make the fuel. Pre-heat the vegetable oil and carefully add the methoxide. Process or blend at low speed for 20-30 minutes.
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Step 6
Let the biodiesel settle. At least 12 hours is required for settling, but if you can let it sit for more than 24 hours. Skim the top layer off before using.
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Step 7
Test the fuel before using. Good biosiesel should be fully soluble in regular methanol. If not, review your recipe and try again.
