# Why not make ethanol at home? **URL:** \ **Category:** Factual Questions\ **Created:** [June 21, 2007, 7:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-not-make-ethanol-at-home/408896 "2007-06-21T19:45:03Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 8\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![powerjacob](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/f05b48/32.png) [@powerjacob](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/powerjacob)\ **Post date:** [June 21, 2007, 7:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-not-make-ethanol-at-home/408896/1 "2007-06-21T19:45:03Z")
I was thinking the other day with the increase of planted corn this year and the US supposedly starting to go green why couldn’t a person make their own, so called, bio feul. I’ve heard the arguments on both sides of the ethanol debates so that’s not what I’m going for. I was wondering how hard it would be to “Make your own fuel.” From what it sounds like it’s basically Moonshine. I go through 24 gallons of gas, at least, a week travelling around (What can I say I drive an old pickup). I don’t think I’d be able to keep up production of that much product to suit my needs, but could making a little bit help to lighten the amount of cash that is forked over to the cashier at the local Stop N Go. I’m sure the government would frown upon this type of activity. What’s your thoughts? ---
**Author:** ![brazil84](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/8491ac/32.png) [@brazil84](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/brazil84)\ **Post date:** [June 21, 2007, 7:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-not-make-ethanol-at-home/408896/2 "2007-06-21T19:58:48Z")
[QUOTE=powerjacob] I was thinking the other day with the increase of planted corn this year and the US supposedly starting to go green why couldn’t a person make their own, so called, bio feul. I’ve heard the arguments on both sides of the ethanol debates so that’s not what I’m going for. I was wondering how hard it would be to “Make your own fuel.” From what it sounds like it’s basically Moonshine. I go through 24 gallons of gas, at least, a week travelling around (What can I say I drive an old pickup). I don’t think I’d be able to keep up production of that much product to suit my needs, but could making a little bit help to lighten the amount of cash that is forked over to the cashier at the local Stop N Go. I’m sure the government would frown upon this type of activity. What’s your thoughts? [/QUOTE] If you enjoy doing it, fine. However, I have a feeling that if you spent the same amount of time earning minimum wage, and then spent your earnings on gasoline, your car would end up going further. Also, you might want to call up the ATF first! ---
**Author:** ![Duke\_of\_Rat](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/ad7895/32.png) [@Duke\_of\_Rat](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Duke_of_Rat)\ **Post date:** [June 21, 2007, 8:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-not-make-ethanol-at-home/408896/3 "2007-06-21T20:07:52Z")
From [Home Distiller.org](http://homedistiller.org/legal.htm) with links to the different government permits and such. > [@](#): > > If you’re trying the angle of making alcohol as a fuel (yes, this is legal!), see Steve Spence’s site for all the details. > > Whats the cost of doing it right ? Don advises … > State (varies from $75-$3,150 per year) & a Federal license ($500 per year) plus State & Fed. production taxes. Registration of all supplies, suppliers, formulas (Subject to classification and approval) and label reg. (Subject to classification and approval). More paperwork than money. If you already have a brewery or winery (bonded premisis) an “alternation of premisis” may be obtained to operate a distillery (with the additional license) on site. Well worth the trouble, because there is still room at the top. > > Pop advises: > How to obtain an alcohol fuel permit in the US. Here are some basic guidelines to get you started. > > For fed. rules and regs. Go to [http://ecfr.gpoaccess.gov](http://ecfr.gpoaccess.gov) . > > In the browse box, select “title 27” > Where it says “browse parts” click on the numbers “1-199” > Scroll down to “part 19” (Distilled spirits plant)and click on the numbers “19.1 to 19.1010” > You are only interested in “subpart Y” (Distilled spirits for fuel) > > If you just want to produce fuel for personal use, and to be used on your own property, you aren’t subject to bonds, taxes, and denaturing your product unless it is removed from the premises. > > If this is what you want, then you will want to choose the “small plant” ( less than 10,000 proof-gallons per year)A proof-gallon is a US gallon times proof divided by 100. > > For an on line permit application – click on the following link… [http://www.ttb.gov/forms/pdfs/f510074.pdf](http://www.ttb.gov/forms/pdfs/f510074.pdf) > > Or you can call them toll free and request a permit packet. There is no charge for the permit > Tax and Trade Bureau > National Revenue Center > 550 Main Street Suite 8002 > Cincinnati, Ohio 45202 > Toll Free 1-877-TTB-FAQS (1-877-882-3277) > (513)-684-3334 > > To learn more about alcohol fuel production check out this site. http://running\_on\_alcohol.tripod.com ---
**Author:** ![toadspittle](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/c0e974/32.png) [@toadspittle](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/toadspittle)\ **Post date:** [June 21, 2007, 8:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-not-make-ethanol-at-home/408896/4 "2007-06-21T20:08:44Z")
Aside from the obvious moonshining can of worms it opens, I think your bigger problem would be wasting more fuel on the creation of ethanol than you would get out of it. In other words, you’d spend more money/fuel on burning the propane/natural gas/coal/wood needed to heat the distiller than you would gain from the end product. So, in a Mad Max situation where you have loads of firewood (or pig manure) but no access to refined gasoline to run your car, then yes, it makes sense. But in terms of being an economically sensible way to fuel your car? No. Plus, from the govt.'s standpoint, you now have tons of people putting god knows what into their car engines, emitting god knows what into the atmosphere. EDIT: I stand corrected. Duke’s link is great–a solar still solves the above fuel waste issue (although not the govt. regulation of emissions issue). ---
**Author:** ![sweeteviljesus](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/898d66/32.png) [@sweeteviljesus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/sweeteviljesus)\ **Post date:** [June 21, 2007, 8:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-not-make-ethanol-at-home/408896/5 "2007-06-21T20:14:00Z")
If you want to run E85 or pure ethanol, you may need to make engine modifications. You will also need to make half again as much ethanol as gasoline, or 36 gal/week in your case. I believe you will also owe fuel taxes per gallon. The streets don’t pave themselves. FWIW, Rob ---
**Author:** ![WarmNPrickly](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/d78d45/32.png) [@WarmNPrickly](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/WarmNPrickly)\ **Post date:** [June 21, 2007, 8:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-not-make-ethanol-at-home/408896/6 "2007-06-21T20:53:21Z")
Aside from the legal aspects getting ethanol distilled up to a usable concentration requires some pretty special equipment. I don’t know how water-free the fuel has to be, but getting it to 95% ethanol requires a helluva collumn. Beyond that, distillation just plain doesn’t work. I can’t imagine that excess water is good for any engine. ---
**Author:** ![NurseCarmen](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/5daacb/32.png) [@NurseCarmen](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/NurseCarmen)\ **Post date:** [June 21, 2007, 8:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-not-make-ethanol-at-home/408896/7 "2007-06-21T20:59:08Z")
Plus you might confuse your ethanol still with your moonshine still, and turn you off the drink entirely. That is best to be avoided. ---
**Author:** ![powerjacob](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/f05b48/32.png) [@powerjacob](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/powerjacob)\ **Post date:** [June 21, 2007, 9:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-not-make-ethanol-at-home/408896/8 "2007-06-21T21:17:20Z")
[QUOTE=NurseCarmen] Plus you might confuse your ethanol still with your moonshine still, and turn you off the drink entirely. That is best to be avoided. [/QUOTE] :dubious: Is it the one on the left or the one on the right? :smack: