[Stoves] Methanol stove fuel. was Re: [Gasification] Methanoltoxicity?

[Crispin Pemberton-Pigott]

Dear Paul

Thanks for asking the question.  Very relevant these days.

Denatured alcohol is apparently ethanol with a bitter additive to keep it 
off the booze market, coloured to show it is 'different'.  It is still plain 
ethanol.  It burns quite well.  It has an octane rating of 106 if you want 
to throw it into your street dragster.

Drinking Denatured Alcohol - A Practical Guide

Cut off one end of a load of break

Pour the denatured alcohol into the end holding the bread vertically with 
the open end on top so the alcohol runs through the length of the loaf.  It 
will eventually pass out of the bottom into a container in which you collect 
it.

This effect, running the denatured product through a yeasty bread, renders 
the product drinkable - at least if your REALLY need a drink.

Then, to dilute the yukky taste a little more and to share it with your 
(drinking) friends, heat a bucket of water on a small fire - not too hot 
because you will have to swallow it quickly.

The add what quantity of 'strained' alcohol you have to the bucket and drink 
as much as you can as fast as you can.  The hot water will ensure that the 
alcohol is taken up rapidly through the stomach wall and quick as a flash, 
you are drunk!

There is no warning needed with this list of instructions.  The denaturing 
agent in the ethanol provides its own bitter lesson.  This method of having 
fun with friends was provided to me by a reliable source though I have not 
taken steps to confirm the veracity of its assertions.

Best regards
Crispin the tea-totaller