Making biodiesel?

Question

Diesel where I live is at $4.60/gal right (f'ing ridiculous), and I'm trying to start making my own biodiesel. Is it really cheaper to buy all the ingredients to make the biodiesel then just paying the $4.60 (soon to be $5/gal this summer)?

I'm willing to put the effort in making it, I just don't see which one is cheaper.

Answer 1

The website www.biodieselcommunity.org is another very good site. Their are instructions there on how to make a processor out of an old electric water heater. Its getting harder and harder to find and keep a good supply of oil where i live, more and more people are starting to get into svu and bio diesel around here. My dad and i are looking at having to start buying the oil from the restaurants, even the large rendering companies are starting to pay them for it instead of charging them to haul it off.

Answer 2

Well if you want to make bio diesel which is different then useing it in a SVO system, you need to filter the oil and heat it to about 120 degrees, to prevent the oil from getting thick or lumpy. then mix in lye (sodium hydroxide) and methanol to start the transesterification. you should get bio diesel on top and glycerin on bottom. this is just a quick overview you should go to http://www.biodieselmake.com/ it gives a better set of instructions. I make it using used cooking oil, but almost any form of organic oil will work. as for any modifications if you are using Bio diesel and not a SVO ( straight vegetable oil) then you most likely do not need to modify your vehicle. But Biodiesel.org will be able to help you know for sure. As for it being cheaper as long as you have a cheap source of oil it is. Most fast food places give it away so you can make it very cheap.