Q&A for How to Make Ethanol Fuel

Yes, but only in flex fuel vehicles and small motors that can run on ethanol. Standard internal combustion engines can't run on ethanol alone, which is why you need to mix it to make E85.

Yes, you can use sugar instead of fruits and vegetables. However, the amount of sugar you'd need to purchase would cost more than simply purchasing ethanol.

Yes! Anything with sugar in it that happens to be biodegradable will work. It may just take a little longer for the food to ferment.

That's what the hydrometer is for. If the water content is zero and the liquid is perfectly clear, you have 100% pure ethanol.

It might work, but the odds aren't good. Distiller's yeast is resistant to alcohol, so it won't burn up as the fruits and vegetables ferment. Other forms of yeast aren't as resilient, so you're best off using the distiller's yeast.

Yes, a damaged fruit (i.e. bruise, cut, partially eaten) could be used.

Distilling alcohol gets you 96% of the way there. Due to the makeup of ethanol, there will still be 4% water, which can stop your engine from turning over. You need a molecular sieve sized 3a, to filter out the last bit. Zeolite balls can be dried out and used again.

Regarding the E85 ethanol petrol blend, this more powerful fuel is oxygenated and some of the volume is taken up by the oxygen. This means it also burns more thoroughly and faster, meaning in real terms up to 30% extra fuel by volume is needed. Also, cold starts are experienced between 5-15° C (40-60°F). This is negated by increasing the percentage of petrol in winter to 25%, so the E85 becomes more like E75. If you are lucky, there are E85 stations near by. But a big limitation for many people is that the infrastructure to support ethanol fuel doesn't exist in many places.

Unfortunately no. The yeast is necessary to break down the sugars in the biomaterial, which produces ethanol as a byproduct. Without yeast, far less ethanol would be produced.

You are allowed to make 2500 litres per year without a permit. Any more than that then you need to apply for one.

Sugar is the primary requirement, so if there is any then it might work. At least 9% sugar is required.

No. Not only would this be impractical, as it would add an unnecessary step to the distillation process, but it would also be unsafe, as it would involve heating gasoline and ethanol together in your reflux still.

Yes. The permit applies to the production of ethanol as well as it's permissible uses. Once you've obtained your permit, be sure to follow the provisions it outlines exactly to avoid any unfortunate legal consequences.

Yes, many states have regulations that are based on the federal regulations.

When you make the mixture, it comes to e100 until you mix it with gasoline, so yes.

Yes. If you are making/creating ethanol through any process for any reason, you need a permit.

Run a quick search for "homemade ethanol" plus the name of your country (as well as your particular town, province, or territory, as laws can differ greatly between regions). You should find the regulations for your country's authorizing agency among the first few results.

Yes, it is. Ethanol requires less costly materials and is easier to make.

No, you can't, because the distiller's yeast is resistant to alcohol, while baker's yeast is not.

Yes, that is possible. Anything (mainly fruits) that contain sugar can be used as an alternative.

Yes, yeasts are yeasts. The two components in their life as CO2 and ethanol.

Yes you can, but that would be called "sugar wash" and it is used in turning sugar cane into ethanol.

Actually, yes! Fruits and vegetables are great to use for fermenting into alcohol that you can then refine to ethanol. For the best results, you want to select sugary fruits and veggies that are slightly past their prime. Commercial-grade ethanol is most commonly made from corn, but you can get the same result using just about any type of produce with a naturally high sugar content like apples, bananas, pineapples, peaches, potatoes, and sugar beets. You can then add them into a barrel or drum about 1/3 of the way full and use a broom handle, wooden dowel, or something similar to churn and compact your biomaterial until it forms a mixture with a uniform texture. This will help release more of its natural sugars and create room to add the other necessary ingredient. Then, all you need to do is let the material ferment!

Yes, but you need to get permission first. You'll need to apply for authorization from the proper agency in your state or territory. If you live in the US, you can fill out the produce request form and submit it to the Alcohol and Tobacco Tax and Trade Bureau (TTB) for review. If they approve your request, they'll send you a document that gives you permission to ferment and distill ethanol at home. If you live outside of the US, you'll need to contact the governing body responsible for overseeing alcohol-related laws in your area for more information on how to legally produce ethanol. But if you get the right authorizations, you can do it!

The standard ratio used to turn pure ethanol into a reliable and safe fuel source is 85% purified ethanol and 15% gasoline. You can mix the two liquids in a clean gas can or similar container, and make sure you seal the container afterward. Once you've blended your ethanol with gasoline, you won't be able to use it for any purpose other than fuel. But keep in mind that some engines and local regulations require you to use a different amount of gasoline. Check the requirements of the engine you're fueling and look up local guidelines regarding ethanol and gasoline fuel to find out the correct ratio. Make sure you store your ethanol fuel at room temperature in a well-ventilated space.