How to make biodiesel?

[Guy]

I was watching the series on the BBC it's hard being green and they were making biodiesel. From what they said they weren't mixing in lye but they cleaned and dried the oil then used a large reactor where they heated the oil with glycerine. Seems a much easier process than most I've seen on the web. Take this for an example it lists a 14 step process and not a 3 or 4 as in the program.

How Biodiesel Is Made - Collaborative Biodiesel Tutorial


Anyone actually tried this at home? Would be interested in hearing some results!

[stumpyjim]

Hmm I have not tried it. I dont know how long it will be before I try it either. I would like to hear some other peoples opinion on this.

[steppysteph]

I am not very familiar with biodiesel but it looks complicated to do. It might even be dangerous to do it yourself. Maybe it is better to buy.

[Carl]

The tutorial makes the process look simple enough but I think that preparing biodiesel at home in sufficient quantities would incur some serious safety risks. The domestic storage of methanol and lye is not something I'd want to do.

[Guy]

I just can't believe you have to pay duty on the biodiesel you make at home! To me that's such an obvious 'quick win'. No duty or taxes on home made biodiesel and you'd see far more collectives spring up. You don't need to make it yourself, but groups of like minded people could get together and make it in sufficient quantities.

I know a town in Germany is doing something like this, anyone heard of it anywhere else?

[Kitten]

I didn't know it was even possible to try to make it yourself. I thought it was a huge process that required lots of special techniques and equipment, but I guess it's more simple than that.

[Green-Moo]

My b/friend went on a course on how to make biodiesel last year, but we've not had the space or the equipment to have a go yet.