From Flu Wiki 2

Forum: Rubbing Alcohol

30 January 2006

Kristy – at 17:57

Is anyone stock piling rubbing alcohol as a disinfectant around the house? Thinking it could maybe even be useful on plastic masks?

I could be way off though.

Sandi – at 18:10

Hi New here! Yes i’m stockpiling rubbing alcohol. Seems like a good idea

hvac – at 18:16

you cant use bleach on everything…..it will also double as a possible cooking fuel…thinkin its a good idea too. cant seem to find it in bulk containers locally.

Kristy – at 18:16

I’m thinking it is too.

hoggie – at 18:17

What’s rubbing alcohol - I have seen it suggested but when I asked at a chemist recently she looked at me as if I was mad

hoggie

Poppy – at 18:24

I don’t know about rubbing alcohol but there are loads of things that can work as a disinfectant. Some are stronger than others. I personally would recommend a multi-pronged approach to disinfectants. We have rabbits and often use Vinegar to clean cages because it is a mild disinfectant. White vinegar is okay but cider vinegar is an even stronger cleaner. Common houshold items I would keep for such purposes are Vinegar, alcohol, and bleach. Still there is another product available that many in the US are not familiar with, unless they raise rabbits or other livestock. Vanodine. It is being imported from the UK by a woman named Barbi Brown, a California Rabbit Breeder. What is Vanodine? The following is from her website: Vanodine is a strong disinfectant, that inactivates all types of organisms, viruses, bacteria and even fungi. Yet it is gentle enough for use in sanitizing pets drinking water and spray directly in the eye or nose or on open wounds. FEATURES: Low Toxicity, Wide Killing Spectrum, Deep Penetration, Long Shelf Life, Non-Flammable, Visible activity, Low Cost, Non Corrosive, Contains no alcohol, Cleans and Disinfects in one operation, Active in the presence of organic matter, Biodegradable, stable and safe to use. I personally have even used it to clean pet stains from our carpeting. It cleaned very easily, left no stains and the house smelled clean but not perfumed afterwards. The following link will take you to the page on her website where you can learn about Vanodine. There is a link to the order form and price list at the bottom of the page. http://www.barbibrownsbunnies.com/fam30.htm

hvac – at 18:26

rubbing alchol is generally sold as isopropyl alchol or ethyl alchol…dont know the difference….but in solutions at or above 70% are siid to be an effective first measure for disinfecting germs and viruses..(antiseptic)

anyone please correct me if im wrong alcohol is a compound how could a chemist not know?

Eccles – at 18:26

Rubbing alcohol as it is sold in the US is a 70% solution of iso-Propanol in water. This is what normally is contained in the bottles marked as “Rubbing Alcohol”. (And I would be suspicious of any US pharmacist who never heard of it.

It is also possible to purchase a higher concentration blend of 90% iso-propanol. it is much harsher on the skin, but kills germs better, and burns better if used as an impromptu fuel.

Hoggie - By your use of the term “chemist” I assume you are either in Britain or Australia. I really don’t know what the equivalent name is over there, but I’m sure there is one.

April – at 18:30

Hoggie, you are not from the US?

Rubbing alcohol is an alcohol intended to be rubbed on the skin. Frequently 70% iso-propyl alcohol / 30% water is used.

http://www.faqfarm.com/Q/When_do_you_use_rubbing_alcohol

Melanie – at 18:30

hvac,

Rubbing Alcohol is isopropyl alcohol. Ask the chemist for that. Ethyl alcohol is grain spirits, also known as Ever-Clear and it is a beverage alcohol, tho’ it can also be used for disinfecting.

hvac – at 18:33

thanks

maryrose – at 18:57

I was under the impression that one could use rubbing alcohol in a bath for someone suffering from fever. Am I wrong on this?

Fla_Medic – at 19:09

Maryrose, the use of rubbing alcohol to reduce fever has been discouraged in recent years. It’s evaporative effects do cool the skin, but it is also very drying, and in small children and infants, there is some worry about absorbtion thru the skin.

Plain water is probably best.

hoggie – at 19:11

Sorry - I’m in the UK. Isopropyl alcohol I know. It must be the rubbing bit that she didn’t understand! LOL If it is 70% I don’t know if we can buy it over the counter though - I know that some alcohol you have to have a license to buy. hoggie

crfullmoon – at 19:45

That is not the drinking kind of alcohol. I’m not sure why it would be a problem.

I have some for use on surfaces for disinfecting, I use it for disinfecting thermometers, tweezers, ect, and I may use it as fuel; to heat a cup of water or something, if I have to.

Alcohol can be put in a pump spray bottle for disinfecting large surfaces, but, label the bottle largely and clearly what it is, so no one mistakes it for water, and keep it away from heat/fire. (For that matter, vinegar could be put into a spray pump bottle, too, I just haven’t done that yet, but I have a couple of empty spray bottles, for that, or, for bleach.)

anon_22 – at 19:53

In the context of pandemic flu, the most handy use for alcohol is as a spray for surfaces, but especially when you go to public areas and you cannot avoid touching certain items, such as door handles and elevator buttons. Just give it a squirt and wait a few seconds before touching. Alcohol kills viruses quite quickly even though this is not foolproof. You should still wash your hands when you get home.

AVanartsat 20:05

I’m a Chemist. The US kind who works with chemicals. I’ll try to give a quick breakdown.

As pointed out earlier, Rubbing Alcohol here in the US is usually 70% Isopropanol. Isopropanol is a 3 carbon alcohol with the “OH” group that makes it an alcohol attached to the center carbon. DO NOT drink this stuff, it is toxic.

Ethanol is grain alcohol, the drinking kind. (two carbons)

Denatured Alcohol is Ethanol that has something toxic added to make it unfit for drinking. Often Methanol is used as a denaturing agent. I have also seen things like Toluene used.

Methanol is wood alcohol (one carbon) and is toxic. It will make you go blind if you drink it. DO NOT drink. When I was a kid, I used Methanol in the alcohol lamp that came with my chemistry set. The last time I tried, I was able to buy it at a pharmacy in Oregon, but had to sign for it.

I would imagine those are about the only alcohols that you are likely to run into.

01 March 2006

anonymous – at 16:09

Rubbing alcohol is essentially the USA term for what Brits call surgical spirit.

Eccles – at 16:13

Anonymous - In the US the two products that I see labelled as “Rubbing Alcohol” are Isopropanol 70% concentration in water, and Isopropanol 91% concentration in water. I have stocked the 91% version as it can be diluted further to achieve the 70% concentration, or left in the 91% form and used as a more powerful disinfectant as well as a cooking fuel.

Hillbilly Bill – at 16:27

Eccles - I have several bottles of the 91% stashed away for the same reasons you mentioned, (i.e. disinfectant and cooking fuel). Some days however I think that Ethanol might be a better choice.

Fla_Medic - I wish that information would have been available to my mother when I was young. Every time I got a fever she would douse me in alcohol until my temperature was in an acceptable range. Anybody who has ever experienced this will know what I am talking about.

Woody – at 16:29

What do they spray out of the pump up srayers you see them using on TV?

denniscra – at 16:32

I also keep some Hibiclens for killing bacteria- For skin and delicate items. I assume there may be some generic out there also. Ask your drugist. The main idea is that it takes up so much less volume in my cabinet.

Kim – at 16:39

I have bottles of both rubbing alcohol and hydrogen peroxide stashed. Some of the alcohol bottles have expiration dates on them. Do either of these two products ever actually go bad, or is the date stamp just there because of some regulation?

Eccles – at 16:41

Kim - To the best of my knowledge, everything sold in the US for medically related use has to have an expiration date stamped on it. Although there is a date on the label, in actuality as long as the bottle stays sealed, then the alcohol should do just fine. It isn’t going to decompose into anything else, and without an evaporation path, it should retain pretty much the same concentration. Once you open the bottle, then the alcohol will leave as vapor, reducing the concentration below the label level. This would render it unacceptable for medical use since it no longer meets the description on the label, but should be just fine for anything I can anticipate you doing with it.

Now, in the case of Hydrogen Peroxide, the H2O2 molecule IS rather unstable, and over time will denature into H2O (water) plus O2 (oxygen).

Thus, in my own existence, I sort of pay attention to the expiration date on Hydrogen Peroxide (I take it as a suggestion, not as a rigid rule), but pretty much ignore the dating on alcohol unless the stuff is like ten years over date.

Patch – at 17:56

OK. Ethanol…can it be used as a disinfectant, very similar to Isopropyl alochol? Ethanol could be very “multi-purpose”.

Felicia – at 19:32

We call chemists pharmacists

Eccles – at 19:48

Patch - Ethanol is also known as grain alcohol or drinkin’ alcohol. It is not legal in the US to buy it unless it is taxed as liquor. The ethanol which is sold as a solvent is “denatured”, which means it has other noxious solvents added to it to make it poisonous to drink. If you buy ethanol as Vodka (about 50% dilution give or take) or as EVERCLEAR (about 93% give or take) then you will be getting ethanol (plus some amount of water). Otherwise, if you want to use ethanol, the safest way to buy it in a form fit to apply to a person is as the disinfectant gels already prepared for you and sold for that purpose.

02 March 2006

Jane – at 15:47

When you say alcohol can be used as a fuel, I presume you mean in a stove with a nozzle, not in a can like sterno? It’s pretty volatile so the burn would have to be controlled, I’m guessing. Even a kerosene lamp would take up too much fuel for alcohol to be used, wouldn’t it? (Man, I can just hear some of the more knowledgeable people groaning at the degree of ignorance out here. :/ )

Lorelle – at 15:56

I just ordered a cheap beer can type alcohol backpackers stove on E-bay. I’d rather pay $10 than cut up my fingers on cans. Now I’m trying to find out where’s the best place to buy denatured alcohol. Hardware stores? Or is there a cheaper way?

Eccles – at 16:09

Jane - There is a neat design of alcohol stove that produces a burner pattern like a gas stove. it uses a fairly small amount of fuel and is very efficient. There have been a number of designs published which use old beer cans to make them out of. but you can also buy them ready made (like Trangia, or Thermojet). Here’s a link to a reasonably good comparison of different stove technologies LINK

Lorelle - Look for the automotive product HEET in the yellow plastic bottle. It can usually be found for under $1, and at this time of year it can sometime be found on sale. The HEET in the red bottle is a different type of alcohol which burns less cleanly, so stick with the yellow. Otherwise, you can buy all the alcohol you could ever want in a good hardware store, usually in the pain department. If you need the specific product name, just ask me.

denniscra – at 16:16

about HEET - HEAT, The material they use to get water out of gas lines is methanol. You should be warned about the health problems from methanol. Poison, blindness,.. I would not want to burn it in a closed space. Ethanol is a better approach if you are going to cook with it.

Hillbilly Bill – at 16:20

Jane - You can use methanol or alcohol in a sterno can as fuel. To make it safer, loosely fill the can with fiberglass insulation. The insulation “wicks” the alcohol from the bottom of the can. Although not as safe as the jelled sterno, it can be used in a pinch. I do not recommend using just an open can of fuel to cook with. I have tried this (outside luckily) and it resulted in my wife exclaiming “What is that fire out in the driveway!”

Lorelle – at 16:21

Thank you both. I will look for Heet in the yellow plastic bottle, read up on dangers, and hopefully find a way to provide air circulation when using it. AND hopefully use it for a backpacking trip instead of a pandemic!

denniscra – at 16:33

For a small fuel source I just use lint from the dryer and mixed with melted Vaseline. (sometimes a little wax to firm it up). Just don’t set fire to it as you melt the Vaseline. - Not as good as sterno but cheap (like me).

Eccles – at 16:46

Lorelle - Always be extremely careful when burning any kind of fuel in the house, especially a liquid fuel where it can spill while burning, or flare over as happened to Bill. Always have it someplace like a metal tray, and never leave it unattended.

Lorelle – at 16:54

Yes sir.

Chris – at 17:36

Stay clear of methanol (methyl alcohol). Not only is it toxic if ingested, but it is the smallest molecular alcohol and passes through the skin readily - so you can be poisoned simply rubbing on skin. It also doesn’t smell as strongly as longer chained alcohols, so is harder to identify in a pinch.

Pharmacy Ethyl alcohol is suitable for external use, but the danaturants leave behind a nasty residue after the ethanol evaporates that tastes horrible. Of course, this is to keep you from drinking it. You have to pay extra to get the stuff that hasn’t been poisoned. (Yes they add poison ONLY to make sure you pay the special alcoholic beverage taxes!) Anyways, if you disinfect your hands with the stuff you then have to wash them under water to get rid of the bitterness before you touch anything you may eat or put in your mouth.

Isopropyl Alcohol is the best choice for household disinfecting: It is sold mixed with nothing but water, so no residue. It is a bigger molecule, so you don’t absorb much through the skin. It is toxic, but not scary blindness toxic like methanol - accidental ingestion isn’t pleasant, you will barf, but you will recover.

I prefer 91%, which is common throughout the U.S. I know some Safeway stores also carry 99%. Remember, you can aways dilute stonger solutions with water, but you can’t (easily) get the water out of 70% stuff if you need to.

Devils Advocate – at 17:40

“Pharmacy Ethyl alcohol is suitable for external use, but the danaturants leave behind a nasty residue after the ethanol evaporates that tastes horrible “

Erm….may I ask how you know this ?

Chris – at 18:05

Kim - Alcohol, kept in a closed container, will never go bad.

Hydrogen Peroxide is another story. It is not a stable molecule: Heat, time and ESPECIALLY any contamination inside the bottle and you end up with water and oxygen. When peroxide bubbles, like on a cut, it is actually decomposing. Any dust or dirt (especially metalilc or organic) that gets inside a bottle will catalyze decomposition - even placing a cloth over the opening of the bottle is enough. Worse, if your cap is TOO tight, the oxygen gas evolved build up pressure and burst the container. Anything more than the 3% solutions can be hazardous.

H202 is not a great disinfectant, either. It IS a good eco-firendly bleach alternative and handy stain remover because its less harsh than hypochlorite bleaches.

Devils Advocate – at 18:07

Chris…I really want to know how you know what it tastes like ? :)

Chris – at 18:08

Devils… for me, its biting my nails, but even touching your lips with your fingers and the taste is unbearable.

Devils Advocate – at 18:09

I believe you Chris……honest I do :)

Chris – at 18:13

devils… the amount of residue is minute and invisible. Most people don’t realize how often they put their fingers on or in their mouths until their fingers taste awful.

Devils Advocate – at 18:15

Chris…im playing wuth you m8. I know you are serious. I was simply having a bit of fun. I know you are the real deal and probably much more intelligent in matters such as this.

Eccles – at 18:17

And yet, I’ll bet that somewhere out there is a Homer Simpson type going:

Hmmmmm Denatured Alcohol taste. Hurrrrrgggghhhh.

Devils Advocate – at 18:18

lol

Chris – at 18:20

I admit it… my hobby is tasting and reviewing denatured alcohol blend residues. I have a newsletter.

Devils Advocate – at 18:24

Chris I salute you….for being so dammned honest. If not honest at least you have made me smile m8 :)

Melanie – at 18:25

During WWII, sailors would pass it through a loaf of bread to get rid of the de-naturing compounds in order to drink it. Homer would know that.

Devils Advocate – at 18:45

mmmmm compounds…arghhhhh

anonymous – at 19:17

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Isopropanol Isopropanol is very handy to have a few liters of. I will use it to make my own desinfectant wipes, (se the wiki link) for a very cheaper price. Its flamable, and has to be 70% to disinfect. A much cheaper alternative will be to use carwindow fluid, consentrate. Mostly made off pure drinking (ethanol) alkohol that is added very small part of amonia, anti drinkings stuff, and some lemon perfume. Advantage is that alcohol desinfectant will dry in secunds, and it will not destroy things that cant handle water (but it removes ink from paper!)

Take a packets of small paper tissues, put them in a tight pocket sixed plastic box, soak with 7 parts isopropanol, 2 parts water, an 1 part glyserin. (glyserin prevents skin dryness) This mixture I also will be using in small pocket sized spray bottles, to wash hands and other items when no hotwater tap is around, you will not need paper towels because it will dry in some secunds

If you drink ispropanol you will be drunk in many weeks, and it is very bad for your health!

Kristy, se the “Reuse masks” tread on on the issue of desinfecting mask filters.

anonymous – at 19:19

ops.., the amunt of isopropanol must be 70%, so if you start out with a 70% solution you cant add water..

Homesteadmom – at 19:49

I work in healthcare and I find cavicide is the best all around germ killer. The bottle sprays a fine mist and you can spray furniture and all surfaces, even pillows with no residual effects “that I know of”. Also the smell is decent and disappears quickly. I plan to keep a gallon on hand, got the empty 24oz spray bottles from work. http://tinyurl.com/px5a8

 HAZARDOUS INGREDIENTS are  Isopropanol Butyl Hyamine found hazmat stuff here http://tinyurl.com/qpjtd
Homesteadmom – at 19:51

Sorry, the three ingredients are Isopropanol,Butyl Cellosolve, and Hyamine 1622.

04 March 2006

Lorelle – at 14:15

OK Eccles: What’s the product name of the paint store alcohol, and is it good to cook with?

Eccles – at 14:30

Rats! I was just out today, and find this question. Lorelle, trust me to take a couple of days and then give you the answer when I have it nicely correct.

18 March 2006

crfullmoon – at 14:02

Hillbilly Bill, I have seen salt used, I think, instead of fiberglass insulation, to burn alcohol in a fireproof container.

Kathy in FL – at 14:09

I can’t see whether it has been mentioned here or not, but if you can get it, I would stock some surgical soap … that orange-y/rusty colored stuff. I think it is called benedine or something very similar.

It doesn’t smell pretty, but for washing hands and cleaning skin that needs to be disinfected, it is good.

kc_quiet – at 14:36

Betadine?

Kathy in FL – at 14:38

Thanks kc_quiet … couldn’t read the stinking label, didn’t have my glasses on. Guess I need to put an appoint with the eye doctor on my “to do asap” list. <grin>

Kathy in FL – at 14:41

Rice and Mushroom Burgers

(Vegetarian recipe from a friend. Calls for an egg, but you could use a soy flour/water substitute to make the recipe completely vegan.)

Heat olive oil in a skillet over medium high heat. Add onions and garlic and saute until onions are soft. Remove from heat.

Place mushroom mixture in food processor outfitted with steel blade. Add rice and carrots and pulse a few times until mixture has a mealy consistency. Transfer to a large bowl and add bread crumbs and parsley. Mix well and season with salt, pepper and cayenne. Stir in egg. Shape into six patties and broil on a lightly greased baking sheet until browned, about 5 to 7 minutes per side.

Kathy in FL – at 14:42

Whoops … wrong thread. <blush> Ignore my previous post.

Eccles – at 14:53

Kathy - I get it. You’re opening the Bird Flu cafe and trying to publicize your menu items here for free :-)

Lorelle - I didn’t forget my promise. I have been to a bunch of places, and pretty much what is commonly available is labelled “DENATURED ALCOHOL”. it comes in metal 1 qt and 1 gallon cans, about $12/gallon. The interesting thing is that HEET, which is pure Methanol is $1 per 12 ounces and is actually cheaper than the bulk canned stuff.

The labels on the commercial denatured alcohol lists one of its uses as stove fuel for marine stoves. The actual constituent alcohols are not labelled in the english text, but there are some listed in the Spanish text on the same cans. Since it is listed as DENATURED, what you get is guaranteed to include some toxic ingredients, but since you are burning it, not drinking it, it shouldn’t make all that much difference.

As Fla_Medic has pointed out, presurized alcohol stoves can tend to have some occasional unfortunate outbursts. There are also unpressurized alcohol stoves out there, as well as canned heat, sterno, propane and butane.

You pays yer money and takes yer chances.

Ima_Gardener – at 17:07

Vodka! I am storing Vodka!

Vodka is alcohol first and foremost.. go throw out that rubbing alcohol, can’t drink that rubbing stuff.. and what fun is that?! Use Vodka any place you would use that rubbing alcohol stuff.

Vodka is an anaesthetic, need to preform surgery, they drink until they pass out…bottoms up! and of course it will <wink> provide you courage to do it! but no bottoms up for you! just a wee sip.. ok maybe 2 sips!

Vodka is used to make tinctures so it becomes medicinal.

and of course if you have a party, ya slip a little into the punch!

need more reasons to buy a few gallons?

http://www.quantumbalancing.com/vodka.htm Vodka . . . Who would have thunk it?

1. To remove a bandage painlessly, saturate the bandage with vodka. The solvent dissolves the adhesive. 2. To clean the caulking around bathtubs and showers, fill a trigger- spray bottle with vodka, spray the caulking, let set five minutes and wash clean. The alcohol in the vodka kills mold and mildew. 3. To clean your eyeglasses, simply wipe the lenses with a soft, clean cloth dampened with vodka. The alcohol in the vodka cleans the glass and kills germs. 4. Prolong the life of razors by filling a cup with vodka and letting your safety razor blade soak in the alcohol after shaving. The vodka disinfects the blade and prevents rusting. 5. Spray vodka on vomit stains, scrub with a brush, then blot dry. 6. Using a cotton ball, apply vodka to your face as an astringent to cleanse the skin and tighten pores. 7. Add a jigger of vodka to a 12-ounce bottle of shampoo. The alcohol cleanses the scalp, removes toxins from hair, and stimulates the growth of healthy hair. 8. Fill a sixteen-ounce trigger-spray bottle and spray bees or wasps to kill them. 9. Pour one-half cup vodka and one-half cup water in a Ziploc freezer bag, and freeze for a slushy, refreshable ice pack for aches, pain, or black eyes. 10. Fill a clean, used mayonnaise jar with freshly packed lavender flowers, fill the jar with vodka, seal the lid tightly and set in the sun for three days. Strain liquid through a coffee filter, then apply the tincture to aches and pains. 11. Make your own mouthwash by mixing nine tablespoons powered cinnamon with one cup vodka. Seal in an airtight container for two weeks. Strain through a coffee filter. Mix with warm water and rinse your mouth. Don’t swallow. 12. Using a q-tip, apply vodka to a cold sore to help it dry out. 13. If a blister opens, pour vodka over the raw skin as a local anesthetic that also disinfects the exposed dermis. 14. To treat dandruff, mix one cup vodka with two teaspoons crushed rosemary, let sit for two days, strain through a coffee filter and massage into your scalp and let dry. 15. To treat an earache put a few drops of vodka in your ear. Let set for a few minutes. Then drain. The vodka will kill the bacteria that is causing pain in your ear. 16. To relieve a fever, use a washcloth to rub vodka on your chest and back as a liniment. 17. To cure foot odor, wash your feet with vodka. 18. Vodka will disinfect and alleviate a jellyfish sting. 19. Pour vodka over an area affected with poison ivy to remove the urushiol oil from your skin. 20. Swish a shot of vodka over an aching tooth. Allow your gums to absorb some of the alcohol to numb the pain.

Kim – at 18:55

Kathy in FL at 14:09, what you are thinking of is Betadine, or povidone iodine (the generic brands are WAY cheaper than Betadine, but are the same stuff). One of the best (cheapest) places to find it is at a feed store (Tractor Supply may have it, not sure). It’s used extensively by vets and farmers/ranchers. There is also a povidone iodine ointment available. BTW, iodine is an excellent fungicide as well as antibacterial.

19 March 2006

Eccles – at 00:02

Ima_Gardner - Why not use Everclear? When you buy vodka, you are getting a dilute version of ethanol and that makes it less suitable as a fuel. Everclear has almost none ofthe water, and none of the brand name-label snorfiness associated with vodka.

It has always amazed me how educated people can be convinced that one brand of ethanol and water is worth many times more than another brand of ethanol and water.

Also, have you ever used vodka as a stove fuel? How did that work out?

Melanie – at 00:15

And then there is the always popular pasta with vodka sauce which is gourmet treat.

Ima_Gardener – at 00:17

I have never seen everclear offered in California.. where can I buy it? I am willing to try something new.

Eccles – at 00:57

So Melanie - Just this very evening, at the high end snooty market that plebians may not enter, I spied, for the first time, a jar of Vodka pasta sauce. Since the recipe for Vodka is ethanol and water, and the ethanol boils out quickly upon heating, what’s left? Water sauce? What is it that’s so special about Vodka sauce?

Eccles – at 00:58

Ima - Everclear, is sold and taxed as an alcoholic beverage. Either in the liquor store, or the package store, or the off sale store, or the dtate store, depending upon where you live.

anonymous – at 01:34

Ima- I believe that everclear is illegal in california

Lorelle – at 23:19

Eccles, thank you once again. Your information is always so helpful. And free!

Ima_Gardener – at 23:57

anonymous-yes I am a Califorinan which makes sense that I have never herd of it. Sold in Arizona perhaps?

Eccles.. alcohol is sold in stores everywhere, both grocery and liquor stores and I have never seen it. But I will be on the look out for it!

thanks…

Ima old enough to drink! and that is about as much as Ima saying!

20 March 2006

Eccles – at 00:14

My pleasure Lorelle. And let me get those windows before you drive off. No extra charge.

Hillbilly Bill – at 08:28

While Everclear seems to be absent in the liquor stores here in WV, we have our own brand of darn near pure ethanol that can either be bought in the store, or up the “holler” depending on your preference.

Okieman – at 08:39

Hillbilly Bill – at 08:28

I’ve heard the old way of making sure that what you get up the “holler” is corn “squeezins” (ethanol, and fit for drinking) and not wood alcohol (deadly) is to see if it burns a blue flame. If it burns a blue flame it is supposed to be OK. Haven’t tried this myself because I’m not the “drinkin” kind, but that is what I have heard.

Hillbilly Bill – at 08:53

Okieman - not sure if that is a true test or not as the HEET I have purchased as backup fuel for my sterno stove also burns with a blue flame and it is 99.something pure metahanol. Actually, moonshine is hard to find anymore, those who seek to make money not taxed by the government have found that much more profit can be made growing a seasonal crop of a hemp-like material that has spiky leaves in odd-numbered patterns.

My apologies for diverting the topic of this thread.

Lily – at 10:47

I think some of the problems with moonshine was the lead used to put the copper parts of the still together. Not only is it bad, it stays in the system. Lead was used hundreds of years ago in the production of some wine. Beethovan had massive doses of lead in his hair (analyzed recently) which may have caused a lot of his physical problems, plus his crankiness.Of course we have mercury in our fish, and in some ways we are no better off than people were in the distant past.

Urdar - NO – at 11:27

there is no way you can see, smell or feel the difference between metanol or etanol.. You will need a lab to to that. Only a small glass is enough to get you blind or dead. Newer trust a bootle of alkohol you dont know for sure the orgin of. As a desifectant its brilliant, but the quality moonshine I would have saved for “inner desinfecting of my mind, during a long and tierdsome pandemic ;-)

Sahara – at 14:04

RE: Vodka sauce for pasta. There are flavor compounds in tomatoes that are not water soluble, but are soluble in alcohol. By pouring a shot of vodka over the tomatoes as they cook, all those wonderful flavors are realeased and you get a very flavorful sauce. Add a bit or cream and serve over gnocchi for my favorite meal. As long as I’m OT, did you know you can buy vacuume packed gnocchi that are shelf stable for three months? Its good, too. Now, if I can only keep it for 3 months before I eat it…

Back on the topic of rubbing alcohol: It is a pretty powerful solvent that can take the finish off of a lot of things, so I’d be hesitant to use it in a spray bottle for general disinfection needs. I once spilled some alcohol on the floor of my bathroom and watched as it ate through the protective top layer of the vinyl floor. You don’t even want to know what it does to varnished wood. My mother can tell you. She still hasn’t forgiven me.

Urdar - NO – at 17:11

The product used in medical offices here in my country, is a brand named “antibac” It comes in two versions, one is for skin. The content is mostly isopropanol, and glycerine. + two more types of alchohol not listed. It is 70% strong. If you use it often your skin will dry out, but it is the same chemical used in all desinfectant that is alchohol based. Even the gel is mostly made of this. And it is the common acohol in vipes as vell. That means you can make your own, by mixing like 8 parts iso, 1 parts water, 1 one part glycerol. That shold be around 65–80% http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Isopropanol A very usefull thing to have in the closet :-)

21 March 2006

anonymous – at 20:36

Please be very careful with rubbing alcohol! I made an ice pack of 2 parts water and 1 part rubbing alcohol and stuck it in my freezer. I did not label the baggie unfortunately and my hubby thought it was just ice and accidentally ingested some. Poison control believes it was diluted enough that we didn’t need to do anything, but it seems it doesn’t take much to cause problems. Even breathing it or soaking through the skin can cause poisoning, so I just want to put out a ‘caution’ about this.

26 May 2006

BroncoBillat 00:42

Old thread closed to speed Forum access

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BroncoBillat 00:59
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