Geoff, thanks for the offer. I've got several dead tree books on distilling
and apparatus... that's my problem: too many books, not enough time hands-on
actually building the stuff. (Damn that Lindsay...)

I do want to try converting an '86 Dodge pickup with a slant-6 to run on
ethanol and try making the fuel. I've got a couple plans for stills - no big
trick to building one. The trick is getting the heat source and the mash
source (the stuff that turns into alcohol) for free, or at least dirt cheap.
I think the waste oil burner is a good answer for the former, and there is
an abundnace of foodstuffs that get tossed out that could easily be
fermented and then used as fertilizer.

I'm looking for some references now on building/converting a steam boiler.
The most efficient way to run the still is to pump live steam into the mash
(fermented liquid) rather than just build a fire under the tank.
Unfortunately all my references to steam revolve around train engines. What
I'd like is a reference on low-pressure (30 psi) steam applications.

Mike

"geoff merryweather" wrote in message
...
On Sun, 4 Jan 2004 21:31:34 -0500, "michaeltcooper"
wrote:

Glad you found it useful. The Journey To Forever site is very helpful on
lots of stuff. Good links to tons of info on homebrew stills. I'm
planning
to build a waste oil heater to fire an ethanol still to get 190 proof,
uh,
fuel. (Personal distillation for internal consumption is illegal in the
US.
Go figure - you can *legally* brew beer and wine (and drink it) but it's
illegal to extract the alcohol you have created... It is, however, legal
to
extract alcohol for use as a fuel.
There are a couple of PD e-books on distillation around - email me if
you want em. Distillation is legal here (New Zelaand) and I can buy a
still over the counter. Can't sell the booze, and it is "for home use
only". I think there is a limit ~50l per year before Customs starts to
take an active interest.
I haven't checked to see if waste oil is as readily available as it used
to
be - I suspect that the Environazis make the typical oil change places
account for every drop.
Around here, it is a PIA to get rid of the stuff. It is one reason
the car has been going in to the garage for the oil changes recently.
Geoff