Living Off The Grid

Guest Post By Adaptive Curmudgeon: January 2010

Biodiesel, like anything “new” and “alternative”, is sometimes presented in an oversimplified or misleading way. I’d like to cut through the fog and establish a few simple ideas as factual. This brief article, the first in a series, should start things on the right track. Later articles will talk about how to make biodiesel and how to use it.

Biodiesel is almost identical to diesel fuel and it can be made by any reasonably adept person. It is usually made from used (waste) vegetable oil but it is not the same thing as using vegetable oil as a fuel directly. Biodiesel can be used for much the same purposes as regular diesel. Making it is not effortless but it is definitely worth considering. Before you take the plunge here are some facts to get you started…

Biodiesel Facts:

Fact #1. There are diesel engines and gas engines. If your car, truck, tractor, or bulldozer is equipped with a diesel engine then you may be able to use biodiesel in it. If it’s a gas engine then you can’t.

Fact #2. Some furnaces run on what is called “fuel oil” or “furnace oil”. This too is diesel fuel.

Diesel gets a bad reputation because it can gel at cold temperatures. In my opinion this causes more hand wringing than it merits. Here’s some basic information about biodiesel and cold weather:

Fact #3. In frigid temperatures both biodiesel and regular diesel may gel. The temperature at which this starts is called “cloud point”. Diesel treated to lower it’s cloud point is sold as “diesel #1″. It stays fluid at much lower temperatures but costs more. During summer and in warm locations it’s a moot point and additives aren’t needed. Untreated diesel is sometimes called “diesel #2″. Diesel #1 and #2 will readily blend in any ratio you choose. In my area, stations sometimes offer “winter blends” which are a compromise between expensive #1 and cheaper but less cold hardy #2. You can also buy additives that will lower cloud point. (These are not the same as the additives you’d use in a gasoline system!) I keep a bottle in my truck for “emergencies” and it’s cheap insurance. None of this matters until it’s cold enough that you need to use an ice scraper on your truck’s windshield.

Fact #4. Biodiesel performs much like diesel #2 in that it’ll gel at temperatures you might encounter in the winter in the north. If you’re driving into a blizzard in North Dakota you should take reasonable precautions. If it’s August or you live in Phoenix, you have nothing to worry about.

Whenever you do anything there is a regulation involved. As far as I can tell nobody knows all the rules for every State (I sure don’t!) but I’ll try to clear up what I can:

Fact #5. Fuel used by any vehicle driven on the road is taxable. Both gasoline and “on road” diesel is taxed at the pump so you probably never even knew it. Diesel fuel meant for “off road” use such as bulldozers, tractors, and home furnaces is tax exempt and is significantly cheaper. Untaxed diesel fuel has red dye added. It’s readily available in farm country and it’s fine in your furnace or tractor. The only real difference between “off road” or “red dyed” diesel and “on road” diesel is taxes.

Fact #6. I was originally frustrated because biodiesel is something of a gray area and I didn’t know what to to about taxes. Uncharacteristically an uneasy truce between biodiesel makers and regulators seems to be evolving. Things remain reasonably civil between the two and States don’t often run amok chasing down some clueless hobbyist who made a little fuel of his own. In fact, some folks ignore the paperwork entirely. On the other hand that’s not an airtight answer and if you’re uptight like me you can take relief in generous (in my opinion) and clearly written exemptions for the home biodiesel maker. Also you might save enough making your own fuel that a cutting a check to the State every now and then for a few bucks in taxes is worth the clean conscience. What you do is up to you. Tax law is complicated enough I can’t cover it in this article and it varies by State. I encourage you to go ahead and check it out for your State rather than feeling oppressed and paranoid. You may be pleasantly surprised.

Fact #7. If you make fuel on your property and use it on your property; whether it’s used plowing fields or heating the garage, that’s your own business and road taxes don’t come into play.

That’s a lot to digest but I think it’s important to get the facts straight right out of the starting gate. My next article will discuss making biodiesel in more detail and what to expect.

More Biodisel Resources:

• The Biodiesel Fuel Processor
• My Experiences with Biodiesel
• Making Biodiesel the Simple Way
• Biodiesel Websites