Denatured Alcohol Stove Fuel: Skin Contact Dangers?

R

Return of the J.D.

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I've been experimenting with alcohol stoves (using them outside for cooking at home, to keep from heating the house through use of the electric kitchen appliances during 110-degree-plus weather). As I've been getting the hang of caring for and feeding alcohol stoves (the Svea/Trangia Swedish mil-surp variety), I've found it's hard not to get the denatured alcohol fuel on my hands now and then.

Just how hazardous is this? I have heard that the methanol, or some of it, might be absorbable through the skin--but just how much of a hazard is this, in small quantities (say up to a tablespoon, if one really messes up with filling the fuel bottle, etc.)? I've been washing my hands after any such spills, but am just wondering how paranoid one has to be about this.

Thanks!
 
I've had methylated spirit (same thing) on my hands plenty of times, it's done me no harm.

Methanol *is* a really serious poison, especially to the liver, and can be absorbed through the skin. But it is present in only a small percentage and rapidly evapourates from the skin's heat.

I used to be a head of science in a school, specialising in chemistry, so I've handled the stuff rather a lot. Like I say, it's done me no harm.

Just don't drink it!!!

Cheers,
Rick.
 
You should be paranoid. A tablespoon of methanol isn't going to kill you, but if ingested it would likely cause blindness. Absorption through skin and inhalation would require more than that, but probably not a lot more.

Here's the problem - a lot of places list denatured alcohol as ethanol with a small amount of methanol (1-2%) added. If that's what you're getting, it's not going to be all that poisonous and as long as you don't drink large quantities of it you'll be fine. But there is no standard for what constitutes denatured alcohol. I buy Crown brand from Home Depot. I just looked up the MSDS out of curiosity and here is the composition:

Methanol: 65-75%
Ethanol: 20-30%
Isopropanol: <10%
Methyl Isobutyl Ketone: <10%

Jesus, that's almost pure methanol. I think I'll be shopping for another brand in the future.
 
Rich_S said:
I buy Crown brand from Home Depot. I just looked up the MSDS out of curiosity and here is the composition:

Methanol: 65-75%
Ethanol: 20-30%
Isopropanol: <10%
Methyl Isobutyl Ketone: <10%

Jesus, that's almost pure methanol. I think I'll be shopping for another brand in the future.
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Crikey, I wouldn't touch that stuff with a ten foot pole! The stuff I always bought (from a chem supplier) was about 2% methanol.
 
Return of the J.D. said:
I've been experimenting with alcohol stoves (using them outside for cooking at home, to keep from heating the house through use of the electric kitchen appliances during 110-degree-plus weather). As I've been getting the hang of caring for and feeding alcohol stoves (the Svea/Trangia Swedish mil-surp variety), I've found it's hard not to get the denatured alcohol fuel on my hands now and then.

Just how hazardous is this? I have heard that the methanol, or some of it, might be absorbable through the skin--but just how much of a hazard is this, in small quantities (say up to a tablespoon, if one really messes up with filling the fuel bottle, etc.)? I've been washing my hands after any such spills, but am just wondering how paranoid one has to be about this.

Thanks!
Click to expand...

Keep it off your hands and don't cook in a closed space-- as in don't breathe the fumes. You will absorb some through your skin. Would I freak out if some spilled on my hands? No-- and I've done the same thing experimenting with stoves. Washing your hands isn't a bad thing, but the stuff has been absorbed before you can wash it off. If I were using it every day, then gloves would do the trick.
 
As long as you're not drinking or bathing in it, or huffing it, it's not a serious issue. Even with that 75% methanol stuff.
 
I have some S-L-X brand denatured alcohol (carried at Walmart and Home Depot). It's been a while since I looked at the MSDS, but IIRC it is at least 55% methanol. I excercise caution when handling it, I don't need to absorb any through my skin.
 
I use the HEET brand of alcohol. It's anti freeze for fuel lines IIRC.

I put it in a small (4oz) saline bottle (from contact lens solution) I don't get any on my hands and it works great. I have bigger bottles laying around, too.
 
Hey Guys..

no problem, unless you ingest it....

Unless you've got Parkinsons and you are spilling it All over yourself...

If you've got issues with it,, just head to the store and buy a bottle of Everclear grain alcohol..
You can run it in yuor stove as well as add it to your drinks around the campfire..

Problem solved...

ttyle

Eric
O/ST
 
Normark said:
Everclear grain alcohol..
You can run it in yuor stove as well as add it to your drinks around the campfire...
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It's more expensive but it would be quite the way to roll!

It would go well with the "every item has more than one purpose" mantra.
 
I've been using PGA in my stove since I bought it. Yeah it is more expensive, but it can serve more than one purpose. But I don't use my stove too much. Still on my first fifth. Mostly my stove lives in my bob.
 
I :D Normarks idea :D
I don't have an alcohol stove so I don't know :o
Looked at a bottle we got from wallyworld , for first aid ,
It's 91% Isopropyl Alcohol , Inactive ingredient water .
Would that work for a stove ?

Phil
 
I think the 91% isopropanol will probably work OK. Figure Everclear is about 95%, with the remaining 5% presumably something non toxic like water.
 
1894 said:
I :D Normarks idea :D
I don't have an alcohol stove so I don't know :o
Looked at a bottle we got from wallyworld , for first aid ,
It's 91% Isopropyl Alcohol , Inactive ingredient water .
Would that work for a stove ?

Phil
Click to expand...

It'll work, but isopropyl alcohol burns cooler and smokier than other alcohols.
 
Isopropyl Alcohol will work in the stove's but leave's a black oily soot film on your pot or cup. seems to get all over every thing in your pack and is a royal pain in the A$$ to get off
 
Hey 2dogs if you see some russian guys share a bottle of water in a resturant it would more then likely taste like Vodka lol......

Sasha
 
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