Cooking oil and vegetable oil can be very harmful when dealing with stains on your clothing. A way to get rid of the stain of cooking oil or vegetable oil is to soak in very hot water that is safe for the article of clothing. Follow the steps below in order to remove this ugly spot. These steps will help get rid of the mark completely, or just enough so you can’t see it still.

Start by removing as much excess oil as you can from the clothing. You can use a dull knife or other non-sharp object to help remove this excess. Apply stain remover to the fabric for about three to five minutes so it will go completely through the fabric. Grab some liquid detergent and rub it through the fabric. Let the article of clothing then sit for about five minutes. Lastly, wash in the hottest water possible for the fabric. Make sure to check the tag to see what the hottest water temperature can be for the clothing. If the spot remains after washing in the machine, do not put the clothing into the dryer. This will make the mark stay on the clothing completely. If the spot remains, repeat the above steps until the stain is completely gone or non-visible. Your cooking oil or vegetable oil stain should not be there anymore.

Always check back to this site for tips and advice on cleaning. We are always here to help remove those nasty spots that are tough to get rid of!

“This article is brought to you by Gus Woltmann”.

Omega 3 flax seed oil is becoming increasingly popular these days because of unlimited health benefits associated with its consumption. Flax seed oil is a rich source of alpha linolenic acid (ALA) which is a long-chain omega 3 fatty acid. This fat is helpful in the prevention of many serious illnesses including cardiovascular disease and colon cancer.

Other constituents of omega 3 flax seed oil are protein, fiber, and lignans. All these substances are required for the promotion of overall health and for performing many functions of the body. Because of these reasons flax seed oil is very beneficial for people of all ages. It can be consumed in liquid form as well as in powdered form which is now available on the market.

Flax is more commonly known as linseed. It is a slender plant with blue flowers and was first originated from India. Its fruit contains small yellow seeds which are used in the making of flax seed oil. This oil is also used as a vegetable oil for cooking, salad dressing and some other purposes.

Omega 3 flax seeds in their raw form are not very easy to consume because they are quite heavy. People with a sensitive stomach should use flax seed oil which is processed and refined and does not feel heavy on the stomach. An alternative to consuming flax seed oil or other vegetable oils like hemp, corn, and olive oil, is to eat fish on a regular basis or consume fish oil capsules good for health.

Flax seed oil is particularly useful for people who suffer from digestive problems. If they are unable to consume dietary sources of certain important nutrients they should cure this problem with the help of omega 3 flax seed oil. This oil is also important for pregnant women to ensure healthy and uncomplicated pregnancies.

Since flax seeds contain ALA which is a long-chain fatty acid, when they are consumed this fat is converted into its short-chain counterparts DHA and EPA in the body. This process takes place in the presence of certain enzymes. DHA and EPA can be obtained directly by consuming fish oil capsules. Both these fatty acids are known to prevent various diseases including depression, anxiety, arthritis and Alzheimer’s disease.

Fish oil capsules should be chosen with care as some low-grade fish oil supplements are also available which may cause side effects like allergies and infections.

“This article is brought to you by Gus Woltmann”.

Yes, canola oil is a source of alpha-linolenic acid (ALA) which is an omega 3 polyunsaturated fatty acid. So, canola oil is very much related to essential fatty acids good for our health. Canola oil omega 3 is considered to be the best cooking oil among all known vegetable oils and is rich in antioxidants and low in saturated fat content.

Canola oil has its origins in Canada, and therefore the name Canadian Oil or Canola for short. It is extracted from rapeseed, which might be poisonous in its pure form. However, canola oil omega 3 is thoroughly refined and tested before packing so that it does not contain any toxic substances which are known to be a part of rapeseed. In fact, hydrogenated rapeseed oil is also available for human consumption and it completely safe and reliable.

The main contents of canola oil are oleic acid, linoleic acid and linolenic acid. These belong to the category of either omega 3 or omega 6 monounsaturated and polyunsaturated fatty acids. Canola oil contains the best possible omega 6 to omega 3 ratio – 2:1. Therefore, it is very useful for overweight people and those with high blood pressure and high cholesterol levels in their body. The main benefit of canola oil omega 3 is seen in the context of cardiovascular disease. Many studies and scientific findings support this fact.

If you come across any negative facts being associated with canola oil omega 3 online, simply ignore them. Canola oil is not dangerous for the consumers; in fact it is a very healthy vegetable oil and can be used for cooking. This theory can be supported by the fact that canola oil contains the lowest percentage of saturated fats than other popular oils like palm oil and peanut oil. In addition to this, it also contains high levels of monounsaturated fats which are considered to be the ‘good’ fats.

Canola oil omega 3 is light and almost tasteless cooking oil. You can consume it directly by taking 2-3 tablespoons after every meal daily, or use it as a cooking ingredient. It has no side effects or allergies associated with it, like some other oils, such as corn oil. It is useful for small children, elderly people and teenagers. Since it lowers bad cholesterol levels in the body, it can be used by overweight and obese people to control their weight.

“This article is brought to you by Gus Woltmann”.

Let’s talk about meat fondue recipes and what you need to know first. Meat fondue also known as oil fondue is a method of cooking all kinds of meats, poultry, and seafood in a pot of heated oil.

Each person participating in a fondue experience, cooks his/her meat by placing a small portion or chunk on the end of a long fondue fork and placing it inside the pot of oil to cook. When the meat has finished cooking in the oil, it’s then placed on a small plate where you can then dip each piece of cooked meat into previously prepared sauces. Meat fondue recipes can also be prepared as a broth fondue, replacing the oil with your favorite broth – chicken, vegetable, or beef – to name a few.

Below, I’ve provided a pretty organized way of preparing and eating meat fondue recipes. Hope you find this helpful!

First, it’s great fun and an easy way to entertain a good group of friends or family. With fondue cooking, everything can be done ahead of time and your guests cook their own food! How easy is that?

Oil fondue is used for cooking meats such as beef, lamb, chicken, fish, and seafood. The great thing is, you can do oil fondue as either an appetizer or as a main entree.

Second, you need a good and reliable cooking unit. With meat fondue recipes, the pot needs to be one that keeps the oil hot and is safe to use at your table. There are a wide range of fondue pots in a variety of styles. Some are complete sets including fondue condiment sets and special fondue plates and forks, as well as burner, stand, metal pot, and a tray to protect the table and catch spatters.

Other types, you’ll need to buy each item separately. But that has its advantages in that you get to create your own customized fondue set in the colors you want and the accessories that you want to use.

Fondue pots are made specifically for a range of different purposes. Stainless steel, aluminum, copper and silver plate or sterling silver pots are generally used for oil and meat fondue recipes where enamel-coated cast iron or ceramic pots are used for cheese or chocolate fondues. In today’s market, you can also find non-stick coated fondue pots that make cleaning not such a chore.

With the wide variety of pots and cooking units also comes with a wide variety of price ranges – from very inexpensive to costly. The thing to look for, in my opinion, is the sturdiness in the construction of the pot. If you are looking for and all-purpose container that can be used for more than oil fondue, make sure the unit has the capability of being able to adjust the heat source.

Fondue Bourguignonne is a traditional meat fondue recipe. The pan used for this is wider at the base and curves in at the top. Why? Because it eliminates some of the spattering that occurs when raw meat hits the hot oil and the shape helps to hold the heat. Most bourguignonne pots are are 1 1/2 to 2-quart capacity.

What if you don’t have a fondue pot or don’t want to spend the money on one? You can always improvise with any good heating unit that burns denatured alcohol, canned heat, or butane. The container for the oil could be any saucepan or chaffing dish. It must be one that is at least 3 1/2 inches deep and not more than about 8 inches in diameter. If it has straight sides and possibly curves inward at the top, even better. Like the bourguignonne pan, it reduces splatters and keeps the heat.

Some other items used with fondue pots:

* Fondue forks and plates are designed for cooking and serving meat fondue recipes and are available in a wide range of materials, sizes, shapes, colors, and of course, price ranges.
* Long bamboo skewers can be used instead of forks. The disadvantage is, it’s sometimes harder to keep the meat or bread on the skewer while it is cooking and the oil can be so hot that you risk getting too close to it and burning yourself.
* Fondue forks are long – at least 10 inches long – and have insulated tips for safety from burning when using oil or broth fondues. The tines on the forks should be generous in length and not made of flimsy materials. Many places that sell fondue pots and their accessories will provide a set of forks with different colored handles for each. This works similarly to the little doo-dads we attach to wine glasses for identification purposes. There’s also a fun fondue game you can play to get the party started.
* Fondue plates are special because they have little sections built into them in the form of small indentations for sauces and a larger section for the meat. They are convenient and nice to have, but not necessary. These plates are usually available in ceramic, china, pottery, plastic or metal.
* Fondue sauce bowls are often used and are particularly festive when the colors or designs of the bowls complement the rest of the fondue set. They are passed around with the different fondue sauces to each of the guests.

Below is the recipe for Fondue Bourguignonne:

What you’ll need:

- 3 pound piece boneless beef sirloin or tenderloin

- 2 cups cooking oil (canola or other vegetable oil)

OR

- 1 cup oil + 1 cup Clarified Butter

- Salt and Pepper to taste

- Dipping sauces (go to http://www.easy-appetizer-recipes.com/fondue-dipping-sauces.html for recipes)

Trim the fat from the meat and cut into bite-size cubes. Keep refrigerated until about 20 minutes before serving. This recipe lends itself to doing everything in advance of your party, makeing it an easy recipe.

For a variation, try marinating your beef using a Sesame Soy Marinade. Enjoy!

Important: Feel free to republish this article on your website. However, you are not allowed to modify any part of its content and all links should be kept active.

“This article is brought to you by Gus Woltmann”.

In Sonoma County each year, there’s a special festival called the Blessing of the Olives. That’s how central olive trees and the foods they yield are to the economy and the eating habits of the region.

Olive oil, the most treasured gift of these blessed trees, is just as central to The Sonoma Diet. There’s probably no food choice you’ll make that does more for your health and weight loss efforts than olive oil.

Which is good news for your taste buds, because no other vegetable oil comes close to olive oil’s rich and pleasing flavor. It’s at the heart of Mediterranean cuisine’s appeal. A dish prepared with olive oil almost seems to announce to anyone who smells or tastes it, “I’m special.”

Healthy Fat

The research is clear as can be that a major reason for southern Europeans’ low rate of heart disease is their liberal use of olive oil as their main source of dietary fat. By adopting olive oil in the same way, you’ll get the same benefits. And because you’ll learn to enjoy olive oil in healthy amounts in place of the harmful fats you may be used to, you will lose weight.

To appreciate olive oil as a power food, banish from your mind the notion that it’s the “least bad” fat. It is a heart-healthy food that is good for you. You need dietary fat to lose weight, but you need the right kind. Olive oil is one of the best. Choose extra-virgin olive oil and you’ll also enhance the flavors of your food.

Put simply, the kind of fat that olive oil is mostly made of (monounsaturated fat) actually lowers your levels of the bad LDL cholesterol as well as blood fats called triglycerides. The fats you’ll be avoiding (saturated fat) raise those levels. That right there qualifies olive oil as a power food par excellence.

A Wealth of Antioxidants

But there’s more. Unique among vegetable oils, olive oil — particularly extra-virgin olive oil — is rich in the same family of antioxidant phytonutrients that make all the other power foods on the Top Ten list so effective in preventing heart disease. The same phenols that make olive oil taste so good also make up its main category of antioxidants. Olive oil also contains carotenoids (like beta-carotene) and vitamin E.

In addition, olive oil reduces two other heart disease risks — high blood pressure and inflammation.

There’s Fat and Then There’s Fat

As the title tells us, not all fats were created alike. There are three naturally occurring types of fat: saturated, monounsaturated, and polyunsaturated, as well as one manufactured fat, known as hydrogenated oil (commonly referred to as trans fat).

The majority of the types of fat you should eat come mostly from plant oils. The healthiest are led by monounsaturated fats, such as extra-virgin olive oil, nuts, canola oil, and avocados. Other healthy oils are found in the polyunsaturated category, such as grapeseed oil, sunflower oil, and the omega-3 oils found in some cold-water fish, flaxseeds, and walnuts.

The kind of fat you must limit eating is the saturated fat found mostly in animal foods such as meats and dairy products, as well as those found in palm and coconut oils. This does not mean you can’t eat meat or dairy. You can. But it does mean that you must seek the lean or nonfat versions of meat or dairy foods.

You can recognize saturated fat because it’s solid at room temperature or lower — the white rimming a steak, the marble in prime rib, the chicken fat that skims a soup in the fridge, a stick of butter. Its primary sin is raising the levels of bad LDL cholesterol in your arteries, inviting heart disease. In fact, saturated fat ups your blood cholesterol more than dietary cholesterol itself. Hydrogenated oils should be avoided because they have far worse effects on your health and heart than saturated fats.

“This article is brought to you by Gus Woltmann”.

This is a simple hot chile oil recipe that makes a terrific table condiment for those who enjoy hot and spicy eating, and take spicy foods seriously. If you make this oil hot enough, it can really cause some pain in your mouth. It can be used as an appetizer for bland vegetables and seafood, such as jicama or scallops. And of course, this oil adds a nice kick when drizzled over any number of Asian dishes.

When dried chile peppers are mixed with vegetable oil, the oils in the chiles are drawn out naturally, blended with, and dispersed throughout the oil. The result is a wickedly-hot oil that will cling to the taste buds of chile-lovers.

You can make this oil as tame or as hot as you like. This is done by adding milder or hotter chiles. It all depends on your tolerance for spicy pain.

-2 cups vegetable oil (corn, canola, soy bean, etc.)

-1 1/2 cups of any (or a combination) of these 3 hot dried and crushed chiles: New Mexico red chiles (hot oil); Arbol chiles (very hot); Chinese or Thai red chiles (for painfully hot oil).

Mix oil and crushed chiles in a small saucepan. Warm until right before oil begins to bubble, then reduce heat to low. Cook until chiles darken, but do not turn black.

Note: When cooking, Asian cooks will typically allow the chiles in the oil to blacken. This results in a stronger, but less fresh-tasting oil, so depending on your preference, you may choose to remove the oil from the heat before the chiles blacken.

Cool overnight at room temperature, then strain oil through cheesecloth. Store the oil in the refrigerator with a tightly-covered lid, and this orange-red oil will keep for months. Let the hot chile oil warm to room temperature when ready to serve.

Billy Bristol is the writer and editor for Spicy Cooking, a website devoted to hot spices, spicy foods, blazing cooking, the hottest cuisines around the world, and “knock-your-socks-off fiery hot recipes that all chile-heads and chili-head wannabes will love. Spicy Cooking will fire up taste buds and scorch your plate…Guaranteed.

“This article is brought to you by Gus Woltmann”.

If you have been on the diet roller coaster, you are likely one of millions of people who are seeking answers to the weight loss mystery that so many are trying to solve. When people are asked the reasons why they’re “on a diet”, a common answer is “to lose weight.” Often times when I hear this, I will ask, “specifically what do you want to lose?” We could be talking about water weight or body fat. Keeping a running tab of grams of fat is one strategy that many dieters use as part of an effort to trim down. I would imagine that most of these people would be horrified at the thought of eating foods that contain high amounts of fat (particularly saturated fat!), however there is a source of fat that has less calories than other fats and does not contribute any more to gaining body mass than protein or carbs, and actually has been linked to improved health. The “fat” we are speaking of here is in the form of coconut oil, which has unfairly developed a bad reputation. As a society of dieters, we have been trained to believe that the less fat we take into our bodies, the better off we’ll be, however our bodies do need fats in order to survive and work properly. So, instead of stressing out over eating foods that contain fat and thinking we need to totally run the other direction from fat, we should instead consider a fat that is better for us, such as coconut oil, which does not contribute to gaining weight any more than other foods. As we think about making changes to a healthier lifestyle, we should think about substituting the fat sources se currently use with coconut oil, which could be one of the healthiest things we can change as part of a plan to shed excess body fat. All fats are not the same!

“…..but coconut oil is supposed to be bad for you!”

Ever since a 1960’s study was released, coconut oil has had an undeserved reputation as a saturated fat source that is an artery clogging villain that sends cholesterol through the roof and should be avoided like the plague. One important thing to keep in mind about this study, however, is that the oil was in hydrogenated form when it was studied, rather than the organic virgin form, which is actually very healthy and beneficial for us. It is true that hydrogenated oils do have long term negative affects on the human body but, thankfully, through further research, we now realize that extra virgin coconut oil has versatile benefits that should be included in cooking with a variety of recipes. All fats, whether they are in the form of saturated or unsaturated, animal or plant, have pretty much the same number of calories. The medium chain fatty acids in coconut oil, however, differ from other sources of fat as they actually contain fewer calories due to the smaller size of the fatty acids in the oil. This results in an energy value of only 6.8 calories per gram compared to the 9 calories per gram offered by other fats, which shows that by using coconut oil in place of other oils (and also butter) your calorie intake will be lower. The number of calories coconut oil offers is actually closer to that of carbohydrate because it is processed and digested differently than other types of fat.

As we’ve pointed out already, it’s common for people who are dieting to avoid those foods which contain the highest fat content. It seems as if we constantly hear about dieters obsessively counting their “fat grams” which they believe to be the most important element of weight loss. But, should we blame the actual fat itself and view it with such concern? Well, the answer is yes and no. Yes, fat is typically higher in calories than carbs or protein, and because of the way our bodies digest it and use it, it can be a primary contributor to increasing body fat. But the good news is that not all fats produce that result in our body.

When we consume fat, it’s broken up into individual fatty acids and reformed into small portions of fat and protein known as lipoproteins, which are sent into the bloodstream where the fatty acids are deposited straight into our fat cells. Additional nutrients such as carbs and proteins are broken down and quickly used for energy or building up tissue. Provided that we eat enough to meet our energy needs and don’t over indulge in excess, the fat content in our foods always ends up as fat in our cells. The periods between our main meals is when physical activity outpaces energy reserves and when fat is removed from storage and used as fuel.

The Medium Chain Fatty Acids (MCFA), on the other hand, are digested and used in a different way by the body. They are not formed into lipoproteins and don’t move through the bloodstream like other fats do, but instead are delivered straight to the liver where they are rapidly converted into energy much the same way that carbohydrates are. When we consume coconut oil as part of our diets, the body uses it immediately to make energy instead of storing on the body, padding us with body fat. As a result of this, we can take in much more coconut oil than other types of oil before the excess is changed into fat. There have been studies that have provided scientific confirmation, in animals and humans, that substituting traditional sources of dietary fat, which are made up mostly of LCFA, with MCFA such as coconut oil, results in foods having a lower caloric content. MCFA can be a helpful agent in the controlling the amount of fat that is deposited in the body. Adding extra virgin coconut oil is one of the best ways to start including these MCFA into our overall diet.

Metabolic Miracle?

I wish I had a dollar for every time I’ve heard someone complain about having a “slow metabolism.” I’m sure these people are right in some cases as not all people have the same metabolic rates. Is there anything we can do about this? When we consume food, many of our body cells ramp up their activities to help the digestion process. The stimulation of this cell activity is known as diet-induced thermogenesis and uses almost 10 percent of the energy of food that is taken into our bodies. Have you ever noticed that you sometimes feel warmer after eating a meal, particularly on a cool day? This happens because the body’s “engine” is running at a faster rate, which causes the body to produce more heat. Different types of foods can cause different metabolic effects. For example, foods that are high in protein (meats, etc.) increase thermogenesis ( or heat production) and have an energizing effect on the body. Protein has a higher metabolic effect than carbs and fats and is a reason why many people say they have significantly less energy when they greatly reduce their consumption of meats. I’ve known people on the Adkins Diet who have mentioned this phenomenon. Increasing the metabolism burns off more calories and is a main reason why high protein diets can promote losing weight.

So, what does this have to do with Coconut Oil?

Coconut oil can offer us a greater metabolic boost than protein as it’s MCFA properties rev up the metabolism into a high gear helping us burn more calories. Since MCFA raise the metabolic rate, they are sources of fat that can actually contribute to weight loss as long as other areas of your diet are monitored and kept in check. Who was it that said moderation is the key? A fat that can help us lose unwanted rather than helping to pack it on is bound to raise the skeptical eye of many people, but that is truly what will happen provided that calories exceeding the body’s needs are not consumed. MCFA are easily absorbed and rapidly burned and used as energy for metabolism, leading to an increase of metabolic activity and even burning off those bad LCFA. Coconut oil offers the most dense natural source of MCFA available. The use of refined hydrogenated oils actually encourage weight gain because of their negative effects on the thyroid, the gland that controls metabolism in the body, and because of their higher calorie values. Polyunsaturated vegetable oils can slow down thyroid activity, which leads to a slower metabolic rate – the opposite effect of coconut oil. Consuming polyunsaturated oils, such as soybean oil, can contribute more to weight gain than any other fat, even surpassing the dreaded lard. Dr. Ray Peat, an endocrinologist specializing in the study of hormones, reports that unsaturated oils hinder the secretion of thyroid hormone, its movement in the circulation, and the responding of tissues to the hormone. When thyroid hormones are not operating efficiently, the metabolism becomes more “lazy.”

In summary, we have learned that, for the most part, saturated fat in coconut oil does not lead to fatty tissues developing on our bodies. Instead, it creates energy, which is one of the reasons why food producers add coconut oil or MCFA in baby foods, energy bars, and even sports drinks. For a number of years now, western culture has been conditioned to believe that vegetable oil, corn oil, soybean, and canola oils are “good” for us and should be part of our regular diet. As a society, we use more soybean and hydrogenated oils than ever before in fast foods but also in foods that we cook at home. Over the years soybean oil has replaced tropical oils in our foods and the problem of obesity has grown in both adults and children. This is not to say that the oils are the only cause of this, however, what we take into our bodies matters and does cause consequences. So, with this in mind, if dropping unwanted weight is your goal, or if simply bettering your health is what you’re after, one of the best things you can do is to eliminate those oils that make you fat and start including extra virgin coconut oil in your diet.

Some contents of this article are based on the writings of Bruce Fife, N.D., from his book, “The Healing Miracles of Coconut Oil”, Dr. Fife is a certified nutritionist and naturopathic physician who has contributed many informative writings on the nutritional benefits of coconut oil.

“This article is brought to you by Gus Woltmann”.

If I ask you to recommend a recipe using coconut cream, you probably thought of curry. But if I change it to coconut oil, what recipe comes to your mind then?

Indeed, both provide same nutritional benefits but we use coconut cream more often in cooking.

They’re the best natural sources of MCFA (medium chain fatty acid) which provides incredible health-promoting properties. This healthful fat actually protects you against heart disease (yes, contrary to what we’re led to believe), diabetes, cancers, liver and kidney diseases, osteoporosis, dental decay and skin infections, viruses, yeast and fungi.

It does wonders to your skin and hair too. And an excellent tool to help you lose that excess body fat.

Coconut cream is preferred because other than its sweet aroma, it gives a smooth consistency to the dishes such as curry when added in right quantity. But it turns rancid easily at room temperature due to presence of water within the cream. So, replacing your current cooking oil with coconut oil is the easiest and fastest way to start reaping abundant health benefits in just one food.

Types of Coconut Oil

First of all, you got to differentiate the two types for use – virgin and RBD (”refined, bleached and deodorized”).

Virgin type is extracted from fresh coconuts at low temperatures and using natural extraction methods. It carries a subtle and delicious taste that makes you feel like eating the yummy cream paste. If you like natural coconut taste and smell, you must go for this virgin type.

RBD, also known as highly refined, is almost as nutritious as virgin type except for its colorless, tasteless and odorless characteristics. Instead of fresh coconuts, dried coconuts (copra) are used for extraction and the extracted oil then undergoes heat and chemical processing to rid its impurities, taste and smell.

This type suits you best if you’re not used to the natural coconut flavor yet. However, some people worry about the hygiene condition of the way copra is handled and the chemical residue from the refining process.

Adding to the woes are companies who partially or fully hydrogenate coconut oil in order to maintain its solid form at higher melting point than its original at 76 degrees Fahrenheit.

Hydrogenation of oil produces harmful trans fat responsible for many illnesses including heart disease, cancers and diabetes. As a result, these people become even more doubtful of RBD oil.

Now if you’re concerned over RBD oil but still like to try coconut oil with minimum taste and smell, I recommend that you look for high quality refined type that uses “expeller pressed” or “centrifuged” extraction method. This method involves a more natural refining process that produces very mild tasting, smooth and creamy texture.

Though it’s not totally odorless, its flavor is so bland that you won’t be able to notice the difference.

Let’s find out the different ways you can eat the oil for best health benefits.

Raw Coconut Oil Diets

Salad Dressing

Dribble the virgin oil over your favorite salads to enhance the aroma and texture. However, salads are often served chilled. When added to cold salads, coconut oil hardens as it melts at pretty high 76 degrees Fahrenheit (24 degrees Celsius). One way to get around this is to mix with another oil that has a low melting point, such as olive oil.

Spread

I love to spread 2 to 3 tablespoons of the flavorful oil on two slices of wholemeal bread with a generous sprinkle of grounded flaxseeds. It’s a simple yet appetizing spread.

Cooking with Coconut Oil

Sauteing, stir-frying and Deep-frying

Coconut oil can withstand high cooking temperature without breaking down into toxic substances or releasing free radicals due to its very stable saturated fat structure.

At smoke point of 350 degrees Fahrenheit (177 degrees Celsius), you can cook anything and in any way you want as long as you don’t overheat it.

No matter what kind of oil, once overheated, will produce toxic by-products that can cause cancers.

How do you know if you’ve overheated the oil? Look out for this telltale sign – it starts to smoke.

Also, foods deep-fried in it don’t absorb as much oil as in other vegetable oils. So, you won’t have to worry about ingesting excessive coconut oil that may turn into your fat deposits.

Baking

Learn to substitute butter, vegetable oil and shortening for your baking with coconut oil as it adds sweetness to baked goods. As a guide, use three-quarter cup of the oil to replace 1 cup of shortening.

Don’t worry about setting the oven temperature to slightly above its smoke point. The moisture in the food will keep the inside temperature well below 212 degrees Fahrenheit (100 degrees Celsius).

Adding in Beverages

You can simply mix it in your hot beverage, be it tea, coffee, hot chocolate or hot soup. Though it doesn’t mix well and floats on the surface, it won’t taste oily or leave an oily aftertaste in your mouth. In fact I enjoy the rich coconut taste in my drink very much.

Eating on Its Own

If eating directly from the spoonfuls is all right with you, I recommend a daily dosage of 3 1/2 tablespoons for adults. But you’re still fine if you keep to just 1 or 2 tablespoons daily.

Coconut oil can be a very versatile food, only if you’re open to new ideas. Explore cookbooks and recipes, create your own recipes, and learn from your friends – so many ways to incorporate the powerful nutrient as part of your diet.

“This article is brought to you by Gus Woltmann”.

Extra virgin olive oil has become such a symbol of healthy eating that it is hard to believe that it was once accused of increasing the harmful cholesterol. It was a fat, so it had to be bad for us. Fortunately, we left those times behind and now olive oil and most fats are much better understood.

The main reason olive oil is healthy is because it is rich in healthy monounsaturated fatty acids. About 75% of that monounsaturated fat is oleic acid, which is very stable even at high temperatures. Moreover, our body processes oleic acid easier than other fatty acids.

Secondly, organic extra virgin olive oil also contains high levels of antioxidants like phenols, and vitamins E and A, which fight free radicals and thus prevent premature aging. Those antioxidants help neutralize the oxidation process, which is common to alls fats, and preserve the properties of olive oil too.

So, the fact that olive oil is capable of resisting oxidation at higher temperatures much better than seed oils makes it the safest vegetable oil for frying.

Many in the non-Mediterranean industrialized countries feel uneasy when a Mediterranean recipe calls for frying in olive oil. Frying is an old cooking technique that is very popular in the Mediterranean cuisines. It is as much an integral part of the healthy traditional Mediterranean diet as consuming raw olive oil with bread and salads.

Some olive oil tips for the kitchen

When heated up, olive oil expands in volume and food absorbs it less than other cooking oils. Therefore, you need a smaller quantity of olive oil.

If it didn’t burn in your frying pan, you can reuse olive oil up to three times. Some say even five times, but I personally never use it more than twice.

Olive oil transmits flavors between foods, so never fry meat in olive oil you used to fry fish and vice versa. My grandmother always kept a jar for fish and one for meat next to the olive oil bottle. It is the best way not to get flavors mixed up.

Finally, olive oil looks thicker than other vegetable oils, but this is only appearance as, contrary to popular belief, it has no more calories than sunflower oil, for instance.

Olive oil for your health

In the 13th century Arnau de Vilanova, doctor of the Catalan royal family, already realized that a moderate intake of olive oil enhanced the vital functions of the body. In the 20th century, the late American doctor, Ancel Keys MD, documented that the olive oil based Mediterranean diet reduces the risk of cardiovascular disease.

We see that contemporary research has confirmed what the Mediterranean peoples knew and practiced intuitively all along.

Heart disease is the Achilles’ heel of modern societies living at a frantic pace. Since Dr. Keys and his followers realized that we in the Mediterranean have a better cardiovascular health, the first medical studies on olive oil focused mainly on that area.

They proved that olive oil balances the cholesterol levels, can reduce the risk of a heart attack, can play a role in the prevention of arteriosclerosis, and fights high blood pressure.

Later, research was extended to other areas like digestion, cancer, and diabetes. The results have been very positive and olive oil usually comes through with flying colors.

One particular study concluded that with only two tablespoons of virgin olive oil every day you can begin to experience the health benefits that the Mediterranean peoples have enjoyed for so long. Incorporating it naturally into your eating practices is simple.

How to integrate olive oil in your eating practices

The easiest way is to get into the habit of drizzling olive oil over slices of bread or toasts, consuming it as a dressing for sandwiches instead of butter, and adding it to salads with some salt.

Wherever you go in the Mediterranean, Morocco, Provence, Tunisia, Italy, Greece, Catalonia, Andalusia, or Majorca, you’ll find people eating their own combination of bread and raw olive oil.

As a Catalan I eat pa amb tomaquet, literally bread with tomato, almost every day: as part of my breakfast, as a snack, or, I admit, when I am too lazy to cook dinner. It is the Catalan bruschetta, so to say, and you can prepare it in no time with slices of bread or toasts, both are fine.

Here is the most basic recipe for pa amb tomaquet. Cut a very ripe tomato crosswise, rub the bread with one half on both sides, drizzle olive oil liberally over the bread and sprinkle some salt.

You can eat it plain or add any topping and accompaniment you like: prosciutto-style or cooked ham, cheese, tuna fish, an omelet, anchovies, figs, olives. Even with a chocolate bar at tea or coffee time, it may sound weird, but it is delicious.

Other recipes with raw olive oil are authentic allioli, salads with olive oil dressing, cold sauces like romesco, and sopa de farigola or thyme soup. As the Catalan saying goes: Sopa sense oli no val un dimoni, literally, Soup without oil isn’t worth a devil, meaning that a soup with no oil is junk.

Here is the recipe. In a soup pot, bring 2-quart (2 l) water to a boil together with 2 peeled garlic cloves and 2 sprigs thyme. Simmer for 10 minutes and drain. Place 1 or 2 slices of country-style bread on the bottom of each soup bowl, drizzle them liberally with extra virgin olive oil and ladle the soup over it. In the spring and summer this soup is also great with mint instead of thyme.

“This article is brought to you by Gus Woltmann”.

If you are looking for the healthy diet which will help you to lose 14 pounds in 20 days.

You are in the right place because mixed vegetable and protein diet will help you not only lose pounds but will fill your body with energy.

At the same time this is a very healthy diet and it can be used during physical exercises.

The mixed diet is 20 days long and based on alternation of protein rich products and vegetable products.

The mixed diet starts from 2 hungry days. During these days it is recommended to consume 1 litre of low-fat milk, 1 glass of fresh tomato juice, 2 slices of black bread (divide this amount on two days)

After that follows 2 days with protein rich food:
Morning: 1 slice of black bread covered with half teaspoon of sunflower-seed oil, one cup of coffee or tea with milk without sugar.

Lunch at 1 p.m.
One cup of meat or fish broth, slice of boiled meat or fish, 1 teaspoon of green peas, 1 slice of black bread.

Snack at 4 p.m.
1 glass of low-fat milk or a cup of tea with one teaspoon of honey.

Dinner at 7 p.m.
Choose one of the following options:
1 slice of boiled meat or fish
2 slices of low-fat ham
1 boiled egg
50 g of low-fat cottage cheese
1 glass of low-fat organic yogurt with 1 slice of black bread

Next 2 days are fruit and vegetable days:
Morning: 2 apples or an orange.
Lunch at 1 p.m.
Vegetable soup mixed with one teaspoon of vegetable oil, 1 slice of black bread, vegetable salad made of white cabbage, carrots and cucumbers.
Snack at 4 p.m.
1 fruit of your choice.
Dinner at 7p.m.
Salad made of white cabbage and cucumbers, 1 slice of black bread, 1 glass of tea with one teaspoon of honey.

Repeat this list again beginning from 2 hungry days for the next 14 days.
If you will follow this diet correctly you will see results already after the first 6 days.

“This article is brought to you by Gus Woltmann”.

A growing number of studies question the safety of chemicals in skin care products. Two chemicals of concern–paraben preservatives, and phthalates, found in synthetic fragrance–are used extensively in baby lotions. Both parabens and phthalates are easily absorbed through thin infant skin. A study published in the Journal of Pediatrics found measurable levels of phthalates in the urine of 81% of the infants tested. The highest levels were found in babies whose caregivers used scented shampoos and lotions to bathe and moisturize their skin.

Phthalates adversely affect the developing hormonal system. They have been linked to early puberty in girls and genital defects in boys, and recently to insulin resistance and obesity.

Parabens are endocrine disruptors–chemicals that interfere with the normal functioning of hormones that control growth and reproduction in people and animals. It is now known that parabens accumulate in fatty tissue such as breast tissue, where they have been found in breast cancer tumors.

Why are parabens and phthalates used in baby lotions?

Lotions and creams contain high percentages of water and must be preserved to prevent bacterial contamination. Parabens–methylparaben, ethylparaben, propylparaben, isoparaben, and butylparaben–are very effective at preventing growth of bacteria, fungus and molds. Discovered in the 1930s, they are still used in hundreds of products despite numerous studies linking them to health problems and cancer. Today, safer alternatives exist.

Manufacturers add synthetic fragrance to mask the smell of other ingredients in a product. Phthalates are chemical “plasticizers,” used to help the fragrance blend with other lotion ingredients and help the smell last longer.

Are natural fragrances safe for infants?

Natural fragrances made from essential oils don’t contain phthalates. However, long-term effects of daily essential oil use haven’t been studied. There is concern that some essential oils, particularly lavender, may affect a baby’s immature endocrine system. And any essential oil may cause contact sensitivity or an allergic reaction on an infant’s sensitive skin.

Fragrance-free baby oil–the safest way to moisturize your baby’s skin

You can avoid exposing your baby to preservatives and fragrances by using a fragrance-free, vegetable-oil-based baby oil instead of a lotion or cream. Baby oil contains no water, so it doesn’t need the host of preservatives, emulsifiers and other chemicals required in a water-based product.

But it’s important to read the ingredients. Drugstore baby oils are made entirely from mineral oil–distilled from petroleum as a by-product of gasoline refining–and synthetic fragrance.

Unlike mineral oil, natural vegetable oils provide important fat-soluble vitamins and fatty acids that help your baby’s skin stay healthy. Look for sunflower oil or safflower oil–both high in vitamin E and considered excellent for preventing water loss in infant skin–in a baby oil’s ingredient list. In several studies, sunflower oil has been shown to reduce bacterial infections in premature infants. A high-quality oil should also contain antioxidants such as vitamin C and vitamin E, to keep the oil from becoming rancid. It’s a safe and effective way to keep your baby’s skin soft and moisturized, without chemicals.

“This article is brought to you by Gus Woltmann”.

This diet is very easy and helpful you need only to fallow this 24 hour diet plan and you will be able to see results on third day. It was recommended by one of my friends from Italy who got this 24 hour diet plan from her dietician; she lost 7 kg in first month. Actually this is very good with her “sitting in the office for 8 hours every day” live style.

Here is a 24 hour diet menu:
7:00 – a cup of tea or coffee.
9:00 – shredded carrot filled with a lemon juice.
11:00 – apple (pear, kiwi fruit, peach, etc.).
13:00 – 100 g of boiled meat (fresh fish) on a piece of grain bread with butter (10 g).
15:00 – one boiled egg (100 g of cheese, 100 g cream, etc.).
17:00 – vegetable salad (cabbage, carrot, beet, etc.).
19:00 – 10 pieces of dried fruit (prunes, dried apricots), hold it for 30 min in hot water.
21:00 – a glass of fat free yogurt.

It is recommended to consult your doctor before applying any of these diets.
Wish you successes.

14 Days Raw Vegetable Diet plan

The best time to use vegetable diet is in the summer and autumn, when your body already filled by needed vitamins. Duration of raw vegetable diet should be not longer then 14 days. If you like it and it works (for you) you can last it longer but you will need include carbohydrates and proteins in menu.
With raw vegetable diet you will be able to loose about 4-5 kg for 14 days.

Daily norm of vegetables with this diet is 1, 5 kg.
Recommended products:
- Fresh vegetables (carrots, courgettes, green beans, cucumbers, lettuce, pumpkin, potatoes, greens);
- Fresh fruit (apples);
- Lean milk, yoghurt, sour, cottage cheese;
- Oatmeal or corn flakes;
- Grain or black bread.

Sample menu for one day:
1-and breakfast – carrots salad, oatmeal or corn flakes with fat free milk.
2-and breakfast – cucumber.
Lunch – any vegetable salad and 2 boiled potatoes with a vegetable oil or sour cream, a piece of black bread.
Snack – 1 green pepper.
Dinner – any vegetable salad with olive oil.

It is recommended to consult your doctor before applying any of these diets.
Wish you successes.

“This article is brought to you by Gus Woltmann”.

This recipe makes a refreshing, very pretty, and tasty Vegetable Congealed Salad. This recipe is easy and make a perfect salad to serve at lunch or dinner with family or friends. This salad is also good for office lunches, church dinners, potlucks, brunch, etc. This vegetable salad is pretty whether you choose to make it in a large mold or in eight individual molds. The individual molds works great for a buffet-style meal. When serving individual salads, line eight salad plates with a nice lettuce leaf and unmold the salads onto the center of the leaves. If you aren’t worried about serving sugar and have no diabetics among your family or friends, you can serve this as a regular salad by using regular lime flavored gelatin. This salad makes a pretty salad for holiday tables and buffets.

VEGETABLE CONGEALED SALAD

1 pkg (.6-oz) sugar-free lime flavored gelatin*

2 cups boiling water

1 3/4 cups cold water

1/4 cup cider vinegar

1 cup chopped celery

1 cup shredded carrot

2 tbsp chopped sweet red pepper

2 tbsp chopped green onion

vegetable oil cooking spray

Dissolve gelatin in boiling water in a medium-size bowl. Stir until all the gelatin is dissolved. Stir in cold water and vinegar. Chill until mixture is the consistency of unbeaten egg white. Fold in the celery, carrot, red pepper and green onion. Pour the gelatin mixture into a mold that has been lightly sprayed with the vegetable oil spray. Chill until firm.

Note: Pour mixture into 8 2/3-cup sized molds that have been sprayed with the vegetable oil, if desired.

*You can make this recipe with regular gelatin if you aren’t worried about serving sugar.

Enjoy!

“This article is brought to you by Gus Woltmann”.

What you put on your skin really does matter

It is becoming more apparent that coconut oil is very beneficial for use in cooking, but did you know that the super versatile oil makes for the ideal substance to use for moisturizing and restoring your skin? Whether it’s recovering from a day in the sun at the beach or going through the cool, dry air of winter, many people are looking for solutions take care of their skin. To the casual consumer does it really matter what kind of lotion we use? The labels of most skin moisturizers and lotions reveal that one of the main ingredients found in these products is water. When these lotions and creams are applied to the body, their moisture is rapidly absorbed into the skin. As the water absorbs into the skin, it expands the tissues, similar to filling up a balloon with water, so that any wrinkles briefly fade away and also causing the skin to take on a smoother feel. However, as soon as the moisture in the lotion or cream evaporates or is whisked away by the blood stream, the skin nearly always returns to it’s dry, wrinkled condition. Our skin is made up of connective tissues that make it strong and elastic with strong connective fibers causing our skin to be youthful in appearance, supple and strong, much like the skin of most youths. Unfortunately, as we become older and these fibers are constantly exposed to free-radicals, they tend to break down, resulting in connective tissues that become more hardened as they slowly lose their strength and elastic qualities. When the skin is no longer able to hold itself together it begins to develop wrinkles, and often takes on a dry, leathery, and even “droopy” appearance.

Even though we may be very diligent with our skin care routine, we will never really be able to permanently conquer dry, wrinkled skin with commercial skin care products. In addition to containing water as a primary ingredient, most lotions have some type of heavily refined vegetable oil that lacks the natural protective antioxidants which makes them highly likely to cause free-radical development on the inside and outside of the body. This is just one reason why taking in processed vegetable oils can lead to a deficit in vitamin E and other antioxidants, which are used up in battling free radicals that cause permanent damage to connective tissue. As we consider this, we should be more discerning about the types of substances we use on our skin. Using products that contain a refined oil has the potential to cause skin to age more rapidly. Although moisturizers and skin creams can provide us with what seems to be temporary improvement, they are actually speeding up aging of the skin and even encouraging more serious damage due to the free radicals that are readily developed from the refined vegetable oil.

After free-radical reaction is initiated it often gathers momentum causing a domino effect which causes additional development of free radicals, which ends up damaging large numbers of molecules in the skin. The human body utilizes antioxidants to fight these damage causing free-radicals. The chain reaction of free radical development is hindered when they come into contact with antioxidants which which the body uses as a defense against these damage causing cells. The amount of antioxidants contained in our tissues is mostly affected by the nutrients in our daily diet, which leads us to……..

Coconut Oil as Nature’s perfect skin care remedy

Raw, virgin coconut oil is perhaps the best natural ingredient for skin care available as it softens the skin and safeguards it from damage, encourages healing, resulting in a more healthy appearance. Coconut oil provides protection against damaging free radicals and even offers the added benefit of keeping the skin from forming liver spots and other blemishes that are brought on by aging and over exposure to sunlight, which are signs of free-radical deterioration of the lipids in the skin. Dr. Ray Peat, a biochemist who has written about the antioxidant properties of coconut oil, has stated, “It is well established that dietary coconut oil reduces our need for vitamin E, but I think its antioxidant role is more general than that, and that it has both direct and indirect antioxidant activities.”

In addition to providing protection from free radical damage, coconut oil also assists with maintaining strong, supple connective tissue, preventing the skin from having a wrinkly and sagging appearance. In some cases it might also heal and even restore skin that has been previously damaged. As the oil is absorbed into the skin, it penetrates beyond the surface going into the deeper layers of the skin, strengthening the underlying tissues, resulting in limiting the damage caused by over exposure to the sun. Unlike many common moisturizing lotions and skin care products that usually have only temporary benefits, coconut oil will have lasting effects that can help return the back to a more healthy, smooth appearance. One reason why this happens is because the coconut oil aids in the removal of the outer layer of dead skin cells, which results in the skin feeling and appearing smoother with a healthy glow. Coconut oil will also help to decrease chronic skin inflammation within days and also serve as a soothing and healing treatment for skin ailment such as minor wounds, blisters, and rashes. It is an excellent ingredient to use in healing ointments and has even proven to be very beneficial as a hair conditioner. With so many versatile and positive qualities, extra virgin coconut oil deserves a place as a regular part of out diet.

“This article is brought to you by Gus Woltmann”.

Dealing with dry skin can be a constant fight! During the winter months, dry skin that feels itchy and tight is just miserable. In summer, the itching and tightness may not be as bad, but dry skin just doesn’t have a glowing, healthy look. This dry skin therapy program restores natural moisture balance and radiance, for the beautiful skin you have always wanted.

Try this simple program – featuring natural shea butter and olive oil skin care products, for 30 days and you will be amazed at how wonderful your skin will look and feel! These natural beauty tips will allow you to enjoy the radiant glow of healthy skin, and banish dry skin for good.

To get started:

- Moisturize skin with pure shea butter and olive oil skin care products.

Effective moisturizing is essential for balancing and protecting dry skin. Pure shea butter and olive oil moisturizers are excellent choices for this purpose. With consistent daily use, natural skin care products with an abundance of shea butter and or olive oil, can keep skin looking smooth and soft. For best results, apply moisturizer while skin is still damp after bath or shower, to seal in water hydration.

- Drink water, water and more water.

Water hydrates all skin cells and is essential for moisturizing and balancing skin. Drink a minimum of 8 glasses per day. An abundance of pure water is best. Your body has to work to obtain water from all other types of liquids, including juice and tea.

- Cut back on long hot baths and showers.

Hot baths and showers feel marvelous, but you are removing natural oils from your skin. Warm water is best, and try not to bathe/shower for more than 5 minutes.

- Gently pat “blot” your skin dry with a towel after bathing or showering.

Brisk rubbing with your towel removes natural oils from your skin. Blot skin dry to allow towel to absorb excess moisture.

- Exfoliate once or twice each week.

Dry skin will look radiant after treatment with an exfoliating product or tool that removes dead skin to reveal new skin cells. Moisturizers are also more effective after exfoliation. New skin cells revealed after exfoliation absorb moisturizing products more effectively, and retain moisture better. Also, exfoliation helps skin maintain optimum moisture balance by increasing circulation, which brings essential nourishment to skin cells.

Start your exfoliation regimen with natural sugar scrubs, or use a loofah or mesh sponge with a moisturizing vegetable soap, and give skin a good polish. Be careful not to use too much pressure or excessive scrubbing the first time you exfoliate, as this can irritate skin. Instead, massage gently during the first few sessions, and gradually increase the amount of pressure and duration. Skin becomes less sensitive to exfoliation over time with regular, once or twice per week sessions. Committment to exfoliating your skin at least once per week will reward you with super smooth, radiant skin.

- Use natural olive oil , shea butter and other vegetable oil soaps.

These soaps provide gentle effective cleansing without drying or irritating your skin. There are many fine brands of natural vegetable soaps available. As you try them you will soon find the ones that become your favorites.

- Don’t scratch itchy skin.

Try misting skin with floral water, (hydrosol) such as rose, lavender, or orange blossom. Immediately apply shea butter or olive oil body butter to the misted area and massage into skin. You will be amazed at how fast the itching stops!

- Increase the humidity in your home.

Use a humidifier or bowls filled with water, especially in your bedroom. When using bowls of water, be sure to add more water to the bowls as it evaporates, and clean and refill bowls with fresh water daily to prevent mold and bacteria growth.

Adopt these natural beauty tips that work to stop dry skin, and begin to enjoy healthy balanced skin that looks its beautiful best.

“This article is brought to you by Gus Woltmann”.

Are you trying to lose weight and following an exercise and diet plan to shed those annoying extra pounds? If yes, you should be very careful about the type of oil that is used in your food. Most dieters reduce the intake of oil, but do not care about its type. Some others stop using it completely. Choosing the wrong type of oils or ignoring them completely, both are very harmful for health.

If you really want to lose weight and remain healthy, make sure you use the recommended quantity of vegetable oils in your food daily. Avoiding their use completely in a hope to lose weight faster can only lead to bad health and serious health problems. Here are a few facts about the advantages of vegetable oils and certain guidelines that will help you make a healthier choice next time:

- Linoleic Acid (LA or Omega 6) is a polyunsaturated acid needed for proper growth and functioning of our skin cells, sex organs, mucous membranes, and endocrine glands. This need can be covered by the daily intake of 1 table spoon of sunflower, corn, or soybean oils. However, if you are prone to allergic reactions, you can avoid peanut and corn oil.

- Oils made of walnuts, cedar nuts, flax seeds, and olives are considered to be the healthiest ones when it comes to losing weight. This is because they help to lower the levels of bad cholesterol (LDL) in the body and also cleanse the blood vessels of deposits, thus preventing atherosclerosis and many other heart diseases. They also have the capability to enhance the levels of good cholesterol (HDL) in the body.

- Alpha-Linoleic Acid (ALA or Omega 3) is a polyunsaturated acid that is extremely essential for the proper functioning of the biochemical processes in the nervous system. Lack of it can also reduce your ability to resist alcohol and also the ability to learn and memorize. The daily dose of this essential fatty acid can be obtained by taking 1 tablespoon of oil made of rapeseed, wheat seed, flaxseed, or walnut.

- If you have high blood pressure, kidney-stones, or diabetes, make sure you use vegetables oils in your food. However, in such cases, avoid peanut oil at all costs.

- Oils made of olive, grape-seeds, flaxseeds, groundnuts, corn, or canola are very rich in oleic acid, yet another essential fatty acid required for proper development and functioning of brain cells.

- However, as you are on a diet plan, make sure to limit your daily intake of oil to just 3-4 tablespoons. Use it in salads or vegetable slides and avoid deep fried foods.

- However, do not limit the intake to just one type of oil. Also, do not substitute all the fats in your diet with vegetable oils.

Thus, if you are on a diet plan, do not ignore the use of vegetable oils at any cost as they are very essential for proper functioning of the body. All you need to do is limit the daily dose and be careful about the type of vegetable oil you are using.

“This article is brought to you by Gus Woltmann”.

For those suffering from the painful and often debilitating effects of rheumatoid arthritis, the only possibility of relief – until recently – involved either painful surgery or expensive medications that also bring with them their own complications.

Now, however, an increasing amount of research into alternative therapies has shown promising results from fish oil and fish oil supplements. The omega-3 fatty acids found in large amounts in fish oil seems to act as an anti-inflammatory agent with no serious side effects and only the possibility of some minor adverse reactions. Omega-3 is found naturally in fish oil or can be ingested through supplements, which is even safer than eating fish known to have high concentrations of omega-3 because those fish also run the risk of containing toxic chemicals such as mercury and PCB’s.

Fish oil has been shown to benefit those with cardiac problems, improve cholesterol levels and increase brain function. For those with rheumatoid arthritis, studies have shown increased amounts of omega-3, which has the highest concentrations in fish oil, improves their condition, decreases the amount of time they have stiffness in the morning and can also decrease the amount of non-steroid anti-inflammation drugs they have to take to combat the illness.

These non-steroid anti-inflammation drugs come with plenty of potential side effects, most commonly nausea, decreased appetite, vomiting, rash, dizziness and constipation. More serious side effects include fluid retention, which can lead to edema. The most serious side effects range from kidney and liver failure, to ulcers and prolonged bleeding after surgery.

Steroid medications can be prescribed for the most seriously affected patients, but those also have serious side effects, such as bone loss, suppress the body’s immune system and increase blood sugar levels.

On the other hand, fish oil supplements have shown to have no side effects and only minor adverse reactions. They are also much cheaper than the non-inflammatory medications and more readily available.

While eating fish could be an important part of a good diet, fish oil supplements may be better and safer due to the fact that in order to reap the benefits of omega-3, a large amount of fish would need to be eaten on a regular basis and the fish with the highest concentrations also may contain toxic chemicals. Meanwhile, taking fish oil supplements ensures the dosage is regulated properly and worries about mercury or other toxic chemicals are non-existent since they are removed in pharmaceutical grade supplements.

To understand the potential benefits of fish oil and fish oil supplements, it is important to first understand rheumatoid arthritis, what causes it and thus how fish oil can counteract it.

What is rheumatoid arthritis?

Rheumatoid arthritis is a painful, chronic type of arthritis that impacts about 1.3 million people in the U.S., and occurs about three times more often in women than in men.

While the exact cause of the disease remains unknown, contributing factors to developing it are believed to include genetics, environment and hormones.

Infectious agents, such as viruses, bacteria and fungi have been suspected as causes, but this has not been proven. It is possible an outside source, such as the environment, may trigger the immune system of the body to mistakenly initiate the reaction. Usually, it is believed a combination of problems result in contracting rheumatoid arthritis. There are juvenile cases of rheumatoid arthritis, but the onset usually occurs in middle age.

It is mainly characterized by inflammation of the lining of the joints. It affects people differently, with some developing rather mild cases that may only last a few months or a couple of years, and others advancing to stages where joint damage occurs along with chronic pain, disability and deformities. It can also affect organs in the body. Often, the disease will progress through three stages.

In the first stage, the joint lining swells, causing warmth, pain, stiffness, redness and swelling around the joint. Next is a rapid division of cells and growth of cells which cause the lining to thicken. In the third stage, the inflamed cells release enzymes that can break down the bone and cartilage in the affected area.

Most theories on the development of the disease have centered on it being an autoimmune response by the body, meaning the body basically attacks itself, though some studies in recent years indicate an outside agent, such as a viral protein, may cause the reaction. Either way, the long-time prognosis for rheumatoid arthritis is not a particularly good one.

The medical and economic costs of all types of arthritis, including rheumatoid, add up to billions of dollars every year when including medications, surgeries and wages lost. Daily joint pain associated with the disease can also lead many to experience feelings of depression, anxiety and helplessness.

Currently, there is no cure for rheumatoid arthritis, but early diagnosis can help someone continue to live a productive life. Studies show early, aggressive treatment can limit joint damage, which reduces loss of movement, increases the ability to continue to work, lowers medical costs and may be able to delay the need for surgery.

In 80 percent of patients with rheumatoid arthritis, an anti-body called “rheumatoid factor” can be found. However, this anti-body can also be found in other conditions, so its presence, as well as abnormal readings on tests, does not point exclusively to rheumatoid arthritis.

In early stages of the disease, X-rays may not show any joint damage, or show only minor swelling. In the second stage, evidence of bone thinning with or without slight bone damage may be seen on an X-ray. Slight cartilage damage may be seen, joint mobility may be decreased but no joint deformities are present, surrounding muscle may be atrophied and soft tissue around the joint may show signs of abnormality.

Typically in the third stage, an X-ray will show signs of bone thinning and damage to bone and cartilage around the joint. Also likely present will be some joint deformity without permanent stiffness of the joint, extensive muscle atrophy and abnormalities in the tissue surrounding the joint.

Stage four rheumatoid arthritis characteristics include joint deformity with permanent fixation of the joint, extensive muscle atrophy and abnormalities in the soft tissue around the joint. X-rays will show evidence of cartilage and bone damage, as well as osteoporosis.

Those with class I rheumatoid arthritis are able to complete normal activities of their day, while those in class II will be able to care for themselves and perform most work activities, though their activities in such areas as sports and household chores will be limited. Those in class III will still be able to care for themselves, but their activities in and out of work will be limited. Class IV patients will be limited in their abilities to care for themselves, work and engage in other activities.

Research into benefits of fish oil

In the last decade or so, several studies have been conducted to determine the possible benefits on rheumatoid arthritis patients of increasing omega-3 fatty acids into one’s diet, usually through increased consumption of oily fishes like salmon, mackerel and herring. While we’ve all been conditioned in the last several years to cut out fat in our diet, omega-3 fatty acids have beneficial effects on the body.

In fact, it was reported in August of this year in the “Evening Courier” of Halifax that Greenland Inuits have low incidences of heart disease despite having a diet high in fat. However, much of their high-fat diet comes from marine mammals, which are high in omega-3s. Scientists who study diet and diseases have found that heart disease, cancer and diabetes are nearly non-existent among Eskimo populations.

While Eskimo and Inuit diets consist largely of fat from marine animals, many Western diets contain fat from vegetable oil coming from fast food and store bought baked goods.

Fish oil has also been found to be the best source of two particular fatty acids, eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA), which have been found to reduce inflammation, reduce the clotting tendency of blood, improve brain function, improve heart health and inhibit abnormal cell growth, which could help reduce cancer risks.

Fish oil’s effect as an anti-inflammatory agent is of particular interest to rheumatoid arthritis patients, since the disease results from the inflammation of the lining of the joints.

A 1993 study gave rheumatoid arthritis patients 2.8 grams of fish oil daily compared to a placebo given to others. After three months, those receiving the fish oil supplementation showed decreased use of non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) compared to those given the placebo, and after 12 months that reduction peaked.

Another study in 1995 showed 130 milligrams of fish oil supplements per kilogram of the person’s weight per day could decrease the number of tender joints, the duration of morning stiffness and overall pain experienced by rheumatoid arthritis patients.

It has also been shown that the amount of omega-3 fatty acids added can be lowered if combined with a decreased amount of omega-6 fats, which is found in many vegetable oils and actually promotes inflammation. Some research suggests increased levels of omega-6 can heighten the possibility of some diseases and depression. Many Western diets have ratios of omega-6 compared to omega-3 of 10 to 1, though some can be as high as 30 to 1. The ration should be 1 to 1.

A 2000 study showed that lower doses of omega-3 supplements could lessen inflammation from arthritis if paired with a reduction in the amount of omega-6s ingested. The amount of omega-3 found to still be effective was lowered to 2.3 grams if small amounts of omega-6 were included in the patient’s diet.

Use of both steroid and non-steroid medication to reduce symptoms in patients with severe arthritis was found in 2003 to be lowered if omega-3s were added to the diet and omega-6s reduced. Again, using less of the medications means less risk of their side effects.

In Leuven, Belgium, patients were divided into three groups: one group received six tablets of olive oil a day as the placebo group; the second received three tablets of olive oil and three tablets of fish oil per day; and the last group received six tablets of fish oil each day.

After three months, the placebo group showed very little improvement (about 10 percent showed some signs of being better), while 33 percent in the group receiving split treatment showed improvement. However, 53 percent of patients receiving fish oil alone showed significant signs of improvement and 47 percent of this group was able to reduce its use of non-steroid anti-inflammatory drugs. In the placebo group, only 15 percent lowered their use of the non-steroid anti-inflammatories and 29 percent were able to do so in the split group.

The Belgium scientists concluded long-time use of fish oils can improve the effects of rheumatoid arthritis significantly and can also decrease the use of non-steroid anti-inflammatory drugs.

A similar study at the University of Newcastle in Australia seems to back this conclusion. In that study, 50 patients who had been diagnosed with rheumatoid arthritis were studied for 15 weeks. All the patients had a diet in which they consumed less than 10 grams per day of omega-6 fatty acids. Half the patients were given a placebo consisting of a 50-50 mixture of corn and olive oil, while the other group was given fish oil capsules providing a daily intake of about 2.8 grams for an average sized person.

All the subjects continued their regular diets and medications. Tests were taken initially and then at 4, 8 and 15 weeks. After the four-week and eight-week periods, no significant changes occurred in either group. However, at the 15-week period, significant changes were found in the group receiving fish oil, while no improvement was seen in the group not receiving fish oil. In addition, the group receiving fish oil also reported vast improvements in the duration of morning stiffness and physicians reported an overall improvement in the condition of the disease.

The October 2006 edition of the Journal of Rheumatology reported on a study which found 75 percent of patients using fish oil were able to reduce the amount of non-steroid anti-inflammatory drugs they took after a three-year period. Remission of the disease also occurred in 72 percent of patients taking the fish oil.

Fish oil supplements

It appears there is a benefit to rheumatoid arthritis patients of increasing their intake of omega-3 fatty acids through fish oils, especially if omega-6 fatty acids absorbed through vegetable oils can be reduced.

Of course, a healthy diet is important for anyone, not just those afflicted with rheumatoid arthritis, and eating fish could be a part of that healthy diet. However, to achieve the benefits of omega-3 fatty acids at the levels seen in some of the studies above, you’d have to eat a good amount of fish on a regular basis.

Remember, those Eskimos and Inuits who rarely experience heart disease or cancer in their populations eat mainly marine mammals as part of their diet. Some people just don’t care for the taste of fish as much as Eskimos do.

The highest concentrations of omega-3s can be found in mackerel, salmon, tuna, bluefish, sturgeon, anchovy, herring, trout, sardines and mullet. However, since these types of fish are higher on the food chain, often eating other smaller fish (that’s why they have the increased amounts of omega-3s, because they have their own as well absorbing it from the fish they eat), they may also contain higher doses of some toxic contaminants, such as mercury, dioxin and PCBs.

Pharmaceutical Grade fish oil supplements, however, allow companies to provide the benefits of the omega-3 fatty acids from fish oil while eliminating the possibility of also ingesting toxic contaminants. Also, the dose is regulated so the patient knows how much they are taking. Tablets can come in gel form and taking one to two tablets per day should provide the benefits sought, though it can also be found in liquid form.

Side effects

There have been no serious side effects reported from increased or prolonged ingestion of fish oil or fish oil supplements.

There are some mild adverse reactions that have been reported from time to time. Nausea, diarrhea and flatulence are common reactions, as well as experiencing a “fishy” burp. However, the Mayo Clinic has several recommendations to avoid this reaction, including swallowing the pill while frozen, which slows down its digestion in the stomach. Other tips include taking the pill at the beginning of a meal so the other food “traps” the fish oil in the stomach and acts as a buffer, switching brands or using an odorless tablet.

Other potential adverse reactions documented include halitosis, fishy smelling breath, skin and urine and occasional nosebleeds due to the anti-clotting agent of omega-3s. Pregnant women are advised to consult first with their physican before starting fish oil supplements as there may be complications with the Vitamin A found in fish oil. An increased level of Vitamin E intake is also recommended because the metabolism of fish oil uses large amounts of the vitamin, which is a powerful antioxidant. Some pharmaceutical grade supplements already add in Vitamin E with the fish oil to balance out this issue.

While not a side effect, it should be noted it takes time for an increase in omega-3s to achieve the goal of reducing inflammation in the joint. Most of the studies mentioned above saw no major results before at least three months.

Why you should choose fish oil supplements

Surgery options for rheumatoid arthritis patients include joint replacement, tendon reconstruction and a procedure to remove the inflamed lining. There are also medications that can relieve pain or reduce inflammation. However, these can be very expensive and may come with extensive side effects, such as chronic infections like tuberculosis as well as the others discussed previously.

It comes as no surprise then that patients are always looking for a better alternative. Pharmaceutical grade fish oil supplements may be that alternative. They are cheaper, have almost no side effects and provide most of the same benefits over a period of time. They can be purchased online or at just about any store that sells supplements.

“This article is brought to you by Gus Woltmann”.

Essential oils are becoming a popular method to deal with childhood head lice.The pesticide treatments commonly used contain toxins that pose serious health threats. Because the scalp has many blood vessels close to the skin, these toxic substances are absorbed directly into the bloodstream.

Pesticide treatments which are commonly used to repel lice contain toxins that pose serious health threats. Because the scalp has many blood vessels close to the skin, these toxic substances are absorbed directly into the bloodstream.

Harmful side effects from chemical lice treatments include nervous system damage, convulsions, seizures, nausea, vomiting, headaches, mental confusion and even death. To make matters worse, these pesticides are becoming less effective as lice are developing a resistance to them. This often leads to repeated treatments. The additional exposure adds to the potential harm.

Head lice are highly contagious and very common among children. Because certain essential oils are highly effective against lice, there is absolutely no reason to expose children to dangerous pesticide treatment.

Laboratory tests (Veal 1996) show the essential oils of aniseed, cinnamon leaf, red thyme, tea tree, peppermint, nutmeg and oregano to be effective in killing live lice and their eggs. Other essential oils used to repel lice include lavender, rosemary, eucalyptus, juniper berry, bergamot, clary sage, and lemongrass.

Tea tree oil may be the best choice for several reasons. Tea tree oil was found to be 93% effective against killing adult lice and 83% effective in killing their eggs. It is generally safe and is one of the only essential oils that can be used neat (undiluted) on the skin (in small amounts.) Tea tree oil can be used on children as young as one year old. Tea tree oil is so versatile that it should be on hand in every household. Having it on hand for other uses will prevent having to search for ingredients when dealing with a lice infestation that requires prompt action.

Many of the essential oils listed above should not be used on children. It is important to check safety data before using any essential oil. Oregano oil and red thyme oil should not be used at all. All essential oils, including tea tree should only be used by children on an “as needed” basis, and must be properly diluted.

Essential oils can be used both to rid the scalp of lice when an infestation is present and as a preventative measure when there is a potential threat.

To rid the scalp of lice the essential oils must be diluted in a vegetable oil or alcohol. Vegetable oil may be the best choice for smothering lice and to soothe scalp that may be sore or itchy from infestation.

Olive oil or vodka is fine if you have it on hand. Sweet almond oil, jojoba or grape seed oil are other good choices.

4 TBS (2oz) vegetable oil (or vodka)

1 tsp castor oil (optional)

20 drops tea tree oil

Blend well. Have child sit on a chair in the bathtub. Apply mixture to scalp and hair. Use only the necessary amount to make sure entire scalp and hair is coated. Cover with plastic shower cap. Leave on for several hours. Then wash and condition hair. Comb hair thoroughly with nit comb. Then rinse hair with the following rinse.

FINAL RINSE

1-quart warm water

¼ cup cider vinegar

2-5 drops tea tree oil

Shake well to disperse essential oil. Pour over clean hair. Do not rinse out. When hair dries, saturate a nit comb with tea tree oil and re-comb.

LAUNDRY

Lice can remain alive for up to 72 hours after they have left the human host. Re-infestation can occur if lice remain on pillows, bed linen, combs, clothes and towels. Completely wash all clothing and bedding. One teaspoon of tea tree oil can be added to each wash load. A few drops can be added to a washcloth and placed in the dryer with clothes and bedding. Dry on hottest setting available.

SHAMPOO

During the weeks following lice infestation use the following shampoo formula. Add 2-4 drops of tea tree oil to your normal amount of shampoo for one use. Leave shampoo in for five minutes before rinsing out. Finish with final rinse. Comb with nit comb.

PREVENTATIVE MEASURES

To prevent lice from infesting your child’s hair, especially if there is a potential threat, several precautions can be taken. The shampoo and rinse formula described above can be used for precautionary measures. Another quick method to deter potential lice infestation is to dab a few drops of tea tree oil on your fingertips and run your finger through child’s hair.

Warn your child about head to head contact with other children. Advise them not to share hats, helmets, brushes and hair accessories. If they are in day care or elementary school get in a habit of checking their scalp for nits on a regular basis. Early detection will allow quicker relief with fewer side effects such as itching and scabbing.

Tea tree oil is known as a “first aid kit in a bottle”. If you keep a bottle on hand for possible lice infections, you will soon discover it’s many other uses and benefits.

“This article is brought to you by Gus Woltmann”.

I am a proponent of natural ingredients. In most cases, I believe using natural oils, butters, a plant-based ingredients in our beauty products is best. There are exceptions to this rule when it comes to animal cruelty and deforestation. Palm oil contributes to both.

If you’re using natural products and regularly buy cold processed soaps, chances are palm oil is on the ingredients label. It is also found in “eco-friendly” candles and tarts. Palm wax is growing in popularity over the past couple years because it delivers a unique shiny appearance to candles. While it may be naturally derived, it is a leader in terms of cruelty to animals and harming the environment.

Palm oil is everywhere.

It is used in most soaps, as it is gentle to the skin and makes for a hard bar. It is used in lipsticks and in lip balms, as it is softening and nourishing due to the high saturated fat content. I have looked at the boxes of so many lipsticks, including major brands from $3 to $30+ many contain palm oil. Palm is in hand soaps, in nearly every single melt and pour base (some don’t say palm oil; many simply state “vegetable oils.” The one all-natural palm oil free melt and pour base sold in the US that I can find on the net contains peanut oil instead, which isn’t a good option for soap. Palm oil is in many shampoos and shower gels as well.

It is not just in our cosmetics.

Do you want an incentive to eat healthier if your habits are poor? This is your time to do something! It is in our processed foods. Just go to Wegmans and take a glance at the back of the package of any major brand of crackers, chips or cookies. Palm oil is in packaged biscotti and treats for gourmet bakeries, too. Some chocolates also contain palm oil, as do many kinds of toothpaste. It is estimated that more than 10% of products in the store contain this cheap oil.

Palm oil, by the way, is high in saturated fats and raises your risk of heart disease. As heart diseases is our nation’s #1 killer of women, shouldn’t that be reason enough to stop consuming it?

This oil is also used for biofuels. One would think a “green” alternative to the emissions from standard diesel gas would be more beneficial. Fuel has been produced to be used instead of traditional diesel in farming equipment in the United States. That sounds wonderful, but to get this “green” fuel in terms of emissions, thousands of acres of rainforest have been destroyed. Countless wildlife have perished in an effort to be more “green” in eco-speak. It is a catch 22, almost, in that particular situation. Nobody seems to be aware of HOW that type of “green” fuel comes to be. No one speaks of the effect of animals and the rainforest…to the quality of air. So, yes, using this as a diesel alternative is better for the environment when you talk of emissions alone. No one wants to talk about at what cost this came to be.

As a note, we import a great amount of palm oil in the United States. We have plans to import more. In the UK alone, they import over 1 million TONS of palm oil each year.

Palm or petroleum?

When I was reading an article not long ago, there was an interview with reps from Greenpeace. It was said that palm oil is worse than crude oil. I agree. I don’t use products derived from crude oil. Yes, they may be “natural” (so is Poison Oak), but that doesn’t mean it is good. Truth be told, I’d sooner burn a paraffin candle or rub Vaseline on my lips (which is banned in the EU, by the way) than use a product containing palm oil.

What is so wrong with how we get palm oil?

Palm oil is brought to us by literally destroying the habitat of animals, particularly orangutans. Thousands of orangutans have died because of this trade. In fact, five particular mammals are endangered (3 being on the “critically endangered” list) because their habits have been cleared away for palm oil. These are the Sumatran and Bornean Orangutans, Asian Elephant, Sumatran Tiger, and Sumatran Rhinoceros. This is happening all over Southeast Asia, but the majority of the palm oil (over 80%) comes from Malaysia and Borneo alone. Something needs to be done, and soon. If this continues, the Friends of the Earth predicts that in about 10 years, orangutans will be extinct. Extinct.

Why is this the case? In their natural habitat, these animals are losing their homes to fires, the logging industry, and more specifically, the palm oil industry. Palm Oil plantations abound, and animals are facing the truth that their travel patterns are cut off, their homes are vanishing (ie: the rainforest in general). Animals are much more vulnerable to poachers because of this. Plantation workers have also been discovered to kill these animals to get food, or to just get the animals “out of their way”. Numerous cases of killing these animals essentially “for the sport of it” have been reported. Another way the animals are dying is because the plantation workers often set fires to clear space and the fires often burn out of control, destroying a large chunk of the natural habitat of these animals.

Not only are there moral issues when it comes to the loss of life of these animals, but there is a huge environmental impact. Tropical rainforests are being cleared away. Because of the palm oil plantations (made by clearing away the rainforests), over 600 million TONS of carbon are leaked into the air. Pesticides and herbicides are in the air because of this practice. Let’s also think about the fish dying each day from what is being leaked from the processing plants there.

What is being done?

The Roundtable on Sustainable Palm Oil (RSPO) was formed in 2004. Its mission was to promote awareness for the use of sustainable palm oil. Strict guidelines were set in place to ensure that changes were made in the palm oil trade. It sounded like a good thing.

Unfortunately, many environmentalists and animal rights organizations have come out and made statements criticizing the RSPO.

Greenpeace, for example, has publicly called the RSPO “a farce”. This is because it was discovered that several members of the RSPO actually engage in unethical practices which have caused more death and deforestation. The RSPO has not taken action against these members. When members of a committee pledging to clean up this industry as the very ones causing harm, something needs to change.

When something billed as “sustainable” palm oil was brought to the marketplace by way of contributing to global warming and killing innocent animals, it can’t truly be called sustainable.

I really had high hopes for the RSPO as it continued to make strides in cleaning up the industry. I thought I one day would buy items containing “sustainable palm oil.” That is no longer an option in my mind. Pretty much any company can “buy” a membership to the roundtable and there isn’t much of verification process. That in itself isn’t unique–it is much like PETA in that respect.

Are cosmetics companies listening?

Not really. Lush, a rather unnatural “natural” products company, has taken steps to eliminate palm oil. They came out with Green Wash, a palm oil free melt and pour soap. There was all sorts of hoopla, but when you consider that this also was made of propylene glycol, sodium lauryl sulfate, and EDTA, I would not try it. All of their other soaps contain those harsh ingredients and palm oil.

Burt’s Bees, a company I used to love and have so much respect for, used to list this oil on their soaps. Now the ingredients list simply begins with “vegetable soap base”….a clever way to avoid saying “palm oil” for less savvy consumers.

What can you do?

*You can read the ingredients labels religiously. If ingredients are not listed, don’t buy. There are options. You just need to spend a bit of time exploring them.

*You can ask your favorite company to consider replacing other oils for palm. It truly isn’t necessary to make a good bar of soap.

*You can use beeswax or soy wax instead of palm when buying candles and tarts (although I no longer recommend soy wax. Read here to learn why.)

*Don’t eat margarine or shortening, is palm oil is often used in this. You typical “vegetable oil” at the grocery store almost always contains palm as well.

The Bottom Line:

If you are an animal lover, chances are you avoid companies that conduct animal testing. You may not use products with carmine (crushed insects used to color lipstick and blush). Why is palm oil any different? The bottom line is that we need, in my opinion, to educate ourselves when it comes to what we rub into our skin, put on our faces, shampoo or hair with, etc.

A conscious effort is made by most of us to pay attention to the foods we put into our bodies. We want to be healthy. We want to be eco-friendly. We don’t want animals to be killed so our soap can be firm.

At what cost, though, to have softer skin or a longer lasting bar of soap? Is it worth it? There are so many fats (oils) out there derived through humane methods that we could choose to use instead. Olive oil…coconut oil…rice bran…sweet almond…grapeseed….apricot…jojoba… macadamia nut….kukui…so many more! Hemp Seed Oil is a wonderfully nourishing, yet cruelty-free and eco-friendly oil.

I had a favorite stuffed animal as a child, Herman. Herman was a stuffed orangutan from Washington, DC’s National Zoo Gift Shop. I wanted that one because I always thought orangutans were “cute”. I would hate to think that because I wanted a harder bar of soap or a creamy, yet firm lipstick that I would be contributing to the probable extinction of animals within my lifetime.

“This article is brought to you by Gus Woltmann”.

The recent spikes in oil and natural gas prices have put the topic of alternative fuels for home heating at the forefront of discussions around the country. Alternative fuels that in the past were seen as marginal, odd, or strictly for rural use are getting a second look.

Wood heat has been used for generations in the rural U.S., but has been replaced in the past fifty years or so by central heating provided by oil- or gas-fired furnaces. However, in recent years, wood stoves have been making a comeback. Attractive stoves by Jotul and other manufacturers have taken their place in communal living areas like kitchens and living rooms to supplement heating while providing a cozy ambiance to the rooms. Wood furnaces, both internal and external and in many new designs based on the latest technology, provide the ability to load the furnace so as to provide hours of central heating before needing re-stoking. An advantage of burning wood, at least in rural areas, is that it can be locally obtained; people with a wood lot can get it with “sweat equity”, and can supplement their income by supplying their neighbors as well.

New plant-based fuels like wood pellets and corn pellets can also provide heat when used in specially designed, clean-burning furnaces and stoves. In addition, more and more people are taking a new look at biodiesel, a fuel manufactured from vegetable oils, primarily soybean oil. Most furnaces can use B20, a fuel made of 80 percent traditional heating oil and 20 percent biodiesel, without any adjustments; some people are getting their furnaces adapted to be able to burn B100, a fuel made entirely of vegetable oils. The biodiesel burns much cleaner than traditional heating oil, but has its own problems (for one thing, biodiesel tends to cause rubber gaskets to erode), so be sure to check with your furnace servicer or manufacturer before you opt for B100.

If you choose to use B100, and your furnace will handle it, you have a couple of options. B100 is becoming more available around the country; check on the Internet to find a supplier near you. Also, waste oil – that is, used vegetable oil discarded by restaurants – can be filtered and used in some furnaces. Several furnaces on the market are designed to burn waste oil. Commercially manufactured B100 has an additive that keeps it liquid at low temperatures, which recycled vegetable doesn’t contain, so do your research – and check again with your furnace servicer – before you attempt burning used vegetable oil.

We’re facing a new world with lots of challenges in terms of how to heat our homes, especially in colder winter climates. Luckily there are technologies like wood gasification and biodeisel, available today which can help us move away from our decades-old dependence on fossil fuels.

Aldene Fredenburg is a freelance writer living in southwestern New Hampshire and frequently contributes to Tips and Topics. She has published numerous articles in local and regional publications on a wide range of topics, including business, education, the arts, and local events. Her feature articles include an interview with independent documentary filmmaker Ken Burns and a feature on prisoners at the New Hampshire State Prison in Concord. She may be reached at amfredenburg@yahoo.com

“This article is brought to you by Gus Woltmann”.

Castor oil is the oil that comes from castor beans. The castor bean contains 50% to 55% oil. The oil itself contains a lot of fatty acids similar to those used in cooking oil, some examples of this are oleic acid, linoleic acid, stearic acid and palmitic acid.

When you look at vegetable oils, castor oil is distinguished differently by the high level of ricinoleic acid which is over 85%. There is no other vegetable oil that has such a high proportion of fatty hydroxyacids. Because it has an unsaturated bond, high molecular weight 298, a low melting point of 5ºC and very low solidification point of between -12ºC to -18ºC it is quite suitable for industrial use. The biggest reason why this happens, is that it has the highest and most stable viscosity of any vegetable oil.

This oil has an ash content of about 0.02% the percentage for sulfur is less than 0.04% .The higher the cetane number (CN), the better the fuel will be when used as a diesel. The CN of the majority of biodiesel fuels is actually higher than petrol or diesel, and the cetane number of castor oil biodiesel is in a good range for diesel engines.

Facts drawn by scientists actually show that castor oil has one of the highest CN when it comes to all the vegetable oils, and also when you throw in all of the other biofuels they actually have numbers that are lower than the amount for castor oil. Petro diesel is around 45, and yet for most other bio fuels, the figure falls in the range 45 to 65.

However when thinking about biodiesel production, cost plays an important role and castor bean oil is one of the lowest priced oils, which makes it quite effective to use. It has proven itself as one of the most beneficial of all oils to use however they are still doing research to determine other variables as well.

“This article is brought to you by Gus Woltmann”.

Coconut oil is full of saturated fat, and many people still think that saturated fat is bad for them. Do you? Saturated fats actually serve many purposes in the body, including providing structure for the cells, helping us to fight viruses, funguses and cancer and more. A good amount of saturated fat is needed in the diet in order for the body to incorporate calcium into to bone as well. Saturated fats also protect the liver from alcohol and other toxins, like drugs. In fact, many studies have shown that the more saturated fats you eat, the healthier you will be. Many people around the world who eat lots of saturated fat are healthy, long-lived peoples, including the Japanese and the French!

It Is Hydrogenated Coconut Oil That Causes Problems, Not Healthy Unrefined Coconut Oil

So how did coconut oil get so vilified in the American press? Americans used to consume a lot of coconut oil, and the food industry used it a lot as well, since it is such a stable oil. But during World War II, our supplies of coconut oil were cut off by the war, and that was when the vegetable oil industry started touting (erroneously) the benefits of using vegetable oils. Even Dr. William Douglas, MD (he writes the newsletter “Real Health News from Medicine’s Most Notorious Myth-Buster”), says that coconut oil was vilified mostly because of the vegetable oil industry. In order to prove their point, they took a study that used hydrogenated coconut oil which caused a significant increase in blood cholesterol levels, and then said it was “saturated” fat that caused the problem. However, hydrogenated coconut oil is of course bad for you, like all hydrogenated oils, they turn to trans fatty acids and cause heart disease and more. It was not the saturated fats, but the hydrogenated oils that turned to trans fatty acids that caused the problems!

There was also an individual, Phil Sokolof, who had had a heart attack and decided to use his personal money to attack saturated fats as the cause, based on bad science. At that time, the experts of the day, including the surgeon general, called the coconut oil attacks “foolishness.” But Mr. Sokolof had a lot of money to spend and over the years spent over $15 million on ads that attacked saturated fats like those in coconut oil as the cause of coronary heart disease. He, by the way, eventually died of heart failure, perhaps from taking his own advice??

Many, many studies have failed to show a link between consuming saturated fat in the diet and heart disease. On the contrary, a study published in the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition showed two groups of Polynesians who consumed lots of coconut products, including coconut oil, and had very low rates of cardiovascular problems. And the famous Framingham, Massachusetts study showed that the more saturated fat you ate, the less you weighed and the longer you lived!

Natural Coconut Oil is the Best Oil To Use in Cooking

Dr. Mecola too, recommends natural, virgin, organic coconut oil as the “smartest oil you can use in cooking.” He says that vegetable oils like corn, soy and canola, when heated, are likely to cause trans fatty acids, but not the highly saturated coconut oil. In fact, he says it is the only oil he cooks with. Olive oil is great for salad dressings, but it too is not so good when heated at high temperatures. We totally agree — toss out your supposedly “heart-healthy” vegetable oils and get some virgin coconut oil today!

“This article is brought to you by Gus Woltmann”.

When we think of Omega 3, we think about Fish Oils as they are the richest source of fats. We have some good news for the Vegetarian population; there are certain vegetable oils that can provide you with the benefits of EPA and DHA.

The vegetarian sources of fatty acids include flaxseed oil, canola oil, walnut oil, Primrose oil and sunflower oil. As we all know, Oils are nothing but liquid fats. The vegetable oils contain ALA one of the three omega 3 fatty acids that needs to be converted into EPA and DHA fats to be absorbed by our cells.

Though the breaking down of ALA (Alpha-Linolenic acids) into EPA (Eicosapentaenoic acid) and DHA (Docosahexaenoic acid) takes time, it is usually sufficient to fulfill the omega 3 needs of most people.

Let us take a closer look at the various vegetable oils.

Flaxseed oil also known as Linseed oil tops the list when it comes to the richest vegetarian sources of fatty acids. Extracted from flax seeds, this oil contains a good amount of ALA and is a colon friendly oil. Flaxseed oil contains phytonutrients that promote good health.

Canola Oil is another important omega oil. Canola oil contains both omega 3 and omega 6 fatty acids in a ratio of 2:1. This is an ideal ratio between unsaturated and saturated fats and can be used to correct the imbalance in our diets. Canola oil is a heart-healthy oil and can be used regularly.

Soybean Oil as we know is extracted from soybeans which are a rich source of omega fatty acids. Soybean oil has high omega 6 and omega 3 content. However, to ensure the maximum benefits of this oil, you must use it in the unrefined state only. This is because the refining process turns the unsaturated fats into hydrogenated fats.

Pumpkin Seed Oil contains both omega 6 and omega 3 fatty acids and is rich in unsaturated fats content. The ratio of omega 6 (Linoleic acid) to omega 3 (Linolenic acid) is 3:1. They are one of the less popular vegetable oils that has sources of omega 3.

Algae Oil is a rich source of fatty acids especially Docosahexaenoic acid or DHA. Algae oil is the only vegetable oil that contains approx. 40% DHA by weight. It has various health benefits and is a high quality DHA supplement.

Walnut Oil is extracted from walnuts which are a rich source of fatty acids. Walnut oil contains both omega 6 and 3 fatty acids in a ratio of 10:1 respectively. Just like soybean oil, walnut oils should also be used in the unrefined state. It is a rich source of unsaturated fats and is a healthy oil.

Primrose Oil or Black Currant oil is one of the lesser known fatty oils. They are an important ingredient for making hormones. Primrose oil is cheaper than other oils and contains both omega 3 as well as omega 6 fatty acids. They are useful in treating a variety of disorders.

Sunflower Oil is rich in Vitamin E, omega 3 and omega 6 fatty acids. The EPA and DHA content in Sunflower oil is much lesser than flaxseed or canola oil. Their high oleic acid content makes them less prone to damage by heat. Sunflower oil is used mostly for cooking purposes as they contain unsaturated fats.

“This article is brought to you by Gus Woltmann”.

Vegetarian Grilling
We most often grill meats like chicken, pork and beef. But aside from these and seafoods, vegetables. This is very popular in Greek cooking. Hence, for people who value their health and would like to try new variations in what they eat, try to grill vegetables in your next meal.

Vegetables are more delicate compared to meat that it is more easily cooked in just a few minutes. It does not contain fats so it is very healthy to eat. Make sure to clean the grill carefully first and oil it a little before you put the vegetables. The oil will prevent the food from sticking to the grill and fall apart when you pick it up.

Scrape off excess burnt foods that stuck to the surface of the grill from previous cooking using a heavy-duty wire brush while it is still hot. After this, get a paper towel and fold it into a small square and soak it with vegetable oil. Then, use a long-handled barbecue tong to grab it and rub vigorously on it.

Making Vegetable Sandwiches
Since any type of vegetable is excellent for grilling, you can also make great-tasting sandwiches from them. In fact, Focaccia bread with grilled vegetables and goat cheese is everyone’s favorite. Another option is to serve it with pita bread and tzatziki sauce.

When making grilled vegetable sandwiches, it is best that you cut them into thin slices lengthwise. This is best for eggplants and zucchinis. For peppers, tomatoes and onions, cut them into thick rings. You can also use asparagus. You can leave spears as a whole but have them perpendicularly positioned on the grill grates.

Grilled Vegetable Sandwich
Ingredients are 1 yellow bell pepper, 1 small zucchini, 4 up to 5 large-sized sliced fresh mushrooms, ¼ teaspoon salt, 1 medium-sized sliced tomato, ¼ teaspoon black pepper, 2 tablespoon vegetable cream cheese, dried basil, a few leaves of spinach and 4 slices of lightly toasted bread.

Procedure:
In a lengthwise manner, cut the zucchini into 4 slices that are ¼-inch thick. Pepper should be cut in fourths with the seeds removed. Each side of the zucchini, mushroom and pepper should be coated with cooking spray.

Put the peppers and zucchini on the broiler pan or grill rack coated with cooking spray. You need to broil this for about 3 up to 4 minutes for each side until it becomes tender. Add in the mushrooms and broil it again for another 1 up to 2 minutes. Take this out of the grill and sprinkle it with pepper, salt as well as sweet basil leaves.

On the toast, spread some cream cheese. Layer the pepper, zucchini, tomato and mushrooms on the two slices of toast. You can also add Spinach. Put the remaining toast slices on top and cut the sandwiches in half.

Grilled Portabella Mozzarella Vegetarian Sandwich
Ingredients are 2 large, golf ball-sized fresh mozzarella cheese balls, 4 sesame seed buns, 2 slices of portabella mushrooms (horizontally cut in half), 2 tablespoon balsamic vinegar, 1 large-sized red bell pepper (sliced to 4 long pcs.), 2 teaspoons olive oil, 1 tablespoon fresh chives (chopped), 2 tablespoon dried basil and onions, alfalfa sprouts or your favorite vegetable (optional).

Procedure:
Combine oil, cheese, basil, vinegar and chives in a blender. Blend everything smoothly and set aside. Broil or grill the mushrooms, giving it 3 minutes for each side or until it becomes tender. Grill unpeeled peppers until they become tender also, approximately 5 minutes per side. It is done when the skin becomes light brown and wrinkled.

Put the buns on the grill and slightly toast it. At the bottom part of each bum evenly spread the Mozzarella mixture. Cover this with red pepper as well as mushroom slices and serve them immediately.

Grilled Mediterranean Vegetable Sandwich
Ingredients are 2 red bell peppers, 1 eggplant (sliced to strips), 2 tablespoons of olive oil (divided), 3 crushed garlic cloves, 2 sliced Portobello mushrooms, 1 loaf Focaccia bread (1 pound) and 4 tablespoons of mayonnaise.

Procedure:
Preheat the oven to 200oC or 400oF.
Brush the red bell peppers and eggplant with 1 tablespoon of olive oil. You can add more, if necessary. This is actually dependent o the vegetable’s size. Place this on your baking sheet and roast it in the preheated oven. Make sure you roast the eggplant until it becomes tender. This will take about 25 minutes. At the same time, roast the peppers until they become black. After this, you can remove them from the oven and set them aside to cool down.

Heat 1 tablespoon of olive oil. Saute the mushrooms until they become tender. Stir the crushed garlic into the mayonnaise. Slice in half the Focaccia in a lengthwise manner. Spread the mayonnaise mixture on either 1 or both halves.

Peel off the cooled peppers, core it and slice it. On the Focaccia, arrange the peppers, eggplant and mushrooms. Place your sandwich in a plastic wrap, put a cutting board over it and weigh it down using some canned foods. Let the sandwich sit for about 2 hours, slice it and serve.

“This article is brought to you by Gus Woltmann”.

Current research shows that high quality fish oil (omega 3) can benefit those suffering from such problems as cardiovascular disease, psoriasis, and rheumatoid arthritis. And the list goes on. For example, in Science News, Johns Hopkins doctors have found that fish capsules can even prevent gallstones.

But the amount of omega3 fat in our diets is dismal…

Why?

Our diets have changed. What we eat is unhealthy and out of balance.

Our diets have changed more in the last 60 years than in the previous 1000 years. One of the worst of these changes has been the introduction of vegetable oils into our diet. This has been so pervasive throughout society (especially in America) that almost every fried food and snack from French fries to Fritos has been cooked in soybean, corn, safflower, sunflower, or canola oil.

All of these oils contain the Omega 6 (not Omega 3).

So while Omega 6 fatty acid intake has increased over the years, omega 3 fatty acids have declined.

Why?

Here’s a big reason: We don’t eat that much fish anymore…

But also, the fish we do eat is less omega 3 “potent” because it’s from a farm! And the farmed fish are fed the WRONG food.

Let me explain…

Over 42% of America’s fish is from farms. (The rest is from natural water sources which is often contaminated with dangerous levels of pollution).

Some of the most popular farmed fish are salmon, trout, catfish, shrimp, etc. Farming can be dangerous for 3 reasons:

1. Fish are overcrowded and fed antibiotics and chemicals to reduce disease and increase rapid growth.
2. Fish are fed grain and grain byproducts which lowers their omega 3 content.
3. Fish are NOT fed krill, algae, insects, minnows, etc. which would increase their natural omega 3 content.

What does this decrease in omega 3 and increase in omega 6 fatty acid mean?

Well, the food intake of our ancestors included a good balance of these essential fatty acids. They didn’t need the help of supplements because they consumed the right amount of omega 3 fatty acids in their natural food.

But this is not true today. Today we are riddled with many diseases directly linked to our poor diets and a large part may be attributed to lower levels of omega 3.

The answer: All About the Ratios

The ratio of omega 6 fatty acids to omega 3 fatty acids in our ancestors’ diet was 4 to 1. Today we are about 25 to 1. So, most of us already get plenty of omega 6 in the diet. Our goal should be to find suitable supplementation to drastically increase the omega 3 fatty acids.

You can go on your own and eat mega amounts of fish (which is probably overly toxic in the long term); OR try supplementing with a quality fish oil product from a reputable source, one that is purified properly, has the freshness to prevent rancidity, and contains the right amount fish oil — 400-600 mg of omega3 fatty acids per serving.

“This article is brought to you by Gus Woltmann”.

Coconut oil has been studied for years for its unusual health benefits- it is, after all, a saturated fat! However, when researchers studied the diets of Pacific island natives near New Zealand, they noted a lack of serious health problems. When the study group was introduced to a new environment and no longer had access to their regular source of coconut oil, health problems abounded- particularly high cholesterol and heart disease. The Western diet created a lot of problems that they hadn’t experienced before. Normally, saturated fats are the culprits for these issues and most are, but researchers have found coconut oil to be different.

A very visual example of just how different coconut oil is, think about this 1940s experiment. Farmers wanted an inexpensive way to bulk up their livestock so they fed them coconut oil. The result was just the opposite. The livestock leaned out, ate more and were more active. This result is similar to what happens when a person starts weight lifting and building fat-burning muscle.

So, what keeps this saturated fat from clogging up the arteries and packing on the pounds? It is the make-up of medium chain fatty acids- lauric, caprylic and myristic fatty acids. Unlike other fats that get stuck in the veins and arteries, these go to the liver where they become an energy source for the body. So, instead of storing the fat away for a rainy day, the body burns it. So, that’s why those cows acted like they had been pumping iron after eating coconut oil!

About half of the coconut oil is lauric acid. Once inside the body, it becomes monolaurin. Monolaurin is known for its virus-killing and bacteria fighting abilities. It aids in bolstering immunity and staving off illness. Breast milk is the only other comparable natural source of lauric acid.

Stay away from refined or hydrogenated coconut oils. Their benefits have been compromised and chemicals have been added. Virgin coconut oil is the best source for all the healthy benefits. It is processed using only fresh meat. There are two techniques to extract the oil from the coconut meat- a dry one and a wet one. The dry technique involves a quick dry of the meat before the oil is pressed out. When the meat is wet-milled, it is pressed into milk and then the oil is separated out from the water. Coconut oil is typically found in a hard bar or in a semi-solid state. It can be used for cooking and baking. A couple of tablespoons a day is also sufficient to receive benefits. It is even being packaged in soft gel form for easy dosing.

Though vegetable, canola, sunflower and other unsaturated fats are more popular and easy to find, coconut oil is having a revival. It was once popular and mainstream in the United States, but since the 1980s, there has been a decline in the use of coconut oil because of the fear and stigma associated with the term “saturated fat.” As more research comes out, more and more people are realizing that not all saturated fats are the same and coconut oil is finding a following once again.

“This article is brought to you by Gus Woltmann”.

Back in the 1980’s I owned a natural foods store. Amongst the products I readily recommended and personally used was extra virgin olive oil.

The better quality oils I marketed came from as far away as Spain, Italy, Greece and Israel. These were all lands where olives were grown for centuries. Oil was native to the local cuisine and consumed daily.

I loved to use oil. I added it to everything. I poured it on my baked potatoes, bread, salads, grains, pasta and humus. A meal wasn’t complete for me without it.

As the years passed I began to gain some extra weight, particularly around the waist, as is common amongst men in their mid fifties. My cholesterol levels also started to rise. This, however, was unexpected, as I was a vegetarian.

It was only recently, however, that I discovered the main cause of my added weight and rising cholesterol. To my disbelief, it was due to excessive consumption of olive oil.

I found this out when I began an exploratory study to find a way to reduce my cholesterol.

I came across a few books by Dr. Dean Ornish. Dr. Ornish is best known for his ability to help patients reverse heart disease by modifying their diet.

One of the first foods Dr. Ornish eliminates from a patient’s diet is refined vegetable oils.

As I continued my research I found that Dr. Caldwell Esselstyn, a leading authority in reversing heart disease with diet, also forbids his patients any oil.

This opinion is also shared by other highly respected nutritional doctors including John McDougall, M.D. and Joel Fuhrman, M.D., author of Eat to Live.

What’s the problem with oil? Here’s the story.

1. High in Empty Calories: While olive oil is clearly a healthier alternative than butter or margarine, it is not a health food. Olive oil is 100% fat, contains no fiber and no nutrients. It is a refined, processed food. You’re better off just eating the olive.

One tablespoon of olive oil is 120 calories. Ounce for ounce it is one of the most fattening, calorically dense foods in our diet. It contains even more calories per pound than butter.

Olive oil is said to go straight “from your lips to your hips,” or more accurately, direct to your belly. If you’re concerned about losing weight, giving up all vegetable oils is an easy and effective way to start.

2. High in Saturated Fat: Adding two tablespoons of oil to your salad has the fat equivalent of two scoops of ice cream. Personally, given the choice, I’d rather have the ice cream.

In clinical studies on humans, olive oil has been shown to be as bad for the heart as roast beef. It contains 14% saturated fat, which clogs the arteries and leads to heart disease and strokes.

There are those who site the Mediterranean diet and the low incidence of heart disease amongst the citizens of Crete as proof that a generous amount of olive oil in the diet is healthy.

Keep in mind, however, that when the study was conducted back in the early 1950’s, the people living in Crete ate lots of vegetables, fruits, whole grains, and a small amount of fish in addition to oil. They also worked in agriculture and were physically active.

The people of Crete today continue to consume much olive oil. Their diet, however, is no longer rich in vegetables and fruits. Rather, it resembles a typical American diet, heavy in meat, cheese and fish. In addition, they are less physically active.

As a result, heart disease in Crete has skyrocketed and more than half the populations of both adults and children are overweight.

On a personal note, twelve weeks after I cut all vegetable oils out of my diet my weight dropped by 18 lbs. Today some six months later, it has not come back. I can fit into my old clothes. Best of all, my cholesterol levels have dropped, and I no longer need to take medication. Remember, olive oil is good for lubricating machines and greasing your car. Please don’t add it to your food.

“This article is brought to you by Gus Woltmann”.

Got your attention? Good. Body oiling may only be practiced today in the West in certain, umm, intimate situations. But, worldwide and throughout history, it’s the commonest way to keep skin healthy. And it’s a lot cheaper than those creams and lotions from the pharmacy or supermarket.

So I’m recommending that you oil your skin for good health. If that makes you squirm, you’ve been taken in by some very subtle and pricy marketing, which has tried for decades to make you buy expensive skin products and regard the simple stuff of folk remedy as somehow rather icky. Did it take you in, too?

What’s Good for Skin — What’s Bad?

Your skin is essentially made from proteins. All of the outer part is dead cells, strongly bonded together to form a tough, germ-proof barrier and take all the knocks and abrasion. So your outer skin cells can’t look after themselves. Your skin gets hard use, yet it must stay supple or it will crack, exposing the live lower layers. Result? Pain and bleeding.

There’s just one way to keep that elasticity: oil. Your skin relies on natural oils from your sebaceous glands to stay supple and healthy. How much you produce, and how much you choose to apply, and how much you remove with detergents, decide your skin’s health more than anything else.

You can get your oil in an emulsion with water — a lotion or cream. It works fine and it’s easy to spread, but a mix like this can go rancid quickly. The big name cosmetics makers love lotions and creams. This way they can sell you a lot of water at a high price. They get round the rancidity problem by using mineral or refined oils and artificial preservatives. They also add a variety of other compounds, which may or may not have been shown to be useful but are certainly not vital. They all help to jack up the price.

Unfortunately, there are two problems with these additives. First, there are an awful lot of them, with no clear way to know how the combinations will react on your skin. Even eight additives will have hundreds of possible combinations of chemical reaction. How can the cosmetic chemists possibly test all of these?

Second, some of the chemicals, especially preservatives, are definitely poisonous. The cosmetic chemists rely on there being too little of any one chemical in the lotion or cream to damage you noticeably, but enough to keep the stuff safe in the pack till you’ve used it all. This may make your skin supple, but it’s bad news for long-term health. Remember, your skin is your body’s biggest organ, and it’s good at absorbing stuff for you to use. So what you put on your skin can get inside pretty quickly — including any poisons you slather on your skin.

There’s a better way to keep your skin supple. Just use oil.

Deep Down Skin Food

That’s right, get some ordinary vegetable oil, not that chemical stuff, called ‘mineral oil’, that’s often sold as baby oil. You could use cooking oil, for example. Just spread it thinly on your skin once a day and every time after using any detergent like soap, shampoo or shower gel. Spread it as thin as you can. If you need to, wipe excess away with towel or tissue. Enjoy soft, supple-feeling skin. Simple — and it feeds your skin perfectly. If you need it perfumed, add one or two drops of your favorite aromatic essential oil to each ounce/25g of oil.

The cosmetics makers don’t like you to do this. There’s no profit in it for them — oil is cheap. So they promote their expensive products with hype like ‘Hate that greasy feeling? Get Scaley Top lotion for soft skin’ — and try to get you to think that oil is ‘greasy’, which you’ve been taught by their other ads is like ‘dirty’. It’s not either. It’s healthy, though you may want to remove excess skin oils if you’re one of the minority who produce too much. Greasy skin is often a sign of bad diet, but never of being dirty.

They also like to sell you ‘anti-ageing’ stuff which will pull in wrinkles and make you look younger. These things usually work by including with the oil some chemicals that tighten up skin which has lost its elasticity (we all get this as we age).

Just plain oil gives good results, though, as frequent tests by independent researchers shows. But which oil?

The Good Oils

Traditionally, people have used the cheapest plain oil available in their area — because all food oils are Good Oils for your skin. For example, in the Mediterranean, they have used olive oil for millennia (think Roman Baths) and in the tropics it’s coconut oil. One African farm I know of produces avocados. Guess what the locals rub on their skin for good health?

You can do as they do — just pick the vegetable oil of your choice, as long as there are no ‘long life’ or ‘anti-foam’ additives in it. (Oh, and don’t eat that stuff, either! Chemicals!) I use rapeseed oil — it’s the cheapest unrefined oil in my supermarket. My wife uses almond oil at eight times the cost: she likes the scent and can’t bring herself to believe that something so cheap as plain cooking oil is so good. But it is.

The Best Oils

You can go further.

First, I recommend that you use raw oil by choice, rather than refined oil. It’s not cooked and it’s had no chemical processing. It will be called ‘cold-pressed’ and ‘virgin’ and — good idea — it might be ‘organic’, too.

Second, the finest oil for skin health is flax oil, often called linseed oil. This MUST be cold-pressed and kept in the fridge, too. It goes rancid very quickly — a week or two in the warm — but it’s the harder to get of the two essential fatty acids your body needs for health. If you wash at least once every two days, (surely…) there’ll be no rancid smell, and your body will thank you for it. Flax oil is mostly alpha-linolenic acid, an essential component of all your body’s cells, and it quickly absorbs into the deepest layers of your skin — it’s the ideal skin food. You can get it from health stores and some supermarkets. It’s pricey, but a lot cheaper to use than those commercial creams, if you remember that the cream is only about a third oil at the most.

But the best way to oil your skin is from the inside. Eat a tablespoonful of flax oil a day for a few weeks and you’ll be amazed by the change in your skin health. See my earlier article on Good Oils for details.

“This article is brought to you by Gus Woltmann”.

Disposing of used vegetable oil has always been a problem for restaurants. In recent years it has gotten easier with the increasing demand for biodiesel. Now many restaurants depend on free pickup services by biodiesel companies as a convenient and cheap way to dispose of their used fryer oil. Some even pay to have the stuff hauled away.

But what if you could take that oil and use it to save money, instead of just giving it away? Enter Vegawatt, a power system that uses vegetable oil to generate electricity and pre-heat water going to your water heater. It’s a self-contained unit that doesn’t require any special skills. You pretty much just add oil and clean it out once in a while.

The savings on your restaurant’s electricity and hot water bills can be significant. Vegawatt says the unit can save your business about $800 a month in electricity bills, although that does include a $100 per month renewable energy rebate from local government, which may or may not exist in your area. Smaller operators probably don’t generate enough oil to take advantage of the Vegawatt, and the company recommends the machine for establishments that have 3 – 5 deep fryers and generate at least 50 gallons of waste oil a week. If you do generate that much oil, however, you can realize a return on investment in 2 – 3 years.

Your used vegetable oil is now worth a lot more to you if you keep over giving it or selling it to a biodiesel company or paying to dispose of it. It’s pretty amazing what a little ingenuity can do for a lifelong problem in the restaurant business. Of course, there is some up-front investment required here, something that doesn’t sound very appealing, especially in a tight economy. Vegawatt does offer a leasing program as well, and you’ll be saving more than the cost of the monthly lease.

“This article is brought to you by Gus Woltmann”.

This article is for those who are a little more experienced at
making biodiesel at home and who wish to progress from using
straight vegetable oil to waste oil. As users of biodiesel fuel
know vegetable oil will react very similarly to diesel fuel in a diesel engine. Like diesel fuel, biodiesel will ignite when
compressed causing air in the engine cylinders to expand. This is
the energy that pushes the engine pistons into motion.

The reason you must make biodiesel is that if you burned straight
unprocessed oils in the diesel engine it would simply congeal and
then clot your fuel injectors and engine like cholesterol hardening
human arteries.

Read more on how to Make Your Own Biodiesel

There are many biodiesel recipes for removing the fatty acids from oil.

Here is a very common and reputable recipe for making biodiesel at home from waste oil.
You will need:

Used or fresh vegetable oil (that has been strained so that it is free of particulates such as food crumbs)

Lye

Methanol

Isopropyl Alcohol (99% IPA)

eyedropper- or other type of 1 milliliter dropper

PH paper (to test for acidity )

an old blender

plastic or glass measuring cups or beakers, with metric measures–
and/or a gram scale

plastic, glass or stainless stirrers and spoons,

plastic buckets

1. Dissolve 1 gram NaOH (Sodium Hydroxide- Lye) in 1000 ml. of water. This is your NaOH solution.

2. Dissolve 1ml. of wasted vegetable oil in 10 ml. Isopropyl Alcohol(IPA).

3. With an eyedropper, drop the diluted NaOH into wasted vegetable
oil mixture a milliliter at a time. Count the drops. After each
drop check the ph level of the WVO solution with standard ph
paper– you will see an eventual rise in the ph level. Continue to
add the NaOH solution into the WVO solution, a drop at a time,
until it reaches a ph of 8-9.

To determine your proportions, figure:
The number of drops of NaOH needed for the WVO solution to reach a ph of 8-9 1 ml. plus 3.5 g. NaOH to catalyze the oil.

Then go ahead and prepare a larger batch in your blender. Don’t
forget to clarify, settle and bubble wash this mixture as usual and remember to follow the usual safety precautions for making
biodiesel at home.

“This article is brought to you by Gus Woltmann”.

How much did you spend on your last tank of gas?

If you are like most people in the US, then you probably are spending between $30 to $40 per tank of gas these days. Now most of us fill up at least once a week, and if you do the math, that can add up to over $1,000 per year on just gas!

What if there was a way that you could run on free fuel?

What if there was a way that you could reduce the effects of global warming at the same time by using an alternative fuel, like biodiesel–but better and way, way cheaper…(how much cheaper can you get than FREE!)…

Would you be interested?

Few people know that there is a readily available alternative fuel to gasoline that is available right now for FREE all over the country and is better than biodiesel.

Sound too good to be true?

I was originally very skeptical that this technology could actually work, so I read everything I could get my hands on. After years of research I finally took the plunge and converted my car to run on this free alternative fuel, and now–thousands of FREE miles later–I can unabashedly state that if you are paying for gasoline at the pump, then you are THROWING YOUR MONEY OUT THE WINDOW!

You don’t have to pay $2.00 or more per gallon to drive a car!

By using vegetable oil fuel technology, you can literally drive on a waste product that other people are throwing away!

My friends tell me that this all sounds like “Back to the Future,” and I admit that it is kind of similar, but let me ask you a question.

If you could drive for free and help the environment at the same time, would you?

Back in the early 1900’s a man by the name of Rudolph Diesel invented an engine that could run on any type of oil or grease. Petroleum oil, peanut oil, canola oil, you name it–his engine could run on it. Not only was his engine versatile, but many of his original prototypes are still in operation today, almost a hundred years later!

This engine was named the Diesel engine after its inventor, and shortly after its premier the petroleum oil industry developed a type of fuel specifically for the engine and named it Diesel fuel. An environmentally-friendly version that was made from plant based oils rather than petroleum also became available called BioDiesel.

The world then promptly forgot that the Diesel engine could run on vegetable oils, since Diesel fuel was so cheap and easy to get at the pump.

But today, with the soaring prices of Gasoline, Diesel, Biodiesel, Kerosene, and home heating fuel, this alternative fuel technology has been rediscovered!

It is possible to run any Diesel engine with straight waste vegetable oil (also known as WVO or SVO) if a conversion kit is installed to make it a “GreaseCar.” Vegetable oil or fryer grease is usuall free and it is readily available since many businesses and farmers throw it away as a waste product!

Isn’t that weird?

I mean, can you imagine people throwing away gasoline? Can you imagine anyone throwing away home heating oil or kerosene?

It’s absolutely ludicrous!

Every year in the US, the fast food industry alone throws away over six billion gallons of waste vegetable oil!

If you had a Diesel engine, you could use some of that as FREE FUEL!

Just imagine not having to pay for fuel again…you and your greasecar could take those long trips that you have been putting off because gas costs too much these days…

You could take the money you’d save on gas and use it to buy those sweet tires or that awesome stereo you’ve been wanting…

AND, at the same time you would actually be recycling! You see, using waste vegetable oil or grease as an alternative fuel is actually recycling a waste product. Instead of the waste oil going into a landfill you could be using it in a greasecar to commute to work. Instead of all of that oil from the local fast food restaurant going down the drain, you could use it to drive to the beach in your greasecar!

Since I converted my car to run on straight vegetable oil with a GreaseCar kit, I have driven literally thousands of miles without having to buy gas at a gas station. My friends are all amazed that it actually works, and they are all begging me to help them convert their cars!

There just aren’t enough hours in the day for me to help them all personally, so I am publishing articles and information like this to help everyone save money and the world. Do a google search for WVO or for greasecar, or visit your local library to find out how you can join the revolution. It doesn’t take much and you can reduce your ecological footprint and be the envy of every gas-guzzling friend around you!

“This article is brought to you by Gus Woltmann”.

Understanding Fats…

While cooking oils are pure fat, they are not created equal. All cooking oils are a combination of saturated, polyunsaturated and monounsaturated fats. It is the concentration of hydrogen that determines how they are categorized. Without getting too technical, the following information will hopefully provide a basic understanding of fats.

Saturated Fats:

Saturated fats are found in animal products and are converted into cholesterol by the liver. Butter, margarine, meats and dairy products are especially high in saturated fat. Saturated fat will elevate blood cholesterol levels and is associated with increased rates of heart disease and stroke. It is solid at room temperature.

Unsaturated Fats:

There are two types of unsaturated fats: monounsaturated and polyunsaturated. Monounsaturated and polyunsaturated fats do not raise blood cholesterol levels. Canola and olive oils contain the highest proportion of monounsaturated fat when compared with other cooking oils. Safflower and corn oil are the highest in polyunsaturated fats.

Trans Fats:

Trans fats are man-made or processed fats, which are made from a liquid oil. When hydrogen is added to liquid vegetable oil and pressure is added, the result is a stiffer fat, like the fat found in a can of Crisco. Trans fats are also called hydrogenated fats and are found in margarine and trans fat partially hydrogenated vegetable oils. Trans fats pose a greater risk of heart disease than saturated fats (which were once believed to be the worst kind of fats). While it is true that saturated fats (found in butter, cheese, beef, coconut and palm oil) raise total cholesterol levels, trans fats not only raise total cholesterol levels, they also deplete good cholesterol (HDL), which helps protect against heart disease.

Partially Hydrogenated Fats:

If you have health concerns, read food labels to see if they list “partially hydrogenated oil” as an ingredient. Partially hydrogenated oils are present in all commercially made donuts, crackers, cookies, pastries, deep-fat fried foods (including those from all major fast-food chains), potato and corn chips, imitation cheeses, and confectionery fats found in frosting and candies. All of these products contain unsaturated fats which can be damaged at high temperatures and converted to a trans fat.

Understanding the Difference between Refined and Unrefined Cooking Oils…

Refined Oils:

Refined oils are extracted by solvent extraction for further refining in order to produce clear oil that is free from rancidity and foreign matter. These oils are used as medium cooking oils (225°F to 350°F), high cooking oils (350°F to 450°F) and deep frying oils (greater than 450°F). Refined oils are bland and pale. They have negligible flavor and aroma which makes them ideal for preparing delicately flavored dishes. Use for baking, sauteing, stir-fry and wok cooking, baking, searing, browning, deep-frying and pan-frying.

Unrefined Oils:

Unrefined oils are processed by cold-pressed and expeller-pressed methods. They carry the true flavor of the plant from which the oil is made. The strong flavor of unrefined oils may overwhelm the dish or baked good that is prepared with them; however, strong flavor is not always undesirable and some unrefined oils are used as flavoring agents. (Generally, when there is a strong natural flavor and aroma, there is a higher amount of nutritional value.) These oils are typically called salad oils and are used for salad dressings, marinades, sauces and as light cooking oils for light sautes and low heat baking. As a general rule, they should not be cooked at high temperatures. (The one exception is unrefined safflower oil which is capable of reaching a temperature necessary for deep-frying.) Unrefined oils should not be used at temperatures above 320°F.

Various Cooking Oils and Recommended Use…

Some oils have low smoke points, which means that they will burn at low temperatures. These oils, typically called salad oils, are best used for salad dressings, marinades, sauces and as light cooking oils for light sautes and low heat baking. Other cooking oils have a high smoke point, which means that they can reach higher temperatures without smoking. These particular oils are ideal for deep-frying, pan-frying and sauteing. The information below will discuss various types of cooking oils and their recommended use.
# Canola – Canola oil is a monounsaturated oil extracted from the seeds of a plant in the mustard family. It has a mild flavor and aroma and is most commonly available in a refined form. It has a bland flavor and is recommended for deep-frying, pan-frying, sauteing, baking and preparing salad dressings. Its mild flavor and relatively high smoke point (400°F) make refined canola oil a good all-purpose oil. Of all the cooking oils, canola has the least amount of saturated fat (6%) and is the least expensive.
# Corn – Made from the germ of the corn kernel, corn oil is almost tasteless and is high in polyunsaturated fat (62%). It is used to make margarine, salad dressings and mayonnaise. With a smoke point of 450°F, it is excellent for pan-frying and deep-frying because it can withstand high temperatures without smoking.
# Olive – Olive oil is a monounsaturated oil extracted from tree-ripened olives. The color may range from light amber to green with flavors that range from bland to extremely strong. Olive oil is graded according to its degree of acidity and the process used to extract the oil. Oil labeled “virgin” is cold pressed (a process using no heat or chemicals) and contains low levels of acidity. It provides the body with vitamins E and F. Oil labeled “pure” uses heat and chemicals to process olive residue from subsequent pressings. Unrefined olive oil has a smoke point of 320°F and is recommended for baking, sauteing, stir-frying and wok cooking.
# Peanut – Made from pressed, steam-cooked peanuts, peanut oil contains 18% saturated fat. It has a bland flavor and is good for cooking because it doesn’t absorb or transfer flavors. Frying with peanut oil gives foods a rich, nutty, roasted flavor. Refined peanut oil has a smoke point of 450°F and is recommended for stir-frying, wok cooking, pan-frying and deep-frying.
# Safflower – Made from safflower seeds, safflower oil is pale yellow and almost flavorless. It has more polyunsaturated fat that other oils (78%) but lacks vitamin E. It is considered a good, all-purpose cooking oil. Safflower oil is a favorite for salads because it does not solidify when chilled. Refined safflower oil has a smoke point of 450°F and is recommended for deep-frying, pan-frying, sauteing and baking.
# Sesame – Made from pressed sesame seeds, sesame oil is high in polyunsaturated fat (43%) and monounsaturated fat (42%). It comes in two varieties, light and dark. Light sesame oil is made with untoasted sesame seeds and has a nutty flavor. It is especially good for stir-frying, wok cooking and preparing dressings. Dark sesame oil (Asian) is made with toasted sesame seeds and has a much stronger flavor than light sesame oil. It should only be used in small quantities for flavoring foods; it is not suitable for cooking. Refined sesame oil has a smoke point of 350°F and semirefined sesame oil has a smoke point of 450°F.
# Soybean – Highly refined soybean oil is reasonably priced, very mild, versatile and it represents approximately 80% of all the cooking oils used in commercial food production in the USA. Almost any product that lists vegetable oil as an ingredient most likely contains refined soybean oil. With a smoke point of 450°F, soybean oil is a good, all-purpose oil. Use for deep-frying, pan-frying, wok cooking, stir-frying and baking.
# Sunflower – Made from sunflower seeds, sunflower oil is pale yellow in color, has a bland flavor and is considered a good, all-purpose oil. It is low in saturated fat and high in polyunsaturated fat. Semirefined sunflower oil has a smoke point of 450°F and is excellent for sauteing, preparing salad dressings, deep-frying and pan-frying.
# Vegetable – Vegetable oil is an inexpensive, all-purpose oil which is a blend of refined oils made from vegetables, nuts and seeds. Most vegetable oils are made from soybeans and are high in monounsaturated fat, high in polyunsaturated fat and low in saturated fat. Designed to have a mild flavor and a high smoke point, it is recommended for deep-frying, pan-frying, sauteing and baking.

Note: The American Heart Association Cookbook, Fifth Edition, recommends all of the above cooking oils with the exception of peanut oil due to its high saturated fat content.

Miscellaneous Facts, Tips and Warnings…
# Essential fatty acids are vital for good health. Without some fats in our diets, we cannot absorb the fat-soluble vitamins A, D, E and K.
# All cooking oils contain 100% fat.
# A tablespoon of cooking oil contains 14 grams of fat.
# All cooking oils contain the same number of calories – one tablespoon contains 120 calories.
# For better health, choose oils/fats that are low in saturated fat.
# Cooking oil used for deep-frying can usually be reused several times. Wait until the oil has cooled completely before handling then strain it into a clean sealable container for storing.
# The most accurate method of testing the temperature of oil for deep-frying is a deep-fat thermometer. Make sure the bulb of your thermometer is completely immersed in the oil, but not touching the bottom of the pan. Otherwise, the reading could be affected. If a deep-fat thermometer is not available, the age-old method of dropping a square of bread into the hot oil will suffice. If the bread cube rises to the surface crackling and frying, the oil’s hot enough.

Rule of thumb when using this method – If the bread cube browns uniformly in:

60 seconds, the temperature is 350-365°F

40 seconds, the temperature is about 365-382°F

20 seconds, the temperature is about 382-390°F

# To dispose of used cooking oil, carefully pour cooled oil into a strong sealable container, such as an old plastic jar with a lid or old coffee can. (Avoid using breakable glass jars.) If the amount of oil is small, place the filled, sealed jar in the trash. Dispose of large amounts of cooking oil by taking it to the local landfill.
# Do not pour cooking oil down the kitchen drain. Even small amounts will eventually clog the plumbing.
# Remember to always wait until cooking oil has cooled completely before handling.

“This article is brought to you by Gus Woltmann”.

Sunflower oil, corn oil and soybean oil are rich in linoleic acid (LA or Omega 6), another polyunsaturated acid. Lack of it will slow your growth and will lead to transformations in your skin cells, endocrine gland, mucous membrane and sex organs. You can cover your need for linoleic acid, if you take 1 table spoon of the oils.

Vegetable oils have the ability to increase the HDL (good) cholesterol that your body needs and this will help to cleanse the blood vessels from the deposits. Also, vegetable oils will lower the LDL (bad) cholesterol. It will prevent atherosclerosis. The healthiest oils are made of olives, flax seeds, walnuts and cedar nuts. Peanut oil and corn oil may provoke an allergic reaction in some people. Nevertheless, all vegetable oils can treat many disorders.

Rapeseed oil, wheat seed oil, flaxseed and walnut oil are very rich in alpha-linoleic acid (ALA or Omega 3), a polyunsaturated fatty acid, which is very important for the biochemical processes in your nervous system. Lack of alpha-linoleic acid will lead to a decreased ability to learn, nerve signal’s deflection, an increased risk of thrombosis and it will decrease your body’s ability to resist alcohol. You can get your daily dose of alpha-linoleic acid, if you take 1 table spoon of rapeseed oil or eat 4-6 walnuts a day.

Olive oil, grapeseed oil, ground nut oil, peanut oil, flaxseed oil, sesame oil, canola oil and corn oil are rich in oleic acid, monounsaturated fatty acid, which is very important for the formation of brain cells and the right function of your nervous system. Olive oil is great in lowering ‘bad’ cholesterol and prevents and treats atherosclerosis. All vegetable oils, except peanut oil, are recommended if you have high blood pressure, diabetes and small stones in your bile duct. Please send your review to Indo Munch

Your daily dose of vegetable oil should be 3-4 table spoons. Use it in salads or vegetable sides. Do not eat just one kind of oil or substitute all fat in your diet for only vegetable oils because your body needs different fats. But if you want to feel healthy and happy, vegetable oils should still predominate.

“This article is brought to you by Gus Woltmann”.

In a time when oil supplies are beginning to be depleted, the need to have alternate or renewable fuel sources is beginning to have an effect on the kinds of cars being offered for sale to the public. There are very few in the public today who have not heard the terms “biodiesel fuel” or “waste vegetable oil” in regards to renewable energy sources that are currently being researched to try and find answers to the shrinking supplies of petroleum-based fuels.

Technically speaking, waste vegetable oil is a biodiesel fuel because biodiesel fuels are any fuels that are derived from vegetable oils or animal fats that run a “diesel” or compression ignition engine. The term Biodiesel is currently used almost exclusively for the product made by combining chemically-reacting lipids like vegetable oil or animal tallow and alcohol.

One important difference between biodiesel and waste vegetable oil is that biodiesel is formulated to be used alone or with petrodiesal blends in “standard” diesel engines and is different from the new vegetable and waste oils which are used to power diesel engines that must be converted specifically to do so.

To produce biodiesel fuels, the oils must undergo a process known as “alcoholysis” (sometimes called “transesterification”). In this process vegetable oils have the fatty acids separated from the glycerol components using ethanol (and sometimes methanol) to replace the glycerol with specific types of alcohols known as short linear alcohols. In its purest form, biodiesel has the designation (B100) or it can be blended with petroleum diesel at any concentration for use in most modern diesel engines.

Because of the different solvent properties that biodiesel has versus petrodiesel, biodiesel will cause damage to natural rubber gaskets and hoses in vehicles made prior to 1992. For this reason, these parts in older cars must be replaced with a kind which is nonreactive to biodiesel.

An unexpected plus is that biodiesel has been known to break down and clear out deposits of residue left in fuel lines where petrodiesel has been used before. Fuel filters in the engine might become clogged with particulate matter as a result, especially if a quick switch to pure biodiesel is made. Mechanical experts recommend that the fuel filters on engines and heaters be changed not long after first switching to a biodiesel fuel blend.

Additional advantages to the use of biodiesel fuels include the fact that water will not mix with it; biodiesel has a higher boiling point and flash point of (less than 266 ° F for biodiesel as compared to 147 °F for petroleum-based diesel or -52 °F for gasoline. It has practically no sulfur content and is often used as an additive for Ultra-Low Sulfur Diesel (ULSD) fuel.

Waste vegetable oil (WVO), unlike pure plant oil (PPO) or straight vegetable oil (SVO) is a byproduct of other industries such as the deep fryers used in industrial potato processing plants, factories that produce snack foods and fast food restaurants. A majority of the enthusiasts who use it prefer to call the vegetable oil used for fuel as waste vegetable oil (WVO), particularly if it is the discarded oil recycled from a restaurant to better distinguish it from pure plant oil (PPO) or straight vegetable oil (SVO) commonly thought of as standard biodiesel

As of 2000, industry experts estimate that the United States was producing an amount in excess of 11 billion liters or 2.9 billion U.S. gallons. If this entire amount could be gathered up and used, it could be used to replace the equivalent amount of fossil-based petroleum, totaling almost 1% of the oil consumption in the US. The only theoretical drawback here is that the production of waste vegetable oil is limited by the amount that the industries can make as a byproduct versus pure or straight vegetable oil which is limited only by the farm production capacity of any given national economy.

Like the straight vegetable oil used as an alternative fuel for diesel engines, the viscosity of waste vegetable oil must be lowered so the proper atomization of fuel will prevent the incomplete combustion of the oil and the build-up of carbon that can ultimately damage the engine. Additionally, the free fatty acids (FFAs) found in WVO can have an adverse effect on metals. Copper and the alloys derived from it, like brass, are affected. Zinc and Metals like zinc, or those galvanized by zinc-plating are stripped by FFAs. In addition, tin, lead, iron, and steel are all susceptible, too. Stainless steel and aluminum are the only metals that seem to be immune to the effects of FFAs.

Ideally the engine on a car should be converted before using vegetable oil as a fuel. Most diesel car engines can use WVO, if fit with suitable modifications. One common solution is to reduce the viscosity and surface tension of the oil by preheating it, by the addition of a heat exchanger, and an additional fuel tank for “normal” diesel fuel (petrodiesel or biodiesel). It will contain valves to switch between this additional tank and the main tank which contains the vegetable oil. This tank and valve system is an aftermarket modification which costs around $1200 USD.

The engine is initially turned on with diesel, switched over to the vegetable oil when it is warmed up and changed back to diesel fuel shortly before turning it off to make sure that no vegetable oil remains in the engine or fuel lines so that it is read you start when it is cold again. For durability that is more long term, it has been discovered that it is best to increase the frequency of oil changes and to pay increased attention to engine maintenance, particularly when it comes to the fuel injectors, cooling system and glow plugs.

Although initially a little more expensive, as you can see, there are several advantages to using biodiesel or waste vegetable oil as fuels for vehicles. In addition to being a renewable resource, unlike fossil-based petroleum, these fuels also release fewer pollutants into the atmosphere which can worsen global warming.

“This article is brought to you by Gus Woltmann”.

In a time when oil supplies are beginning to be depleted, the need to have alternate or renewable fuel sources is beginning to have an effect on the kinds of cars being offered for sale to the public. There are very few in the public today who have not heard the terms “biodiesel fuel” or “waste vegetable oil” in regards to renewable energy sources that are currently being researched to try and find answers to the shrinking supplies of petroleum-based fuels.

Technically speaking, waste vegetable oil is a biodiesel fuel because biodiesel fuels are any fuels that are derived from vegetable oils or animal fats that run a “diesel” or compression ignition engine. The term Biodiesel is currently used almost exclusively for the product made by combining chemically-reacting lipids like vegetable oil or animal tallow and alcohol.

One important difference between biodiesel and waste vegetable oil is that biodiesel is formulated to be used alone or with petrodiesal blends in “standard” diesel engines and is different from the new vegetable and waste oils which are used to power diesel engines that must be converted specifically to do so.

To produce biodiesel fuels, the oils must undergo a process known as “alcoholysis” (sometimes called “transesterification”). In this process vegetable oils have the fatty acids separated from the glycerol components using ethanol (and sometimes methanol) to replace the glycerol with specific types of alcohols known as short linear alcohols. In its purest form, biodiesel has the designation (B100) or it can be blended with petroleum diesel at any concentration for use in most modern diesel engines.

Because of the different solvent properties that biodiesel has versus petrodiesel, biodiesel will cause damage to natural rubber gaskets and hoses in vehicles made prior to 1992. For this reason, these parts in older cars must be replaced with a kind which is nonreactive to biodiesel.

An unexpected plus is that biodiesel has been known to break down and clear out deposits of residue left in fuel lines where petrodiesel has been used before. Fuel filters in the engine might become clogged with particulate matter as a result, especially if a quick switch to pure biodiesel is made. Mechanical experts recommend that the fuel filters on engines and heaters be changed not long after first switching to a biodiesel fuel blend.

Additional advantages to the use of biodiesel fuels include the fact that water will not mix with it; biodiesel has a higher boiling point and flash point of (less than 266 ° F for biodiesel as compared to 147 °F for petroleum-based diesel or -52 °F for gasoline. It has practically no sulfur content and is often used as an additive for Ultra-Low Sulfur Diesel (ULSD) fuel.

Waste vegetable oil (WVO), unlike pure plant oil (PPO) or straight vegetable oil (SVO) is a byproduct of other industries such as the deep fryers used in industrial potato processing plants, factories that produce snack foods and fast food restaurants. A majority of the enthusiasts who use it prefer to call the vegetable oil used for fuel as waste vegetable oil (WVO), particularly if it is the discarded oil recycled from a restaurant to better distinguish it from pure plant oil (PPO) or straight vegetable oil (SVO) commonly thought of as standard biodiesel

As of 2000, industry experts estimate that the United States was producing an amount in excess of 11 billion liters or 2.9 billion U.S. gallons. If this entire amount could be gathered up and used, it could be used to replace the equivalent amount of fossil-based petroleum, totaling almost 1% of the oil consumption in the US. The only theoretical drawback here is that the production of waste vegetable oil is limited by the amount that the industries can make as a byproduct versus pure or straight vegetable oil which is limited only by the farm production capacity of any given national economy.

Like the straight vegetable oil used as an alternative fuel for diesel engines, the viscosity of waste vegetable oil must be lowered so the proper atomization of fuel will prevent the incomplete combustion of the oil and the build-up of carbon that can ultimately damage the engine. Additionally, the free fatty acids (FFAs) found in WVO can have an adverse effect on metals. Copper and the alloys derived from it, like brass, are affected. Zinc and Metals like zinc, or those galvanized by zinc-plating are stripped by FFAs. In addition, tin, lead, iron, and steel are all susceptible, too. Stainless steel and aluminum are the only metals that seem to be immune to the effects of FFAs.

Ideally the engine on a car should be converted before using vegetable oil as a fuel. Most diesel car engines can use WVO, if fit with suitable modifications. One common solution is to reduce the viscosity and surface tension of the oil by preheating it, by the addition of a heat exchanger, and an additional fuel tank for “normal” diesel fuel (petrodiesel or biodiesel). It will contain valves to switch between this additional tank and the main tank which contains the vegetable oil. This tank and valve system is an aftermarket modification which costs around $1200 USD.

The engine is initially turned on with diesel, switched over to the vegetable oil when it is warmed up and changed back to diesel fuel shortly before turning it off to make sure that no vegetable oil remains in the engine or fuel lines so that it is read you start when it is cold again. For durability that is more long term, it has been discovered that it is best to increase the frequency of oil changes and to pay increased attention to engine maintenance, particularly when it comes to the fuel injectors, cooling system and glow plugs.

Although initially a little more expensive, as you can see, there are several advantages to using biodiesel or waste vegetable oil as fuels for vehicles. In addition to being a renewable resource, unlike fossil-based petroleum, these fuels also release fewer pollutants into the atmosphere which can worsen global warming.

“This article is brought to you by Gus Woltmann”.

New research by a University of Minnesota professor and a graduate student shows that when highly unsaturated vegetable oils are heated at frying temperature (365 F) for extended periods–or even for half an hour–a highly toxic compound, HNE (4-hydroxy-trans-2-nonenal) forms in the oil.

A. Saari Csallany, professor of food chemistry and nutritional biochemistry at U. of Minn. said “HNE is a well known, highly toxic compound that is easily absorbed from the diet.

The toxicity arises because the compound is highly reactive with proteins, nucleic acids–DNA and RNA–and other biomolecules.

HNE is formed from the oxidation of linoleic acid, and reports have related it to several diseases, including atherosclerosis, stroke, Parkinson’s, Alzheimer’s, Huntington’s and liver diseases.”

Nutritionists regard vegetable oils such as soybean, sunflower and corn as heart-healthy because of their high levels of linoleic acid, a polyunsaturated fatty acid.

HNE is incorporated into fried food in the same concentration as it forms in the heated oil.

Csallany’s work underscores the risk of repeated heating, or reusing, highly unsaturated oils for frying because HNE accumulates with each heating cycle. In future studies, Csallany and her colleagues plan to determine how long polyunsaturated oil must be heated at lower temperatures in order to form HNE and its related compounds.

“This article is brought to you by Gus Woltmann”.

There are various methods of extracting vegetable oil from olives, seeds, beans, grains or nuts. The first way utilizes a hydraulic press. This is an age-old method, and it still produces arguably the best quality of oil. There are only two materials that can yield oil without being heated first, and those are olives and sesame seeds. So, olive oil and sesame oil are the only oils that can truly be called “cold pressed”. That term, as well as “virgin”, are terms that are actually meaningless to consumers.

These terms don’t have a legal definition, since they can mean virtually whatever the manufacturer wants them to mean. They don’t give the consumer any real description of the product that the label is describing. To organic merchants, these labels will not be used to mislead customers. The term “virgin” in olive oil refers only to the processing without heat by a hydraulic press. “Cold press” refers only to the use of hydraulic presses without added heat.

The second method used to produce vegetable oil is one that uses a continuous press with a worm shaft that is constantly rotating. The operators will put cooked materials into one end, and then they are placed under pressure, continuously, until it is discharged from the other end, with the oil having been squeezed out.

The last method of making oil is called extraction, whereby materials that bear oils are steam cooked, ground and then mixed with a base that dissolves from the oils, which leaves a residue that is dry. This is the method used by major manufacturers to make oil.

The full process of refining vegetable oil is analogous to the refinement of whole sugar and whole wheat into white oils. Oils are generally lipid materials that are derived from plants. They may be of a liquid consistency at room temperature, and fats when they are solid. Chemically, they are both composed of triglycerides. Even though many parts of plants can make oil, oil is usually extracted from seeds.

Oils and fats may be inedible or edible. Some inedible oils and fats include tung oil, linseed oil and castor oil that’s used in making pharmaceuticals, cosmetics, paints and lubricants.

Many oils can be consumed or used as food ingredients, a role that they typically share with ghee, butter and animal fats. The oils work in the following ways:

Flavor base – oils can carry other ingredients’ flavors
Flavor – some oils have specific flavors associated with them.
Texture – oils can be used to make other ingredients do less sticking together.
Shortening – to give your pastry a texture that is crumbly.

Vegetable oil can also be heated, and then used to cook other types of foods.

“This article is brought to you by Gus Woltmann”.

There was a time when the health and fitness movement was warning us of the hazards of lard and telling us vegetable oil was a better choice when cooking. These days, professionals are warning us of the dangers of many vegetable oils and heaping praise on Gourmet extra virgin olive oil as the healthy cooking oil.

The health benefits of extra virgin olive oil are being discovered every day it seems. Once this oil was thought to be only beneficial to the skin. Now new studies have shown that extra virgin olive oil is very heart friendly and can slow down or even prevent the growth of some types of Cancer cells.

So you see, there is a healthy choice that you can use when cooking for your family. It’s Gourmet extra virgin olive oil! Let’s forget about the health benefits for one moment. This oil just taste better than many of the bland vegetable oils on the market. Not only that, but the first pressed extra virgin oil can have distinctive taste depending on what region of the World it comes from

In recent decades, California has started producing some fine extra virgin oil that can rival that of the best oils from Italy, Spain, Greece and other traditional produces of this valuable oil. Try some oil from California producers and see if it isn’t every bit as good as the more traditional producers from around the World.

When cooking with oil from olives, remember that EVOO should never be used at higher cooking temps. For this type of cooking, you’ll want to get oil that is blended with Canola oil or try using olive oil labeled “Pure”. These types of oils have a higher smoke point that EVOO.

Now you can improve the health quality of the food you serve your family and increase the taste, simply by switching from vegetable oil to a Gourmet olive oil. And the price is right also, many are surprised how affordable it is when compared to vegetable oil.

“This article is brought to you by Gus Woltmann”.

One of the worst problems in the cleaning of cars is the wide variety of stains that appear on the seats, carpet and interior. We will discuss the ways to clean such tough stains in car interiors as Oil, Grease, Butter, Vegetable Oil, Margarine, Cosmetic Crème Stains. First off the important thing is to use a Neutral soap or Neutral products with a ph of 7. (PH is measured on a scale of 0-14 for acidity or alkalinity) 7 are in the middle meaning neutral. This way none of the products used will form chemical reactions while using them.

Mobile Auto Detailing and Mobile Car Washes use a variety of trade secrets to clean such stains effortlessly and efficiently and charge quite a bit to do it. The average cost to detail the interior two front seats of a car is $25.00 plus carpet shampoo of $25.00.

Some companies recommend certain brands to their mobile car wash teams. The best types of cleaners for these stains are solvent based and should be used carefully. They can combine and make more of a mess if not used properly. Caution is important and a virtue and this is truer in this scenario than in any other part of auto detailing. First clean up the main mess by scraping excess and getting it down to as small an area as possible. Plastic razor blades work good for this. Then gently dab your solvent cleaner on the stain without ripping and it should start to come up. If you get no discoloration from this you can then wipe gently. When you are all completed try using some foam type upholstery cleaner and wipe. Then perhaps some warm water on a rag to finish the job.

“This article is brought to you by Gus Woltmann”.

The diets of most North Americans and Europeans have dramatically changed over the last thirty years. Refined vegetable oil, specifically soybean oil, is now being used in most snack foods, breads, sweets, and processed foods to such an extent approximately 20% of the total caloric intake is estimated to come from this source alone.

Why is this so dangerous for our health?

Refined vegetable oil, like soybean oil, is an omega 6 fatty acid. Our body needs fats to survive, but many nutritional experts believe that to achieve optimal health humans need to balance their fat intake between omega 6 fatty acids, derived from seeds and nuts, and omega 3 fatty acids, primarily found in the fat of cold water fish such as salmon, sardines, herring, and mackerel. Today instead of a 1:1 balanced intake of omega 6 and omega 3 fatty acids, most western diets consume between a 10:1 to a 50:1 ratio of omega 6 to omega 3 fatty acids. Changing that ratio is the best thing we can do to change the future of our health today.

Increased omega 6 intake can be attributed to obesity, depression, hyperactivity, and possibly even violence. Omega 6 fatty acids increase inflammation at the cellular level, which may explain the rise in hypertension, heart disease, certain types of cancers, asthma, and cognitive degenerative diseases. Omega 3 fatty acids on the other hand are precursors for anti-inflammation agents and help counterbalance the negative effects from the high levels of omega 6 fats we consume every day in our diets.

Omega 3 is a type of essential fatty acids and our bodies do make them on our own. We have to obtain the necessary amounts from our diets. However, since the chief source of omega 3 fatty acids is cold water fish, the average person would need to consume approximately four pounds of fresh fish per day to receive the same health benefits from two grams of a superior omega 3 fish oil supplement.

Simple changes to our diets to reduce our omega 6 fatty acid intake may be difficult due to the wide ranging use of soybean oils in processed foods. The best bet to reduce your omega 6 fatty acid intake is to avoid processed foods in favor of freshly prepared meals. Increase your fish intake and start taking a superior omega 3 fish oil supplement to help balance your bodies need for essential fatty acids.

JC McDowell is the editor of BEST HEALTH TODAY an online health and wellness newsletter. Daily health tips inform and engage readers on current health topics.

“This article is brought to you by Gus Woltmann”.

Gas is on the rise and it’s expected to continue to climb. We now need to find ways to stay ahead of the game and save money on gas. Here’s two ways to get around the high costs of fuel and literally drive for cheap:

1. Vegetable Oil. Note: This process will only work with a diesel vehicle (see #2 for gasoline vehicles).

What this consists of is converting your diesel car or truck to run off of free vegetable oil. The conversion can be relatively straight forward and you can buy an already put together kit that you and your buddies can install over a weekend. The other option, which is cheaper, is just getting the same parts as in the kit separately. This can save a bunch of money and the parts are generally just as good.

The free vegetable oil will come from grease bins in the back of fast food or Chinese restaurants. You have to filter out the grease a few times to get it clean, but since it is free this process is definitely worth it. Plus you can now buy filtering pumps that will do all the work for you.

2. Run your Car with Water, saving a ton of money on gas.

Here is a new process that works for gas cars and trucks, (and actually diesels too if you don’t want to do the vegetable oil conversion). You are not running solely on water, rather it consists of running your vehicle by supplementing water with gasoline. This can literally double your gas mileage and obviously save thousands of dollars a year.

This requires a conversion as well, but it is a do it yourself process, and it’s easily reversible so it will not interfere with your car warranty’s, nor will it harm your vehicle. Essentially you are using electricity from you car battery to separate water into a gas that burns smoothly and efficiently.

“This article is brought to you by Gus Woltmann”.

When Rudolph Diesel invented his diesel engine in the late 19th century, it was designed to run on vegetable oil diesel. Because fossil fuels were cheaper than vegetable oil, this aspect of his discovery was never pursued.

Interestingly, in 1912, Diesel was quoted as saying “The fact that fat oils from vegetable sources can be used may seem insignificant today, but such oils may perhaps become, in the course of time, of the same importance as some natural mineral oils and tar products are now.”

Enthusiasts of the motor vehicle have experimented with alternate fuels throughout the 20th century, many of them successfully using vegetable oil as a fuel. There was also periodic research conducted in that time, but it mainly occurred when there was a shortage of petroleum. Biodiesel continued to be the preferred alternative fuel because no modifications were needed to the engine.

Both new and used oil can be utilized as a diesel fuel. Waste or used vegetable oil (WVO) comes from restaurants and food processors, after it has been used for frying food. Unused oils are called straight vegetable oil (SVO) or pure plant oil (PPO) to avoid any confusion with the blended fuel called biodiesel.

Rapeseed or canola is the plant most often used for the fuel, although sunflower oil is being researched for its suitability as well. In the South Pacific, some nations are using coconut oil as a diesel fuel, in an effort to become more independent. The coconut oil works well in places that have temperatures higher than 17 degrees Celsius.

The main problem with using this type of oil as a diesel fuel is its viscosity or thickness. It needs to be thinned by heating it prior to use, otherwise it could damage the engine. This is a particular problem in cold climates. It is possible to convert the engine to ensure the safe use of this particular diesel. Some exponents also blend the two fuels to avoid the viscosity problem.

The response from government, on the subject, varies from country to country. Some governements allow the fuel to be used, other have legislated against it, some have formal trials operating but there seems to be more concern over lost revenue in fuel taxes than in the fuel itself.

There continue to be many issues to be resolved before vegetable oil diesel becomes a common fuel, including availability of supply and a united approach to making the oil more suitable for diesel engines.

“This article is brought to you by Gus Woltmann”.

If you’ve got a restaurant, you probably deal with a lot of oil. Between changing the oil in fryers, making dressings and sauces, and cooking on the line, the only person moving more oil in the neighborhood is the local mechanic. And, like any restaurateur, you probably buy the stuff in bulk containers so that it’s a little easier to handle and a little cheaper to buy. And we all know how annoying those bulk containers can be to handle. They’re, well, bulky.

The Smart Spout is exactly what it sounds like: a smart idea that makes a restaurateur’s daily life a little easier. It’s simple, functional, and easy to use. What does the smart spout do? It allows you to pour bulk fryer or vegetable oil easily without spilling. Simple as that. Anyone who has stepped on oil on the floor in a commercial kitchen can attest to the dangers even a small spill can create.

The Smart Spout fits 1, 17.5, and 35 gallon bulk oil containers. It swivels so that oil can pour freely in any direction. It comes in red and green so you can tell fryer oil from ingredient oil. It’s washable, sealable, and reusable.

The Smart Spout reminds me of old gasoline cans. 20 years ago they had a screw cap and that was it. Then somebody got smart and invented a pour spout so you didn’t spill gas everywhere, which is both costly and dangerous. Now every Jerry can in the world has a spout.

I don’t know if every bulk vegetable oil container in the world will have a spout one day, but they should, for the very same reasons every gas can now has one. If you deal with those bulk oil containers, make your life a little easier.

“This article is brought to you by Gus Woltmann”.

Did you know that the history of using vegetable oil as fuel can date back to the early 1900’s, when Rudolf Diesel used peanut oil in his first engine. Veggie oil continued as the main source of fuel, until petro-diesel made it debut in the 1920’s.

The popularity of biodiesel has recently resurfaced as people and governments around the world, have become more aware of the benefits of using this clean burning, renewable alternative source of fuel.

Biodiesel is created by mixing 3 main ingredients – lye, methanol, and veggie oil. These ingredients are mixed together, then modified to create biodiesel. Converting vegetable oil into fuel is a fairly easy process, that with a little practice anyone can do. More people than ever are joining the biodiesel community, by making there own biodiesel fuel, in the basement or garages of there own home.

This is a basic explaination of how to use vegetable oil as fuel
# The process of converting vegetable waste into biodiesel is called transesterification

# Vegetable waste is composed of 3 chians of fatty acid

# These acids are bound together by a byproduct known as glycerine

# Vegetable oil is converted into biodiesel by mixing with lye and methanol

# The lye is added to the oil to breck the fatty acid chains holding the glycerine

# Once seperated the methanol replaces the glyercine

Some interesting facts about biodiesel
# Biodiesel is better for your cars engine than regular diesel

# Its a clean burning, renewable source of fuel

# Has a nicer scent than other other petrol and diesel fuels

# Produces cleaner exhaust emissions

# Its better for your personal health

Making biodiesel fuel can be a fun and rewarding hobby!! the skills you learn from making biodiesel can be used to teach friends and family, or even make some additional money on the side. If your interested in making your own biodiesel fuel, I have plenty of information to help you get started, just visit my blog at vegetable oil as fuel.

“This article is brought to you by Gus Woltmann”.

Due to the vehicle’s day by day emission, hazardous emission and greenhouse gasses are released to the environment. The harmful compounds such as carbon dioxide, nitrogen compound and hydrocarbons that are produced during the vehicle’s fuel combustion brought out unlikely changes in our world today. As you can see, the plants on the highway are not green anymore and people easily got sick and die at young age. To free humans and the environment from this situation, the utilization of used vegetable oil for biodiesel is now suggested. This is said to be the best replacement for fossil fuel because it is a renewable source that could be regenerated.

The vehicles today are specifically intended to be using biodiesels, but by some system alterations and parts modification, vegetable oils or used vegetable oil for biodiesel can turn your vehicle running. If you intend to directly use vegetable oil in your vehicle, all you have to do is install an extra tank, filters and heating system. The tank is needed because it will serve as the oils container. Make sure that the tank has no holes and that it is properly sealed to avoid leaks and seepage. The filter is also a vital part to be included in your vehicle. It will purify and clean the oils from small particles that may cause clogging in the vehicle’s small engine parts. Together with the tank and the filter, you also need to install a heating system. This is a must because the vegetable oil to be used in your car needs to be heated to get the potential to make your vehicle run and achieve speedy performance.

If you think this process is quite complicated for you because you don’t have adept knowledge about mechanics, you can simply convert the used vegetable oil for biodiesel. Through this the oil can be directly used in your vehicle’s stock engine and parts. Through the reaction of methanol and lye on the vegetable oil, its thickness will be reduced. Biodiesel can work on your car without undergoing modification and part replacement.

The utilization of used vegetable oil for biodiesel is proven efficient. Actually, biodiesel is now being made available and sell commercially in some parts of the globe. But to surely get its benefits remember to use the right equipments and procedure along with safety precautions. If you will start the conversion of your vehicle today to be able to directly use vegetable oil, or if you converted vegetable oil into biodiesel, you’ll surely contribute to the government’s campaign for better and cleaner environment. The use of these as a substitute to fossil fuels can reduce the toxic and air pollutant in the environment. This is a simply way for you to save mother earth to create a better world to live in.

“This article is brought to you by Gus Woltmann”.

Because of the high prices of fuel and other petroleum products today, people are turning to different alternative fuels that can run their gas-guzzling cars and trucks. And one very efficient and cheap alternative is the use of vegetable oil as biodiesel to run just about every kind of vehicle. But the problem most people encounter with this solution, even after converting their cars to run on biodiesel, is where to find this type of oil they can put in the tank to run their vehicles. Well, it is actually very easy than most people think. And here’s how.

First in the to-do list is to look for local places that sells vegetable oil in bulk. This is because buying them in bulk is much cheaper than buying them in small amounts. Local restaurants and fast food chains are actually good sources of used oils that can be converted to become biodiesel for your cars. Study shows that fast food chains use a lot of oil that can replace 1% of total US oil consumption. Most of these places sell their vegetable oils very cheap, and even give them away for free sometimes, because those are their waste products they want to get rid off.

There are also distributors of bulk vegetable oil all over the world. Though these vary by region, all you need is some luck to be able to locate one. A good place to start is to start browsing your local yellow pages for companies that sell vegetable oils in truckloads. The Internet is also a good place to do your search as many websites and blogs now are getting into this trend of used oil as alternative fuels. One promising online outlet for those looking for vegetable oil is BulkOil.com. In this website, suppliers from different areas make listings of their supply, which they usually sell in bulk and very low prices. This website also offer suppliers listings of buyers looking for huge amount of fresh and used oils.

Warehouse stores are also becoming a popular destination for people on the hunt for bulk vegetable oil because they are cheaper than the grocery store. Costco and Sam’s Club both have a reasonable selection of bulk vegetable oil either by the gallon or the pound depending on what you’re buying.

Grocery Stores, on the other hand, may not be an economical source for vegetable oil, but they also the most prevalent. Wal-Mart is at the top of the grocery store list for store-brand vegetable oil. However, Albertsons, Kroger, Sack N’ Save and other grocery stores also have their own line of vegetable oils for those looking for them. Though it is a bit more pricey than what is available on warehouses and online, and of course the awkward situation of explaining to people how your car runs on bulk vegetable oil, grocery stores are actually pretty reliable sources of them. Besides, higher higher prices on grocery stores are even a bargain as compared to buying expensive petroleum products from the pump.

“This article is brought to you by Gus Woltmann”.

Every week, we can hear oil price hike. Our budget is almost drained by our daily expenses on gas and fossils fuels that make our car run. But don’t you know that the some product in your kitchen can be used as fuel like a waste vegetable oil alternative fuel. You may still have doubts, but this is really true. This is one of the magnificent developments in our technological and advance world today. By the simple means of adding methanol and lye into the used vegetable oil, you can get biodiesel. Unlike the normal used vegetable oil, biodiesel is better when it comes to texture or thickness. The oils thickness is gradually lessened making it compatible to work with diesel powered vehicles.

Instead of throwing out the waste vegetable oil alternative fuel in your kitchen, keep it in a clean and container. Add their there the used kitchen oil that you can ask from your neighbors and when the quantity is good you can move on to its conversion to biofuel. To do the conversion right and fast, make sure to find a brief yet clear research on how to do the process. Through it you will know the right quantity for each solution to achieve fine textured alternative oil.

The use of waste vegetable oil alternative fuel in your vehicle will be truly a success. In the 19th century, the inventor Rodulf Diesel found out that any type of oil and grease can power up a vehicle, so that means even the waste vegetable oil alternative fuel has big potential to power your vehicle and let it run miles. Nowadays that oil price hike is increasing you must consider this option in your vehicle. By this you can utilize your vehicle’s capacity without spending out your bucks. With your mom’s used kitchen oil, you can drive around the town.

Aside from the economical factor that the waste vegetable oil alternative fuel can give you, it can also improve the condition of our environment today. When biodiesel is used in vehicle, the combustion process will not generate harmful or dangerous emissions. The vehicle will generate a clear and odorless emission that contains less carbon dioxide, nitrogen oxide, hydrocarbons and other harmful by products. The air and the environment will be relieved from the daily strain that it get from vehicle emissions.

Don’t keep the benefit of this alternative fuel to yourself. Tell everyone about this to help them save and rapidly control the environment pollution that we have today. Through you the world’s situation depends, so make your move now. Make use of waste vegetable oil alternative fuel or biodiesel in your vehicle and tell other people to also make your move.

“This article is brought to you by Gus Woltmann”.

The economy is getting low resulting to money devaluation, unemployment of some citizens and poor health of the young ones. Instead of pondering your thoughts about these, it’s wiser to devote your time ascertaining its root cause to think of a possibly solution. If you are observant enough, you can say that the fossil fuel supply shortage has a great contribution in our situation today so consider the use of vegetable oil cars. When you heard “vegetable oil cars” you may think that you will need to purchase a new car, but you’re totally wrong. Did you know that diesel powered vehicles could run by using vegetable oils or the commonly known biodiesel? Yes, this is truly amazing because by merely using some conversion kit you can make your vehicle into a vegetable oil car.

Now, you are certainly interested on the detailed process to have your car become on of the vegetable oil cars or biodiesel cars. Actually, there are two options for you, first to directly use vegetable in your vehicle, and second, the conversion of vegetable oil into biodiesel. On the first option, you have to perform vehicle modification by installation of additional parts like an extra tank, filters and heating system. These parts are necessary to make the oil thickness reduced and also to ensure that it is free from particles that is can possibly caused clogging. Using used vegetable oil into your vehicle requires so many mechanical changes and adjustment, so here’s the second option for you, the use of biodiesel. Here, the conversion is made on the vegetable oil itself and not on your vehicle’s parts and system. Through mixing methanol and lye, you can achieve a biodiesel. The thickness quality of this oil is lessened so your vehicle’s stock parts could efficiently work with biodiesel. The choice is all yours so just consider which one is easier and more convenient for you. Anyway, both options aim to give you relief from the high cost of fossil fuels and gas.

Vegetable oil cars are not just a cost saving way for vehicle user and for the improvement of our economy’s condition. The use of vegetable oil and biodiesel will also greatly reduce the pollutants and hazardous compounds in the environment. When these are used in your vehicle, you could expect an almost colorless emission that is free from carbon dioxide, nitrogen oxide and hydrocarbons that has great dangerous effects on environment and on human health. As early as know, you have to think about the transformation of your vehicle into a vegetable oil car and to the use of these alternative resources. This can improve our way of life and save the environment and the generations to come.

“This article is brought to you by Gus Woltmann”.

The use of vegetable oil for fuel is something that was once considered a far off thought. Today, though, alternative fuels are a reality and fuel from vegetable oil is a very real idea.

Vegetable oil diesel, also known as biodiesel, can even be found at regular filling stations. It is sold usually as a blend of biodiesel and regular diesel. Pure biodiesel is sold in some places under the name B100.

Why Vegetable Oil Diesel Works

Vegetable oil and diesel fuel have many similar properties which makes vegetable oil a great alternative. Vegetable oil under goes a production process that allows it to take on even more properties of diesel fuel so that it can be used in a regular diesel engine without a need for conversion.

Why Use Vegetable Oil Diesel

Vegetable oil diesel has many benefits over regular diesel fuel. Here are some of the top benefits:

- It is renewable. There is no worry that the ingredients used to make biodiesel will run out as with oil. The ingredients come from plants that can be grown again and again.

- It burns clean. When using 100 percent biodiesel your vehicle will not emit harmful toxins into the environment.

- It can be made cheaply. This brings down the cost of biodiesel because the ingredients are not as costly as oil.

Vegetable oil diesel also has benefits over other types of alternative fuel sources. Here are s couple examples:

- Electric – With electric power you have to buy a new vehicle or do a costly conversion. You do not have to do either to use biodiesel.

- Solar – Solar power is still not reliable. The amount of energy varies and is not steady enough to operate a vehicle for long periods of time. Biodiesel on the other hand, operates with the same power as regular diesel fuel.

Vegetable oil fuel is more available, more reliable and cheaper to use than any other alternative energy source.

Vegetable oil fuel is a great option that you can easily find at filling stations or you can even make it yourself. As alternative fuels become more in demand, biodiesel will continue to become a leading fuel source. Any diesel vehicle can run off vegetable oil diesel, so it is something that you can begin using today if you have a diesel vehicle. With so many benefits there is no reason not to use it.

“This article is brought to you by Gus Woltmann”.

Over 45 million tonnes of greenhouse gases are produced every year from the burning of diesel in trucks. Of course we are trying to find new creative ways to save our environment and one way to do this is to use vegetable oil as a renewable source of fuel for transportation and also the use of heating.

There are so many benefits of using this source to replace fossil fuels and some of these include reduced air pollution, reduced greenhouse gas emissions, and conservation of limited fossil fuels. There are two different ways that you can use vegetable oil as a fuel in engines.

The first way is that you can use straight vegetable oil either waste frying oil or fresh- pressed oil, however you will need an extra fuel tank and a system for heating and filtering the oil before it reaches the engine. The reason why you will need this is because pure vegetable oil is too thick to work in the engine unless the oil is heated up.

The other way is to simply convert the vegetable oil into biodiesel which can be used in a diesel engine without any modifications. Biodiesel is a fuel source made from vegetable oil when a chemical reaction occurs between methanol and lye. It can be created either from using waste vegetable oil from the food industry, or you have the other option of using it from fresh-pressed vegetable oil.

This is something that is now being made to sell commercially in thousands of countries all around the world, however with the right equipment and enough time it can also be made right at home. Some of the toxic air pollutants that are reduced include soot, particulates, carbon monoxide, and sulphur oxides, however nitrous oxide emissions may increase slightly.

“This article is brought to you by Gus Woltmann”.

If you have an interest in being environmentally friendly, then no doubt you’re aware of the damage fossil fuels are doing to our environment. Not only that, but at some point they will run out. Add in the recent jump in gas prices, and it’s hardly surprising that more people are talking about making their own biodiesel fuel. Although it sounds like a great idea, you need to consider a few points before going ahead and making your own biodiesel fuel.

What Is Biodiesel?

To start with, let’s take a look at what biodiesel fuel actually is. At its most simple, biodiesel fuel is made from either vegetable oil, animal fat, or mixture of the two. It’s a clean burning fuel that is made from renewable resources hence the name biodiesel.

Generally, biodiesel fuel is made from straight vegetable oil, sometimes referred to as SVO. So if you want to make your own biodiesel fuel, you’ll need to have an adequate supply of the basic ingredients. Unfortunately, most households don’t produce enough waste animal fat or vegetable fat to come anywhere close to making enough biodiesel fuel to keep the family car running.

Using Recycled oil

This has led to a whole new industry, with the basic aim of sourcing much larger quantities of raw product. They get together with restaurants, bakeries, and any other business that uses a deep fryer, so that they can collect the used oil for recycling. The oils are then blended and used as the basis for biodiesel fuel. The processes are the same as you’d use to make biodiesel fuel at home, but by having access to a much larger supply of raw products, these companies can produce biodiesel in quantities that are more viable.

Can I make it at Home?

One thing to remember is that it’s not quite this simple! Used vegetable oil needs to be mixed and stored, which can be quite a problem if you have large amounts of it. You also need to dewater, filter and deacidify the waste oil before it can be used for making biodiesel. This makes the production of biodiesel fuel at home a lot more complicated.

Having said that, it’s certainly still quite possible to make biodiesel fuel at home, simply by buying straight vegetable oil, rather than using waste products. Even though it will cost you a lot more, when you compare it to the cost of buying the necessary amount of gas to run your car for a year, you can still save an enormous amount – somewhere around 75 percent. Even better, you’re saving the environment too.

Can I mix it with Petroleum?

The short answer is yes! It can be blended with petroleum in any percentages and used as fuel. There is a fuel called B20 which is 20 percent biodiesel that has shown significant environmental benefits. It can be used in an existing diesel engine with either little or no modifications. The only thing to be aware of is that biodiesel acts as a solvent and can remove old deposits on on your fuel tank walls and your fuel lines. This may lead to a clogging of your filters so care should be taken. But hey – then you have a clean system!!

So if you’re interested in saving money and helping out the environment, look at the option of making biodiesel fuel at home. It takes a little bit of effort, but the rewards are definitely worthwhile.

“This article is brought to you by Gus Woltmann”.

Biodiesel has certainly become quite the popular alternative fuel source for two reasons: its usage brings forth a lot of advantages and benefits to enjoy, and the process of creating biodiesel is very easy to perform. However, there are certain precautionary measures that you have to keep in mind when creating your own biodiesel and safety should be of utmost concern here, especially when it comes to the physical safety of your loved ones and yourself, of course.

The first thing that you should remember is to wear protective gear when creating homemade biodiesel. You have to remember that you are dealing with hazardous chemicals when creating homemade biodiesel so the proper protective gear should indeed be in order. Your gear should include protective gloves, eye protection, and an apron. Make sure to wear complete gear to avoid any untoward accidents involving hazardous chemicals. Methanol, for instance, cab be rapidly absorbed via the skin, and the worst part is that it can cause blindness, and even death. Sodium hydroxide, on the other hand, can also cause severe burns when mishandled. Methanol and sodium hydroxide are very much needed in the production of biodiesel because these form sodium methoxide when mixed together. Sodium methoxide is a key ingredient in the process of creating biodiesel, and this is a very caustic chemical that can easily cause fatalities when inhaled, swallowed, or absorbed via the skin. These chemicals are very much needed when you are considering creating your own biodiesel so you would have to handle them one way or another. The best thing to do here is to be extremely careful.

The second thing to remember is to cover as much skin as possible. Mishandling these chemicals can be fatal so it is highly recommended to keep yourself covered at all times. Wear a lab gown or overalls, for starters. You should even consider wearing an extra shirt for more protection. Also, go for high quality gloves instead of the regular latex gloves. The latter would simply dissolve should it come into contact with the chemicals needed in creating biodiesel. Thus, latex gloves would not really offer that much protection in the first place. Do not wear sandals or shorts, since these would not cover that much skin for starters as well.

Lastly, your workspace should have proper ventilation. This enables chemical fumes to escape, and you would not really want to inhale methanol vapors right into your system because this can be fatal as well. Unfortunately, biodiesel and safety when it comes to its production are not really on the same side of the equation so it is of utmost importance to be extra careful during the whole production process.

“This article is brought to you by Gus Woltmann”.

Biodiesel is the general term given to processed fuel derived from natural resources, SVO (straight vegetable oil), WVO (waste vegetable oil) and animal fats which could be used as a direct substitute for diesel fuel with minimal engine modification using conversion kits.

Why use Biodiesel?

The primary driving force for the use of biodiesel is the high price of petrol products that include diesel fuel. As the prices of petrol diesel goes up, the price of homemade biodiesel becomes more competitive with some added environmental advantage.

Second, as an alternative fuel, it is renewable, which can be grown and produced from our own backyard and recycled from wastes. Since biodiesel is derived from recycled oil from restaurant or from fresh vegetable oil and animal fats, there’s no worrying for how long will the supply last. As long as there is land to grow the crops and plants which played as the major source of oil for biodiesel raw material. There are several crops (soybean, rapeseed, mustard, jathropa palm oil and algae) which could be used as source for biodiesel.

Third, it is biodegradable non-toxic, the and produces fewer emmisions as compared to petroleum based diesel. Biodiesel is made from nature thus its by product is pro-nature. Most biodiesel users commented that their emissions smells like fried fries.

How to use Biodiesel?

Biodiesel can be used as a direct substitute for petrol-diesel without any modification on the existing engines. But companies are manufacturing Biodiesel conversion kits which claims to improve the performance and at the same time protect the engine from damage.

The current practice for the use of biodiesel is as an additive. They are using B20 or 20% biodiesel mixed with 80% petrol diesel. The practice is based on the fact that biodiesel has lubricating properties which improves overall engine performance, improved milage and fewer hazardous and toxic emissions.

A graduate in BS Computer Engineering and presently working as a Computer Instructor in the Philippines. I like to read about scientific breakthroughs. If you want to read about Alternative Fuels and Energy Conservation, feel free to visit

“This article is brought to you by Gus Woltmann”.

So many people all over the world have been gushing about biodiesel as an alternative fuel these days. This is because there are many benefits that come with the usage of this new technology. If you are not too familiar with biodiesel as a premier alternative fuel source, then it is best for you to be acquainted.

Biodiesel is actually fuel that is made from oil of a variety of oilseed crops. These oilseed crops include soybean, corn, canola, coconut, palm kernel, safflower, and sunflower. Now, these are just the commonly used ones in the production of biodiesel for there are just about hundreds and hundreds more that you can use. This is one huge advantage that biodiesel has over regular diesel because its sources are completely renewable. After all, you can plant all of these oilseed crops in your own backyard very easily, whereas with regular diesel, once you use it up, that is the end of it already. And we all know for sure how oil reserves all over the world are depleting quite fast nowadays. Time will come when there just would not be enough oil for everyone anymore. So, why wait for that time to come when the fuel of the future, which is biodiesel, is readily available today?

So, how exactly can you create biodiesel? Oil is actually extracted by means of a press. The extracted oil is then combined with certain agents at very specific proportions. Now, you should pay attention to these proportions because they have been specifically laid out so that the right chemical reaction. The results of this particular chemical reaction that you are aiming for are biodiesel and soap. A final filtration process then has to take place to make biodiesel ready to be used as fuel. Also, the byproduct of glycerin soap can then be used after a final process of curing. You can also take things a notch higher by adding scented oils to the soap before using it.

Contrary to popular belief, biodiesel is not really new technology. It just remains new to the eyes of most people because it is just recently that biodiesel received a lot of attention. This can be attributed to the rising prices of crude oil, which has prodded ordinary citizens to find alternative fuel sources on their own.

One major advantage in using biodiesel as an alternative fuel source is the fact that it is very friendly to the environment. We all know how polluted our planet has become so this all on its own is a huge advantage already.

“This article is brought to you by Gus Woltmann”.

Biodiesel conversion kits help you to transform your vehicle to run off of biodiesel without any issues with gelling or excessive wear and tear. It can be confusing to buy a biodiesel conversion kit. The following answers some questions you may have before you buy a biodiesel conversion kit.

Is biodiesel safe for my vehicle? Yes it is safe for your vehicle. Using a conversion kit, though, will help ensure that you do not run into operating problems when using biodiesel. You will avoid issues with rubber seals wearing out and gelling of the fuel in cold weather. You can use 100 percent biodiesel in a vehicle with a conversion kit without any issues.

Is 100 percent biodiesel safe for the environment? It is actually better for the environment than regular diesel fuel. It produces fewer emissions and is safer to humans. Biodiesel also does not have harmful byproducts. The byproduct of biodiesel is glycerin which is a harmless substance used commonly in soap.

What types of vehicles can biodiesel be used in? Biodiesel can be used in any vehicle that runs off diesel or any vehicle converted to use diesel. This includes cars, trucks and even heavy duty equipment.

How do I buy a conversion kit for my vehicle? There are numerous places where you can get a conversion kit. The prices may vary. You may also be able to find kits for home installation and some that are better installed by a professional. Choose whatever works best for your needs.

Why should I convert my vehicle to run off biodiesel? Biodiesel has many benefits. Biodiesel burns clean, it is renewable and it is becoming readily available all over the country. Biodiesel is a far better choice than regular diesel. It is better for your car and the environment. You will find that once you start using biodiesel that your vehicle will even run better. The cost of converting your car is going to come back to over time as you experience less wear and tear and spend less at the pump.

Converting your vehicle to run on biodiesel is a good choice. You will be able to take advantage of this great new alternative fuel. Eventually there will be no options but alternative fuels, so get in on the trend now and be ahead of the game. You will be glad that you did.

“This article is brought to you by Gus Woltmann”.

Biodiesel is a biofuel which is produced from organic oils or fats, and can be used in diesel engines. The technical name for standard biodiesel is alkyl methyl ester. Generally, this is made from reacting vegetable oil and methanol using a catalyst, resulting in a molecule that contains hydrogen, carbon and oxygen. The presence of oxygen in the molecule helps to make it a cleaner burning fuel. Although some diesel engines can run on straight vegetable oil (SVO), this is not genuine biodiesel and does not share all of its advantages.

As biodiesel comes from organic carbon sources, it is carbon neutral. This means that burning it does not add carbon to the earth’s biosphere (the biosphere includes the atmosphere and all living things). When plants photosynthesize, they use up carbon dioxide from the atmosphere and turn it into organic molecules such as oils. When you burn these oils, you simply return the carbon to the atmosphere. This is unlike the burning of fossil fuels, where fossil carbon is released and increases the amount of carbon in the atmosphere. However, be aware that some fossil carbon is burned in the production of biodiesel, so it is not a totally carbon neutral fuel.

Compared to fossil diesel, biodiesel–

* has similar viscosity (it’s runny like diesel, not gooey like vegetable oil)
* has superior lubricating properties
* has little effect on engine power
* produces lower CO2 emissions
* produces lower particulate (soot) emissions
* is much more biodegradable
* is much less toxic (10 times less toxic than common salt)
* is much less flammable, and therefore safer to handle and transport

There is some debate as to the effect of using biodiesel on NOx emissions. NOx is a term for oxides of nitrogen, which help to form smog. Using biodiesel usually results in a slight increase in NOx production. This may be reduced by the use of catalytic converters on modern diesel engines.

There are some minor difficulties to overcome when using biodiesel in an older car or truck. Biodiesel is slightly corrosive to rubber seals and hoses which are often found on old diesel engines. Replacing these rubber components with modern, corrosion resistant parts is usually very cheap. The chemical properties of biodiesel will also dislodge dirt. This can clog the fuel filter, which has to be examined regularly for the first 500 miles and replaced if need be.

It is possible to mix biodiesel with fossil diesel and run it in an unmodified engine. The mixtures are named by their biodiesel content. B5 contains 5% biodiesel and 95% fossil diesel, and can be used in the majority of modern cars and trucks with no ill effect. The 5% biodiesel content gives a measurable reduction in CO2 and soot production. B20, which is 20% biodiesel and 80% fossil diesel, is another common mixture. B100 is 100% biodiesel, and although most modern diesel engines will run on it with minimal modifications, it may void the warranty. Some manufacturers allow owners to use commercial biodiesel without losing their warranty protection.

Biodiesel can be made from used vegetable oil. This is an excellent idea, because the oil has already served its purpose and would be thrown away, so using it as a clean fuel is a bonus. Some people make their own DIY biodiesel. It is a simple process that could be done by anybody who took chemistry at high school. They usually use vegetable oil given to them by local hotels and restaurants. Safety procedures should be followed, because toxic chemicals such as methanol and caustic soda are used. The legality of this varies between countries. Tax may have to be paid on the DIY biodiesel before it is used.

Making biodiesel from specially grown crops is more controversial, especially from crops such as palm oil, which are grown in huge plantations in the third world. The growth of these crops may cause significant environmental damage. Crops such as oilseed grown in the western world are a better choice, but it would be impossible to grow enough to completely replace fossil diesel with biodiesel. Recent experiments have shown that algae are a promising source of organic oils, so biodiesel may yet become a major carbon neutral fuel source of the future.

“This article is brought to you by Gus Woltmann”.

Alternative fuel biodiesel is clean-burning, biodegradable, all natural and renewable. It can be produced from waste oil, as well as oil produced from a variety of crops such as rapeseed, soy & palm.

Biodiesel is an environmentally friendly product because it can reduce approximately 40 – 60% of the carbon emissions polluting our air. There is less smoke and odor from engines powered by biodiesel and they tend to run quieter as well. Because biodiesel is non toxic, it will not harm marine life, making it the perfect fuel for boats. Delicate waterway eco-systems remain safe from irritating pollutants.

Biodiesel does not require any engine modifications and affects engine performance positively. Engines using biodiesel tend to last longer because their parts are lubricated better with this fuel as opposed to standard fossil diesel. In fact, traditional diesel engines have a much higher rate of engine wear when using fossil fuel.

There are no special handling or storage requirements for biodiesel because it is non toxic. It is safe to transport because the same concerns regarding transporting traditional fuels do not apply. For example, biodiesel has a high flashpoint of about 150°C compared to petroleum diesel fuel, which has a flash point of 55°C. In addition, if there ever were any accidental spills, biodiesel is biodegradable, so it would not negatively affect the environment that received the spill.

One of the biggest benefits of biodiesel (besides the environmental ones) is the dramatic cost savings if it is produced individually. Most people making biodiesel at home are able to produce it for about $1.00 per gallon. Even investing in equipment, home biodiesel brewers are often able to recoup their costs within an average of three months.

Politically, an issue that biodiesel resolves is that it reduces the dependence on other countries for oil. This dependence has been linked to war and terrorism and many argue that gaining oil independence would save lives as well. By encouraging the use of domestic resources, growing our own fuel, we promote our own farmers and our own economy. Producing our own oil could provide many jobs as well.

Biodiesel is relatively easy to produce. Though it has been a little on the expensive side to produce commercially, it has now started to come in line with traditional fuels because of the price of a barrel of oil being so high. Many people have even started making their own biodiesel at home, because they can use waste vegetable oil (WVO). This makes it a very inexpensive option.

Many commercial industries have already begun using or are planning to switch to biodiesel. Truck fleets, the marine industry, farming, mining, transit and school buses are among some of the industries that have seen the benefits of using alternative fuel biodiesel. For many of these industries, the health benefits and environmental concerns are what made the decision easy for them. Some industries happily report saving money because of their engine parts lasting longer. Heavy duty machinery is expensive to replace and biodiesel can help preserve its life.

Although biodiesel will not save the world, these are some really great reasons that it is definitely a start towards a cleaner, healthier planet. Alternative fuel biodiesel is a positive step in the right direction.

So many people all over the world have been gushing about biodiesel as an alternative fuel these days. This is because there are many benefits that come with the usage of this new technology. If you are not too familiar with biodiesel as a premier alternative fuel source, then it is best for you to be acquainted.

Biodiesel is actually fuel that is made from oil of a variety of oilseed crops. These oilseed crops include soybean, corn, canola, coconut, palm kernel, safflower, and sunflower. Now, these are just the commonly used ones in the production of biodiesel for there are just about hundreds and hundreds more that you can use. This is one huge advantage that biodiesel has over regular diesel because its sources are completely renewable. After all, you can plant all of these oilseed crops in your own backyard very easily, whereas with regular diesel, once you use it up, that is the end of it already. And we all know for sure how oil reserves all over the world are depleting quite fast nowadays. Time will come when there just would not be enough oil for everyone anymore. So, why wait for that time to come when the fuel of the future, which is biodiesel, is readily available today?

So, how exactly can you create biodiesel? Oil is actually extracted by means of a press. The extracted oil is then combined with certain agents at very specific proportions. Now, you should pay attention to these proportions because they have been specifically laid out so that the right chemical reaction. The results of this particular chemical reaction that you are aiming for are biodiesel and soap. A final filtration process then has to take place to make biodiesel ready to be used as fuel. Also, the byproduct of glycerin soap can then be used after a final process of curing. You can also take things a notch higher by adding scented oils to the soap before using it.

Contrary to popular belief, biodiesel is not really new technology. It just remains new to the eyes of most people because it is just recently that biodiesel received a lot of attention. This can be attributed to the rising prices of crude oil, which has prodded ordinary citizens to find alternative fuel sources on their own.

One major advantage in using biodiesel as an alternative fuel source is the fact that it is very friendly to the environment. We all know how polluted our planet has become so this all on its own is a huge advantage already.

“This article is brought to you by Gus Woltmann”.

Up to this point the production of a good quality biodiesel fuel required a high grade feedstock like soybean or canola oil. This has become a problem because there is not a large quantity readily available of this type of high grade feedstock. Therefore production of biodiesel has been limited and because of this, the usage of biodiesel has been limited. Yet as with all things, where there is an unfulfilled demand is where human ingenuity and higher-level thinking takes over.

Due to the high demand yet low availability of biodiesel many companies around the world are looking at alternate products that can be used to produce biodiesel fuel. These new methods and new technologies not only utilize feedstock from different sources but they are also using cleaner technology to produce the biodiesel.

In the past, production of biodiesel has used caustic chemicals. The new technology does not use caustic chemicals and there is no toxic waste water to dispose of. These factors make the production costs lower and faster.

For example with the old methods the production of biodiesel fuel would require large open areas of land to evaporate the water needed to wash the fuel. They would also need large fuel storage tanks. With the new methods of making biodiesel fuel all that is needed is an 8′ x 40′ module to process 28,000 gallons of fuel per day. From just this example you can see how biodiesel and technology are working together.

Of course we are all wondering when we will be able to use biodiesel fuel in car engines. The technology does exist and one thing car owner will realize is that they need to change the fuel filter more often until the biodiesel diesel has stripped away the petrol that builds up in engines.

As you can see biodiesel and technology have come a long way. They work side by side. It is fantastic with the human mind and nature can do together to make the world a better and cleaner place to live than

“This article is brought to you by Gus Woltmann”.

In today’s world, one can hardly escape the subject of fuel prices and fuel supply. For a number of different reasons people have turned from standard petroleum based fuel sources and looked for a reliable alternative-fuel. Biodiesel is one such fuel that experts and enthusiasts have embraced as not only their idea of a fuel of the future, but is also their choice for a fuel for today. But, what is Biodiesel?

Biodiesel is a fuel containing some of the same traits as conventional diesel fuel. Biodiesel is made from high quality vegetable oils through a manufacturing process that can be done on a large scale – such as a refinery, or on a small scale – such as a home Biodiesel kit. The primary use for Biodiesel right now is as a substitute for petroleum based diesel fuel.

In different parts of the world, different plants are used as the source for the vegetable oil that is made into Biodiesel. Theoretically, any vegetable grown can be broken down and turned into Biodiesel, but right now most Biodiesel producers use one primary crop as their source. In America, the primary crop grown for Biodiesel production is corn. Corn, being one of the more common crops grown in American, provides a readily available supply of vegetable matter for Biodiesel manufacturers. In much of Europe, rapeseed is used in the production of Biodiesel. And, in Southeast Asia the primary plant grown for the manufacture of Biodiesel is Soybeans. After going through the manufacturing process, there is little difference in the properties of Biodiesel made from one plant over another.

The process used to manufacture Biodiesel from pure vegetable oil is called ester interchange. In the process the vegetable oil is combined with a much smaller amount of Methanol. Methanol can be manufactured by the fermentation of starch or sugar and it can also be produced from natural gas. The vegetable oil and methanol are placed in a small quantity of an alkaline catalyst and it is in this process that the chemical makeup of the vegetable oil is altered. The result is a clean burning fuel with a viscosity (flow properties) approximating that of standard diesel fuel. During this process, approximately 90% of what is manufactured is Biodiesel fuel, while the remaining 10% is in the form of the glycerine that was broken down from the vegetable matter. This glycerine can also be used in other applications in the chemical industry, making the manufacture of Biodiesel practically waste-free.

The current uses for Biodiesel are mainly limited to that of being a cleaner burning replacement for petroleum based diesel fuel. Biodiesel can be both economically viable and highly efficient for most mobile applications. There will be some performance and usage differences between diesel and Biodiesel and they will vary from vehicle to vehicle as expected. It is possible for most modern diesel engines to burn standard Biodiesel. Currently, Biodiesel is also marketed as a Biodiese/Ethanol mix or a Biodiesel/Diesel mix.

Still a young industry by any measure, Biodiesel is on it’s way to becoming one of the brightest lights in the search for a viable alternative-fuel.

“This article is brought to you by Gus Woltmann”.

With the price of gas soaring and our country’s dependency on foreign fuel, are you looking for an alternative fuel source? Biodiesel may be just that fuel source you are looking for. What is biodiesel you may be asking? Biodiesel is an alternative fuel source made from vegetable oil. You can use this fuel in any vehicle that uses regular petroleum diesel fuel. There are places in some states that you can buy biodiesel fuel, but you can also make it yourself with a biodiesel kit.

This alternative fuel source has many benefits compared to petroleum. One benefit is the price. Biodiesel fuel can be produced for much less than its petroleum counterpart. If you are making it yourself, you will need to purchase a biodiesel kit. These can be gotten for a couple thousand dollars, you may be thinking “Wow, that’s a lot of money.” But if you think about it, once the savings over gas prices add up to the cost of the kit, all savings after that go straight to your wallet. This will definitely put a little breathing room into your budget. If you are not making biodiesel yourself, and are lucky enough to live in an area where there is a biodiesel station, your savings will add up a lot faster.

Another very important benefit of this fuel alternative is it is very environmentally friendly. It is completely biodegradable. Emissions are almost nonexistent. Biodiesel fuel burns clean and is nontoxic. This means not only does it help the planet but it is not harmful to humans as well. Since biodiesel also does not contain sulfur, its emissions do not contribute to acid rain. Using biodiesel fuel also reduces the cancer causing particulates from being released into the air.

One benefit closely related to the environmental issue is the fact that biodiesel is a renewable resource. This means it can be made over and over. It does not have to be pumped out of the ground. You need some more biodiesel fuel? Just plant another crop and you can make some more. This has a hidden advantage of allowing farmers to make their farms profitable again. This in turn helps the economy as well as the environment.

One other benefit of using biodiesel as an alternative fuel source is safety. The point at which biodiesel will catch fire is much higher than petroleum based fuel. This makes biodiesel much safer to transport and store. It also means if a vehicle that is using biodiesel is involved in an accident it is much less likely to explode. The safety issues alone make this a very attractive alternative fuel.

Biodiesel fuel has a lot of benefits as an alternative fuel source. So, are there any disadvantages to using biodiesel? The only one is if you have a vehicle made before about 1994, you will need to keep a close eye on the hoses of the fuel system. Biodiesel fuel can soften the rubber used to make the hoses. After 1994, most vehicles were made with synthetic hoses and this is not an issue. Another issue you should be aware of is the first few times you use biodiesel you may get a clogged up fuel system. This is because biodiesel fuel will clean out all the old gunk in your fuel system. It will pull all the residue left on the walls of your gas tank off, which in turn may clog up some of the lines. If you are aware of this and watching out for it you should not have any problems.

As an alternative fuel source, biodiesel is top notch. It is a renewable source, since it is made from vegetable oil all you do is grow another crop. This in turn allows farmers to make their farms profitable again (another hidden benefit). It is less expensive to produce, good for your wallet. It is environmentally friendly, not causing a lot of the problems as petroleum based fuel. It is also human friendly, less cancer causing issues, as well as breathing issues. It is also safer to transport and store. It also lessens our country’s dependency on foreign oil, this would most certainly help our economy.

“This article is brought to you by Gus Woltmann”.

Biodiesel conversion kits help you to transform your vehicle to run off of biodiesel without any issues with gelling or excessive wear and tear. It can be confusing to buy a biodiesel conversion kit. The following answers some questions you may have before you buy a biodiesel conversion kit.

Is biodiesel safe for my vehicle? Yes it is safe for your vehicle. Using a conversion kit, though, will help ensure that you do not run into operating problems when using biodiesel. You will avoid issues with rubber seals wearing out and gelling of the fuel in cold weather. You can use 100 percent biodiesel in a vehicle with a conversion kit without any issues.

Is 100 percent biodiesel safe for the environment? It is actually better for the environment than regular diesel fuel. It produces fewer emissions and is safer to humans. Biodiesel also does not have harmful byproducts. The byproduct of biodiesel is glycerin which is a harmless substance used commonly in soap.

What types of vehicles can biodiesel be used in? Biodiesel can be used in any vehicle that runs off diesel or any vehicle converted to use diesel. This includes cars, trucks and even heavy duty equipment.

How do I buy a conversion kit for my vehicle? There are numerous places where you can get a conversion kit. The prices may vary. You may also be able to find kits for home installation and some that are better installed by a professional. Choose whatever works best for your needs.

Why should I convert my vehicle to run off biodiesel? Biodiesel has many benefits. Biodiesel burns clean, it is renewable and it is becoming readily available all over the country. Biodiesel is a far better choice than regular diesel. It is better for your car and the environment. You will find that once you start using biodiesel that your vehicle will even run better. The cost of converting your car is going to come back to over time as you experience less wear and tear and spend less at the pump.

Converting your vehicle to run on biodiesel is a good choice. You will be able to take advantage of this great new alternative fuel. Eventually there will be no options but alternative fuels, so get in on the trend now and be ahead of the game. You will be glad that you did.

“This article is brought to you by Gus Woltmann”.

The problem we are all facing at the moment, high gas prices – due to high oil prices. We are all suffering from this dilemma and most of us did nothing wrong, but yet we are punished.

There is a solution though, for the people who drive diesel cars that is. There are biodiesel kits, which allow you save money on diesel. The biodiesel kits have not been around for long so there is a big chance that you have not heard about them yet.

Many people that hear about this solution for their cars are always a bit skeptical at first. This solution is completely safe for your engine; in fact it runs cleaner than regular diesel.

Biodiesel kits are becoming more popular as more people are realizing that they actually work.

Each day people who are using biodiesel kits are saving money and this is putting them at ease in life.

There are people in life who take risks; those are the ones with the rewards. Someone decided to take the risk and make their own biodiesel kit, which actually worked. Some people needed a solution to their money problem and took the risk of using biodiesel, and it actually worked.

These are the people which are now saving loads of money each day. Biodiesel kits are definitely going to hit the market hard in a few months time.

Each problem has a solution; the solution to diesel problems is of course, biodiesel. Out with the old, in with the new.

“This article is brought to you by Gus Woltmann”.

With the price of gas soaring and our country’s dependency on foreign fuel, are you looking for an alternative fuel source? Biodiesel may be just that fuel source you are looking for. What is biodiesel you may be asking? Biodiesel is an alternative fuel source made from vegetable oil. You can use this fuel in any vehicle that uses regular petroleum diesel fuel. There are places in some states that you can buy biodiesel fuel, but you can also make it yourself with a biodiesel kit.

This alternative fuel source has many benefits compared to petroleum. One benefit is the price. Biodiesel fuel can be produced for much less than its petroleum counterpart. If you are making it yourself, you will need to purchase a biodiesel kit. These can be gotten for a couple thousand dollars, you may be thinking “Wow, that’s a lot of money.” But if you think about it, once the savings over gas prices add up to the cost of the kit, all savings after that go straight to your wallet. This will definitely put a little breathing room into your budget. If you are not making biodiesel yourself, and are lucky enough to live in an area where there is a biodiesel station, your savings will add up a lot faster.

Another very important benefit of this fuel alternative is it is very environmentally friendly. It is completely biodegradable. Emissions are almost nonexistent. Biodiesel fuel burns clean and is nontoxic. This means not only does it help the planet but it is not harmful to humans as well. Since biodiesel also does not contain sulfur, its emissions do not contribute to acid rain. Using biodiesel fuel also reduces the cancer causing particulates from being released into the air.

One benefit closely related to the environmental issue is the fact that biodiesel is a renewable resource. This means it can be made over and over. It does not have to be pumped out of the ground. You need some more biodiesel fuel? Just plant another crop and you can make some more. This has a hidden advantage of allowing farmers to make their farms profitable again. This in turn helps the economy as well as the environment.

One other benefit of using biodiesel as an alternative fuel source is safety. The point at which biodiesel will catch fire is much higher than petroleum based fuel. This makes biodiesel much safer to transport and store. It also means if a vehicle that is using biodiesel is involved in an accident it is much less likely to explode. The safety issues alone make this a very attractive alternative fuel.

Biodiesel fuel has a lot of benefits as an alternative fuel source. So, are there any disadvantages to using biodiesel? The only one is if you have a vehicle made before about 1994, you will need to keep a close eye on the hoses of the fuel system. Biodiesel fuel can soften the rubber used to make the hoses. After 1994, most vehicles were made with synthetic hoses and this is not an issue. Another issue you should be aware of is the first few times you use biodiesel you may get a clogged up fuel system. This is because biodiesel fuel will clean out all the old gunk in your fuel system. It will pull all the residue left on the walls of your gas tank off, which in turn may clog up some of the lines. If you are aware of this and watching out for it you should not have any problems.

As an alternative fuel source, biodiesel is top notch. It is a renewable source, since it is made from vegetable oil all you do is grow another crop. This in turn allows farmers to make their farms profitable again (another hidden benefit). It is less expensive to produce, good for your wallet. It is environmentally friendly, not causing a lot of the problems as petroleum based fuel. It is also human friendly, less cancer causing issues, as well as breathing issues. It is also safer to transport and store. It also lessens our country’s dependency on foreign oil, this would most certainly help our economy.

“This article is brought to you by Gus Woltmann”.

Whenever we talk about biodiesel we mean the process of converting waste vegetable oil to an alternative fuel called biodiesel (or biodiesel conversion) which is then poured into unmodified diesel tanks in place of petroleum-based diesel. There is, however, another practice that comes to many minds whenever the term “biodiesel” comes up. This phenomenon involves the conversion of the engine rather than the oil, modifying a normal diesel engine to where it can run on unmodified waste vegetable oil (grease, fat, lard, etc.), in essence turning it into a “biodiesel engine”.

Thus the now famous and aptly named Grease Car. With greasecar as but one shining example of many, biodiesel engine conversion is gaining widespread appeal and it’s no wonder: imagine pulling up behind McDonald’s and getting all the free fuel you can carry! It’s true. Restaurants have to pay to get their waste vegetable oil carted away. People needing to fuel a biodiesel engine are doing them a favor – taking it away for free.

Many fast food restaurants, in fact, prefer if you establish committed relationships with them, coming by regularly to pick up a consistent amount. That way, they can adjust their contract with their actual waste disposal provider accordingly.

One New York City man has driven over 3,000 miles on his biodiesel engine modified 1985 Mercedes station wagon off of free fry oil he gets from his corner deli.

Biodiesel engine conversion appeals to many because it’s a process that only needs to be done once, where as actually biodiesel conversion must be performed every time the tank runs dry. With the burgeoning rise in biodiesel fill-up stations around the country, however, that advantage won’t weigh as heavily for long.

If you’re interested in having a biodiesel engine all your own, you can buy packaged biodiesel engine conversion kits to help you. These conversion kits come with full instructions and all the necessary equipment needed to modify any car with a diesel engine to run on straight waste vegetable oil.

You can even buy a more heavy duty biodiesel engine conversion kit built especially for heavy duty trucks.

Once a standard diesel engine is converted to a biodiesel engine, it can still run on regular, petroleum-based diesel (which is a very good thing – imagine being stranded at a service station because there’s no vegetable oil in sight!)

Waste vegetable oil used in a converted biodiesel engine must first be filtered to prevent clogging up the fuel lines. It’s recommended, in fact, to filter it more than once, through successively smaller mesh filters (they’re measured in “microns”, the smaller the number of microns being the finer the mesh). You can find filters of different sizes at most auto supply stores.

Now, there are many among us who, well aware of our own mechanical limitations, wouldn’t want to risk “messing with” our cars that way, and most of the biodiesel information in this website will speak primarily to these people, with such info as where to purchase biodiesel fuel and how to do your own biodiesel conversion. If, however, you feel empowered to spruce up your diesel engine into a “biodiesel engine”, more power to you. Either get yourself a kit or a thorough book on the subject and then get on your way. And whichever route you go, we wish you the happiest of travels!

“This article is brought to you by Gus Woltmann”.

There is growing interest in the development of biodiesel fuel as more and more positive benefits are found for this alternative fuel source. It’s not that it’s just a good alternative to our reliance on imported oil but it is also been shown to have a positive impact on our own health and the environment as a whole.

The first positive benefit for biodiesel is the fact that it can be made from renewable resources. It was first created when scientists started doing research into the possibility of using corn and soybean oils in the production of an alternative fuel source. In the process they discovered that just about any kind of vegetable or animal oil that we use to cook with today can be processed into biodiesel fuel. And the best part is it can be oil that has already been used and recycled.

Used vegetable oils along with sewage are all being used to produce biodiesel these days. During the refining of the oil a process is added that extracts all the contaminants from the raw fuel transforming it into an excellent alternative fuel source. Many people who produce biodiesel in small processors in their backyards get most of their raw materials from business such as restaurants that produce large amounts of vegetable oil waste. The benefit of creating a fuel source from waste products is such that the world as a whole is a better place.

One of the unexpected benefits of biodiesel is its ability flush out and clean the internal parts of a diesel engine. Studies have shown that it is able to remove dirt and deposits from fuel injectors and the fuel filter. This keeps the engine running efficiently and cuts down on maintenance costs, particularly when it comes to replacing fuel injectors. In fact studies on engines that were converted from regular diesel have shown that using biodiesel cleans away the deposits and residue the regular fuel leaves behind, leading to better fuel economy.

Because it is also a naturally oxygenated fuel and contains very little sulfur and aromatics it is an extremely clean burning fuel. There is a significant reduction in particulate and carbon monoxide emissions as compared to regular petroleum based diesel fuel.

These are just a few of the reasons biodiesel will benefit our planet and the energy issues we are starting to face. It could well be the alternative fuel answer we need to explore as the world’s oil supplies begin to dwindle and the cost of energy continues to increase. There could come a day when we all produce our own fuel right in our backyards and gas pumps go the way of the dinosaur.

“This article is brought to you by Gus Woltmann”.

Whenever we talk about biodiesel we mean the process of converting waste vegetable oil to an alternative fuel called biodiesel (or biodiesel conversion) which is then poured into unmodified diesel tanks in place of petroleum-based diesel. There is, however, another practice that comes to many minds whenever the term “biodiesel” comes up. This phenomenon involves the conversion of the engine rather than the oil, modifying a normal diesel engine to where it can run on unmodified waste vegetable oil (grease, fat, lard, etc.), in essence turning it into a “biodiesel engine”.

Thus the now famous and aptly named Grease Car. With greasecar as but one shining example of many, biodiesel engine conversion is gaining widespread appeal and it’s no wonder: imagine pulling up behind McDonald’s and getting all the free fuel you can carry! It’s true. Restaurants have to pay to get their waste vegetable oil carted away. People needing to fuel a biodiesel engine are doing them a favor – taking it away for free.

Many fast food restaurants, in fact, prefer if you establish committed relationships with them, coming by regularly to pick up a consistent amount. That way, they can adjust their contract with their actual waste disposal provider accordingly.

One New York City man has driven over 3,000 miles on his biodiesel engine modified 1985 Mercedes station wagon off of free fry oil he gets from his corner deli.

Biodiesel engine conversion appeals to many because it’s a process that only needs to be done once, where as actually biodiesel conversion must be performed every time the tank runs dry. With the burgeoning rise in biodiesel fill-up stations around the country, however, that advantage won’t weigh as heavily for long.

If you’re interested in having a biodiesel engine all your own, you can buy packaged biodiesel engine conversion kits to help you. These conversion kits come with full instructions and all the necessary equipment needed to modify any car with a diesel engine to run on straight waste vegetable oil.

You can even buy a more heavy duty biodiesel engine conversion kit built especially for heavy duty trucks.

Once a standard diesel engine is converted to a biodiesel engine, it can still run on regular, petroleum-based diesel (which is a very good thing – imagine being stranded at a service station because there’s no vegetable oil in sight!)

Waste vegetable oil used in a converted biodiesel engine must first be filtered to prevent clogging up the fuel lines. It’s recommended, in fact, to filter it more than once, through successively smaller mesh filters (they’re measured in “microns”, the smaller the number of microns being the finer the mesh). You can find filters of different sizes at most auto supply stores.

Now, there are many among us who, well aware of our own mechanical limitations, wouldn’t want to risk “messing with” our cars that way, and most of the biodiesel information in this website will speak primarily to these people, with such info as where to purchase biodiesel fuel and how to do your own biodiesel conversion. If, however, you feel empowered to spruce up your diesel engine into a “biodiesel engine”, more power to you. Either get yourself a kit or a thorough book on the subject and then get on your way. And whichever route you go, we wish you the happiest of travels!

“This article is brought to you by Gus Woltmann”.

Biodiesel fuel is not compatible with every diesel engine. This is why it is so important for you to check your Owner’s Engine Manual to find out what types of fuels you can use.

The biggest drawback of biodiesel is that it is not compatible with all engine components. However many manufacturers such as Ford and Volkswagen have or are in the process of creating a diesel car or diesel engine more compatible with low sulfur diesel fuels.

The main problem arises when you try to put biodiesel fuel into the diesel engine of older machines. Even blended biodiesel will soften and degrade certain types of elastomers and natural rubber compounds in you diesel engine over time. Undiluted biodiesel can destroy certain types of gasket, hose, and seal compounds like natural rubber, Buna-N, and nitrile, which can create fuel system leaks. Unfortunately these materials are what most fuel hoses and fuel pump seals are made of.

Most manufacturers recommend that natural or butyl rubbers not be allowed to come in contact with pure biodiesel. One way around this is to replace your hoses and fuel caps with a material that is compatible with biodiesel. Another suggestion is to use the diesel fuel blend that is recommended not to cause stress and wear on your hoses and sealants.

In general it is thought that that blends of B20 (20% biodiesel and 80% diesel fuel) or lower cause the least stress for diesel engines. Once again, it cannot be stressed enough that you must consult with the manufacturer of your vehicle or machine and read your owner’s manual before playing around with biodiesel. As a rule of thumb, never ever pour pure (B100) biodiesel into a diesel engine of any kind! Always use a blend because experimentation with biodiesel fuel could prove to be expensive.

The single greatest factor that can affect biodiesel’s performance in our engine is a cold temperature. Cold weather can cloud biodiesel and turn into gel. Users of a 20 percent biodiesel blend with #2 diesel will usually notice problems when the temperature reaches approximately 2 to 10° Fahrenheit. Below that you could experience gelling in your fuel pumps and hoses.

Given the above information you can also see why you would never use 100% pure biodiesel in a diesel engine in cold temperatures. It stands to reason that neat biodiesel will gel even faster than blended biodiesel. Solutions for winter operability with neat biodiesel include blending biodiesel with No. 1 petroleum diesel fuel. Storing the vehicle in a heated garage so that the biodiesel blend in the diesel engine does not have a chance to gel is also recommended.

Both blended and neat fuels in a diesel engine will respond to the use of cold flow improvement additives such as regular anti-freeze and kerosene. However make sure that your manufacturer approves any additives you add to your biodiesel.

“This article is brought to you by Gus Woltmann”.

Biodiesel is a new technology for the production of fuel. Biodiesel is made by converting an organic matter, such as vegetable oil or even algae into diesel. It is a simple process, but fascinating at the same time because of the impact biodiesel could have, not only on the economy but on the environment as well.

Because this is such a new technology, the production of biodiesel is being heavily researched. Recently an interesting study was done on biodiesel fuel that was produced from soybean soapstock. Soapstock is a byproduct of vegetable oil refining. Soapstock is the result of using industrial substances to get edible oil from seeds. These seeds include cotton or sunflower of safflower. It is an amber-colored, rather sticky substance, but it is produced in abundance every single year.

Researchers have been trying to see how well soapstock and biodiesel will hold up to conventional biodiesel. Preliminary findings are encouraging. It has been found that producing biodiesel fuel from soybean soapstock is comparable to existing biodiesel in engine performance, composition and emissions.

If research in soapstock and biodiesel continues to show such favorable findings that would mean that the millions of pounds of soapstock that is produced each year can begin to be used to produce biodiesel fuel. Two industries that currently this soapstock are animal feed producers and soapmakers. In some states soybean oil soapstock is used on gravel roads is used to control dust. This is popular with the states because soybean oil soapstock is biodegradable and friendly to the environment. However, if another use is found for it, such as biodiesel, there is plenty to go around.

It is encouraging that there are other products, such as hair gel are being considered for using up all this soapstock. Keep a watch on the growth of this technology. Not only for the obvious environmental benefits, but these may prove to be excellent investment opportunities for those so inclined.

“This article is brought to you by Gus Woltmann”.

Biodiesel has been getting its share of interest among people in the search for alternative fuels. The cost of oils has been steadily going up in the worldwide market and many think it is time to find alternative sources to tone down in some way the rising costs of using gas and other petroleum-derived fuels. One of the alternatives found to have promise is the production of biodiesel.

Biodiesel refers to a type of processed fuel that can be derived from biological sources. It can be readily used in diesel engine vehicles. This distinguishes it from the use of straight vegetable oils (SVO) or waste vegetable oils (WVO) as the chosen alternative which requires vehicles to have modified diesel engines installed in order to make use of such fuels.

What makes biodiesel also an ideal alternative is that it is biodegradable and non-toxic. Biodiesel also provides considerably fewer combustion emissions when compared to petroleum-based diesel fuel.

Since biodiesel can readily be used in current diesel engines without having to modify them, it has the potential to supplement the use of petroleum-based fuels as a primary energy source to fill up the need of the world’s transportation sector. And not only that, biodiesel holds the promise of being used as a cheaper alternative heating fuel for domestic and commercial boilers.

Biodiesel can be used in its pure form or it may also be blended with petroleum diesel. It provides a number of advantages and benefits with its use. One of biodiesel’s better properties is its high lubricity index. Higher than that of pure petrodiesel, this excellent lubricating property of biodiesel can greatly contribute to lengthening the life of an engine’s fuel injector.

Biodiesel is also a better solvent than conventional diesel and has been shown to break down residue deposits in fuel lines that have previously been using conventional diesel products. That’s why fuel filters becoming clogged with residue particles as the biodiesel does its work of cleaning the engine has become so common. A change of filter after running 600-800 miles on biodiesel is recommended to solve this problem.

There are subsequent environmental benefits when choosing to use biodiesel over conventional petroleum based diesel. Biodiesel use results in a significantly reduced emission of carbon monoxide. Biodiesel also contains fewer hydrocarbons and can reduce tailpipe particle emissions by as much as 20 percent.

Biodiesel also has low sulfur content without compromising its natural viscosity and lubricating properties which is usually the case when using ultra-low sulfur petrodiesel varieties. It’s also biodegradable and non-toxic, which makes it a more environmentally friendly alternative.

It is being suggested by many biodiesel advocates that excess or waste vegetable oil can be the best source of oil to produce this alternative fuel. But the current available supply is unfortunately lesser than the amount of petroleum-based fuel that is burned for transportation and home heating all over the world. Gallons upon gallons of waste vegetable oil are produced by US restaurants every day.

But this may not be enough to satisfy the need for more and more fuel. Producing biodiesel from animal fats may not be feasible enough to replace petrodiesel just yet because of its limited supply. However, research is underway to find ways and to develop systems which could make biodiesel more available and help answer the growing needs of alternative fuel.

“This article is brought to you by Gus Woltmann”.

Biodiesel has actually been around for a lot longer than most people would think. Made from natural materials, most commonly soybeans, biodiesel provides an alternative to regular diesel fuels that is comparable in terms of performance, but without the environmental risks.

Field tests have shown that biodiesel can be used in conventional diesel fuel engines without requiring any mechanical modifications. Furthermore, it offers the same mileage, torque, horsepower, and hauling capability as conventional diesel. The same tests also showed that biodiesel increased the lubrication of the engine, increasing engine efficiency by as much as 30 percent by improving lubrication and by cleaning out the engine system.

Biodiesel is best used in blends with conventional petroleum based diesels, serving as an additive. There are two main reasons for this: One, certain plastics and rubbers are degraded by exposure to high percentages of biodiesel. Conventional elastomers and natural rubbers will be rapidly degraded by constant exposure to biodiesel, so pure or high percentage blends of biodiesel are not recommended for engines that use elastomers and natural rubber tubing. Replacing these parts with chemically compatible synthetic tubing is possible, however, and eliminates this problem for vehicle owners deciding to run with pure bio diesel.

The other reason that biodiesel is recommended for use as an additive is that it congeals in cold weather. While this will not be a problem if the vehicle is going to be used in a hot environment, like one with a tropical climate, if the engine is going to see use in extreme cold, it is recommended that a 20% blend of biodiesel be added to 80% conventional petroleum. Anything above the 20% mark clogs up during winter. Pure 100% biodiesel actually congeals into a gel during wintertime. However, for people who want to use biodiesel exclusively as a fuel source, the use of an efficient engine pre-heater system can overcome the tendency of biodiesel to clog in cold weather.

Biodiesel is an excellent modern alternative fuel source because it is primarily made from soybeans, which is a renewable resource. Unlike normal petroleum, which experts claim will eventually run out on the planet, soybeans can be grown in most climates and can thrive under harsh weather conditions. This ensures a continuing fuel source that can be made almost anywhere.

Due to its organic nature, soybean biodiesel also emits none of the usual atmospheric pollutants associated with conventional petroleum fuels, and is readily biodegradable. This gives biodiesel high points with most environmental preservation groups, and ensures clean emission tests for vehicles. As a matter of act, due to its ability to improve the lubrication of engine parts, biodiesel actually cleans the engine as it runs through the system.

If utilized as a fuel additive instead of being employed as an alternative fuel replacement for conventional diesel, one other advantage of soybean diesel over other chemical-based diesel fuel additives is that once blended with regular diesel, it stays blended permanently with it instead of settling into its own layer of liquid eventually. This ensures maximum compatibility with petroleum diesel and causes no erratic performance problems.

Due to its high environmental safety factor, its comparative performance to conventional fuels, and its ability to improve engine efficiency, soybean biodiesel had officially been recognized by the EPA as a viable alternative fuel source and a fuel additive, and has enjoyed increased attention from international corporate investors as well at the endorsement of environmental groups.

“This article is brought to you by Gus Woltmann”.

What are biodiesel cars?

* It’s a car whose fuel you can make at home.
* It’s a car that doesn’t depend on the high price of gasoline to get you to work.
* It’s a vehicle that is cleaner and more efficient than gas or regular diesel.
* It’s a car your friends are gonna envy.

Of course, most people won’t believe it at first. Then they’ll make up all kinds of reasons why biodiesel cars isn’t a good idea “for them.” Well, THEY HEARD, blah, blah, blah. Well, that’s cool. They’re correct, it’s not for some people. But if you want to needle them a little, all you have to do is ask them a simple question;

How much do they pay a month for fuel?

Watch the conversation lose steam real quick after that. Or if they are die-hards, remind them of these facts about biodiesel cars…(From the National Renewable Energy Laboratory document “Biodiesel Handling and Use Guidelines”

78.3% reduction in greenhouse gases

55.4% reduction of particulate emissions (black sooty cloud)

56.3% reduction of hydrocarbons

80-90% reduction of mutagenicity (cancer-causing agents)

100% reduction of sulfurs (a major component of acid rain.

Yes, it is entirely possible to eliminate Exxon Mobil from your daily commute. More people are using biodiesel cars everyday. Even more people will in the future. You will need a diesel car (or truck) of course. Many companies make them and more will in the future. Mercedes is one, (Come on, be honest. Wouldn’t you really like to have an old Mercedes to tool around town in?) Volkswagen is another. Jeep is also coming out with a new “Liberty” model already modified for biodiesel. With very little modification, (or none) these cars will run better, last longer, and trust me on this, smell a whole lot better.

You can easily brew up a tank over the weekend in the garage with a biodiesel kit, or the home built biodiesel processor you built from the pages on the web site below and cruise around town for the rest of the week in a biodiesel car whose exhaust smells like fresh pop corn! In which case NO CONVERSION is necessary.

So let’s go straight to the number one question…

“Is biodiesel conversion for my car/truck possible…?”

If you are thinking about using and/or brewing your own biodiesel, no conversion is necessary. You can run your car or truck on biodiesel no problem, and no conversion needed. “Conversion” refers to running your car/truck on straight vegetable oil (SVO) You got it right, slop some Canola in the tank and go. A lot of people are doing just that.

“How do I convert to biodiesel?”

Converting is a matter of understanding the principles involved, the weaknesses of SVO and planning around them. You need in essence two fuel tanks, one with diesel, one with biodiesel. You start the engine on diesel, then when it is warm, switch over to SVO. The web site below contain plans on how to “do-it-yourself.”

“What are the disadvantages to biodiesel conversion?

Like all things in life, there is a downside. For one, depending on where you live, in colder climates warming your engine and/or fuel maybe necessary. For another, if you are using waste vegetable oil there is time involved in filtering the oil, etc. Last, there will be the expense of either installing your own conversion kit, or buying a kit and having a mechanic do it.

“This article is brought to you by Gus Woltmann”.

Biodiesel fuel is not compatible with every diesel engine. This is why it is so important for you to check your Owner’s Engine Manual to find out what types of fuels you can use.

The biggest drawback of biodiesel is that it is not compatible with all engine components. However many manufacturers such as Ford and Volkswagen have or are in the process of creating a diesel car or diesel engine more compatible with low sulfur diesel fuels.

The main problem arises when you try to put biodiesel fuel into the diesel engine of older machines. Even blended biodiesel will soften and degrade certain types of elastomers and natural rubber compounds in you diesel engine over time. Undiluted biodiesel can destroy certain types of gasket, hose, and seal compounds like natural rubber, Buna-N, and nitrile, which can create fuel system leaks. Unfortunately these materials are what most fuel hoses and fuel pump seals are made of.

Most manufacturers recommend that natural or butyl rubbers not be allowed to come in contact with pure biodiesel. One way around this is to replace your hoses and fuel caps with a material that is compatible with biodiesel. Another suggestion is to use the diesel fuel blend that is recommended not to cause stress and wear on your hoses and sealants.

In general it is thought that that blends of B20 (20% biodiesel and 80% diesel fuel) or lower cause the least stress for diesel engines. Once again, it cannot be stressed enough that you must consult with the manufacturer of your vehicle or machine and read your owner’s manual before playing around with biodiesel. As a rule of thumb, never ever pour pure (B100) biodiesel into a diesel engine of any kind! Always use a blend because experimentation with biodiesel fuel could prove to be expensive.

The single greatest factor that can affect biodiesel’s performance in our engine is a cold temperature. Cold weather can cloud biodiesel and turn into gel. Users of a 20 percent biodiesel blend with #2 diesel will usually notice problems when the temperature reaches approximately 2 to 10° Fahrenheit. Below that you could experience gelling in your fuel pumps and hoses.

Given the above information you can also see why you would never use 100% pure biodiesel in a diesel engine in cold temperatures. It stands to reason that neat biodiesel will gel even faster than blended biodiesel. Solutions for winter operability with neat biodiesel include blending biodiesel with No. 1 petroleum diesel fuel. Storing the vehicle in a heated garage so that the biodiesel blend in the diesel engine does not have a chance to gel is also recommended.

Both blended and neat fuels in a diesel engine will respond to the use of cold flow improvement additives such as regular anti-freeze and kerosene. However make sure that your manufacturer approves any additives you add to your biodiesel.

Ash Ried is the author of numerous guides and articles on Biodiesel. You can find articles on How To Make And Use Biodiesel on his website. Click here to get free access

“This article is brought to you by Gus Woltmann”.

With the current shape of the environment and global economy, more and more people are starting to recognise the advantages of using alternative fuels such as biodiesel. Biodiesel is currently the most tested and popular alternative fuel source in the US. The process of making biodiesel is done by mixing vegetable oil with methanol and lye, and converting into biodiesel by means of a processor. Both biodiesel and a biodiesel processor can be made from the home basement or garage, and the process it actually quite simple.

Learning how to make your own biodiesel does take some practice, and its usually best to start by making some test batches first. Once you become more familiar with the chemicals and reactions, you can begin with mass production, all you need a basic biodiesel processor and apply the same procedure, but on a larger scale.

Safety Equipment

Firstly make sure your are wearing appropriate safety gear, this includes

* chemically resistant respirator
* chemically resistant gloves
* apron
* goggles

Steps To Making a Test Batch

* you need 3,5 gram of lye for every litre of unused veggie oil, and 6 gram for every litre of used veggie oil
* use a big THICK bowl, and add the lye and methanol bit a time
* mix the ingredients until the lye has dissolved, what you should have left is known as methoxide
* add the vegetable oil to the methoxide and put in a slow speed blender for 30 minutes
* allow to sit for 24 hours
* you should have thick content on the bottom (glycerine) and thin brown liquid on top
* if this is not the case recheck your lye measurements

“This article is brought to you by Gus Woltmann”.

With the increase in the gas prices the people get to see a rising interest to research for an alternative solution. Most drivers want something more economical when it comes to fuel. They want something safer and cleaner. They also want something that will not cost so much.

Today, you would have seen a number of new fuel being introduced and some of the alternatives received great reviews. Biodiesel is one of the fuel that is in this category. Biodiesel offers a potential solution to the highly priced fuel.

Biodiesel is Different

One unique feature that makes Biodiesel a good candidate is that you do not need to buy a new car or even modify your vehicle so that you can use Biodiesel. If you run off diesel fuel then you can use Biodiesel.

Biodiesel is very different from regular fuel, but in good ways. Biodiesel burns like any other diesel which is the very reason why you can use it in your car without modifications. In addition, it is a fact that Biodiesel tends to burn cleaner, so there tend to be lesser wear and tear and lesser pollution to the environment. What’s even better, Biodiesel is also safer with less chance of explosion or fire.

Different Blends of Biodiesel

It is interesting to note that most commercial Biodiesel sold in the marketing today are blended version. This means is that Biodiesel and regular diesel are mixed at various levels. The reason why it is done that way is because pure Biodiesel does not work well with traditional rubber parts found in most vehicles today. Hoses and other rubber parts wear down over time with Biodiesel use. Mixing Biodiesel and regular diesel into a blend will help to rectify this common issue.

B100, which is pure Biodiesel, can still be found. For those who have removed the rubber parts in their engine will get the best benefit from using pure Biodiesel. Whatever it is, it’s a fact that blended Biodiesel still wins over the straight diesel fuel and it can be used in any diesel-driven vehicle safely.

Myths of Biodiesel

There are many myths about Biodiesel that cause some people to think they should not use it. The issue of Biodiesel breaking down rubber parts has been magnified. It is pretty cheap when it comes to changing the rubber parts compared to the problems that may arise from using regular diesel. Biodiesel is much cleaner and so it will greatly reduce the effects of wear and tear. That means less service and maintenance to your vehicle.

In the end, most people will realize that Biodiesel is a head above the rest. Despite all the negative reports and criticism, Biodiesel is, without a doubt, a proven alternative fuel for all.

“This article is brought to you by Gus Woltmann”.

Conventional diesel and fuels are products of petroleum. They are now in shortage and in high demand, hence the increased price we’ve been seeing at the pump over the past few years. This has caused every country to be on the look-out for cheaper and renewable resources of diesel. Conventional petroleum is a product of coal and other decaying plants in the earth in high pressure, and the formation of which takes years. However, biodiesel that is produced form plants is a renewable source.

Biodiesel seems to be the best substitute or optional fuel. It is produced from domestic resources, such as crops or plants that are high in oil content. Another added benefit is that the life of automobile engines is also increased as biodiesel is a good lubricating agent. It is also safer to handle than petrodiesel.

Biodiesel production sources vary from vegetable oils, plant oils, animal fats, greases etc. These are converted into fatty acid methyl esters (FAME). For its synthesis, 3 major steps are to be followed irrespective of the source:

1) Transesterification of the oil – Alkali mediated
2) Transesterification of oil – Acid mediated
3) Oil to fatty acid conversion and production of biodiesel.

Transesterification is the process of exchange of ester groups and alkoxy group catalyzed by an acid or base. Here, glycerin is separated from the vegetable oil leaving behind methyl esters, which is essentially biodiesel. The glycerin is a byproduct used in soap production.

Biodiesel lacks petroleum and can be used in pure, or blended to any level with a petroleum diesel to recreate a biodiesel blend. The blends are named B20 for those that contain 20% Biodiesel and 80% petrodiesel and B5 for containing 5% biodiesel and 95% petrodiesel. B100 is 100% pure biodiesel. The blends usually are prices about the same as petrodiesel, while the pure forms of B99 or B100 are generally priced at higher rates.

This blend can be used for combustion of diesel engines with minimum or no changes. Biodiesel is said to be ‘clean burning’ i.e. does not emit pollutants like Carbon mono oxide, sulphur (100% SO2 emission free) smoke, etc. Hence, it can be called an eco – friendly solution to the environmental pollution issues.

Biodiesel usage does not require the changes of internal engines or other body parts. Modifications are required only if the engine has rubber fuel lines. This change does not have any adverse effect on the performance or power of the engine. The gasoline engines are not compatible with biodiesel, making conventional compression-ignition (diesel) engines a requirement for anyone who wants to run their vehicle on biodiesel.

The blended forms of biodiesel are available at affordable rates. In 1998, a biodiesel study was jointly conducted and sponsored by the US Department of Energy and the US Department of Agriculture, reported net carbon dioxide emissions to be up to 78 percent lower when biodiesel was used compared to petroleum based diesel.

Surprisingly, biodiesel is not a boon only for cars. Itt can be used for trains, aircrafts, and even as heating oil for domestic and commercial purposes. Heat produced from biodiesel is referred to as bioheat. Again, rubber piping should be changed as they will be affected by the solvent property of biodiesel.

“This article is brought to you by Gus Woltmann”.

Looking closely at biodiesel, we find that its physical and chemical properties are very similar to petroleum based diesel fuel in terms of operation in compression ignition engines (diesel engines). Therefore, biodiesel can be used in diesel engines without expensive alterations to the engine or fuel system.

When it comes to listing the advantages of biodiesel, there are many and advocates say these include low emissions, better scent, and higher lubricity. According to a DOE report, biodiesel has a lower energy content than regular diesel, but performs as well as diesel when mixed with diesel in blends of up to 20 percent.

The possibility of bio-diesel has been around for a long while, but it is only now, as oil appears scarcer and less secure that people are starting to invest in the possibilities which exist for it as an automotive fuel.

As the transport sector is likely to be the fastest growing contributor to greenhouse gas emissions for most of this century, and diesel prices climbing steadily, that the advantages of biodiesel are being appreciated by governments around the world.

However, there is as yet no source of biodiesel that is cheap and plentiful enough to meet the potential demand. The advantages of biodiesel are many; it is renewable, domestic, clean and can be based on a variety of vegetable feed stocks. Some early fleet reviews have also indicated long term maintenance reductions, but stay tuned for more on this. The advantages of biodiesel are; it is a renewable fuel, carbon dioxide neutral, low sulphur, non-toxic, biodegradable, produced locally in the UK, and when used it usually reduces emissions. Thus, overall biodiesel offers a range of environmental benefits unrivalled by any other alternative transport fuel.

Most research indicates that the gradual start of combustion which is a feature of biodiesel when used, also helps to decrease NOx emissions. In quantities up to 5 percent, bioethanol fuel can be blended with conventional petroleum fuel without the need for any engine modification. Bioethanol is produced using familiar methods, such as fermentation, and it can be distributed using the same petrol forecourts and transportation systems as before. Since pure biodiesel leaves no deposits of its own, this results in increased engine life. It is estimated that a biodiesel blend of just 1% could increase fuel lubricity by as much as 65% (U.S. source).

If a vehicle uses traditional diesel, the vehicle emits black, stinky smoke. With biodiesel, the smoke becomes very clean indeed. A good example is the US government implemented rules that mandates the use of alternative fuels in federal vehicles. B20 was adopted for use in moat national parks. If biodiesel is used to fuel all transport vehicles, amazingly it has been claimed that smog will become a thing of the past.

You can also make biodiesel from tallow (animal fats), fish oil, seaweed and algae. In fact, it was recently reported that in an extraordinary show of dedication to the project, the skipper, Pete Bethune, underwent liposuction, and the fat (all 100ml) was used to make a small amount of Biodiesel for Earthrace!

Biodiesel can also be made from imported feedstocks, such as palm oil, from around the globe in an effort to further ensure lower cost supply. Overall, the more diversified feedstock source fuel will be more resilient to market swings in feedstock pricing and supply, that could render the standard biodiesel from bio cropping production model non-viable. While soybean oil has provided a good starting point for biodiesel in the United States, it has yield limitations that will hinder biodiesel growth in the future.

Recently a friend who knows that my enthusiasm is great for biodiesel asked me whether I was investing in it. This was the first time I had thought of investing in biodiesel stocks, and although just a short 18 months back I would have thought him pretty crazy. This time I said that he had a point, and since then I have been seriously considering making some investment into that market quite soon.

So, biodiesel is a good fossil fuel substitute as long as done sensibly up to the recommended percentages. By-products created during its manufacture will also provide a whole range of new materials that can easily replace very many not so friendly materials, and leaving coal as a commodity that could be used for other optional safe and useful manufacturing processes that do not pollute our atmosphere.

A real tangible and global win-win solution exists for biodiesel users currently. As far as “tax subsidies” go, developed countries such as European Union members impose heavy diesel taxes whereas biodiesel is generally tax-exempt. This form of subsidy has provided cost advantages to biodiesel suppliers. So, all in all, the picture looks rosy for biodiesel.

“This article is brought to you by Gus Woltmann”.

If you are one of the many people who have been worrying about the steady increase of fuel prices, then it would certainly be better to start looking for alternative fuel sources. And if you would look at today’s trend in the market, it is quite clear that the fuel prices will not be decreasing anytime soon. Thus, it is only fitting to have more attention on the matter of biodiesel. But why biodiesel in particular? This is because biodiesel is a renewable fuel source and is very safe to use when it comes to environmental protection. This is precisely why there just might be a need to have a biodiesel plant operating in just about every state of America.

Just what are the positive effects that come with the usage of biodiesel? There are literally a lot. For one thing, you surely must have noticed how diesel-powered engines emit such black smoke in the long run. This one major downside comes with the use of diesel for fuel. However, this will no longer be a problem when you start using biodiesel. This is because biodiesel is fuel that burns in a very clean fashion. You will never see black smoke emitting from your car’s exhaust when you start using biodiesel.

It was in the latter part of the 1990s when the commercial production of biodiesel started. However, it was not just until recently that the construction of biodiesel plants has certainly caught the attention of a lot of people. Looking at the stats and figures, the operation and construction of the biodiesel plant actually shows so many significant benefits when it comes to both microeconomics and macroeconomics. And we are talking about both the rural and the commercial sector here! The benefits are even more promising when compared to those of the regular diesel plants!

Just by looking at the labor sector of America alone, the construction of such plants can bring forth roughly 39,000 jobs. These are permanent job positions made available for the local communities all over America, and this figure is just an estimate with the target year of 2015. This figure could very well rise during the passing years!

More importantly, the operation of these plants can reduce America’s dependence on crude oil imports coming from oil-producing countries, especially in the Middle East. With 2015 as the target year still, an estimated 240 million barrels of oil can be scrapped down, should biodiesel be in full production all over America. In this alone, the operation of a biodiesel plant will indeed be very beneficial.

“This article is brought to you by Gus Woltmann”.

When it comes to biodiesel, a lot of bad (and plain wrong) information tends to get thrown around leaving the public unsure as to whether biodiesel itself is indeed a good thing.

This article intends to dispel some of the myths and rumours and prove that biodiesel usage goes some way to saving money and indeed saving our planet.

Myth 1) You need an expensive engine mod to your diesel vehicle in order to run biodiesel. This is simply not true. Biodiesel will run in any diesel engine without any modification whatsoever.

Myth 2) Biodiesel will erode my engines gaskets and seal. Simply put, rubbish! The reason stories about biodiesel ruining engines ever came about is because some poor saps used biodiesel on regular gasoline engines and promptly ruined them.

Myth 3) Ethanol is better than biodiesel – no, it really isn’t. The environmental advantages of using biodiesl are clear for all to see.

Myth 4) Biodiesel is far too expensive. Take a look at the local prices and see for yourself. Biodiesel costs around $3.00 per gallon. If you check out certain parts of America you’ll see that regular gasoline can cost $3.50 and upwards!

Myth 5) A biodiesel exhaust smells real bad. Well, this one’s up to you, personally I love the smell of biodiesel. Once you realise the benefits to the environment you’re sure to start loving the odour too!

Myth 6) Biodiesel is an experimental fuel without proper testing. It is in fact one of the most thoroughly tested alternative fuels on the market. Tests have shown that it can perform in a similar fashion to gasoline while of course helping the environment in a way that regular diesel certainly does not.

Myth 7) Biodiesel just doesn’t last very long. In actual fact it’s no different than regular diesel. Petrol companies recommend that it isn’t stored past 6 months and this is standard across the board so its shelf life isn’t any worse than petroleum diesel.

I hope that clears up some of the myths and rumours for you. It’s time to take control of our futures and move towards a greener (and cheaper) lifestyle.

“This article is brought to you by Gus Woltmann”.

The price of fuel has been increasing for so many years now. Looking at the world market, you would see that the US is not the only country suffering from this price increase because there are so many countries suffering from the same plight. This is precisely why so many people are starting to look for fuel alternatives to combat these absurd prices already. One very convenient and cost-efficient alternative that people should consider is biodiesel. This is a clean-burning fuel that you yourself can create in your very backyard. With biodiesel, gone are the days of depending on oil-producing countries because we now have the capacity to create fuel for our own consumption. To do this, you would need biodiesel kits.

In its most basic form, this kit is actually specially designed to convert vegetable oil right into biodiesel. All you have to do is place vegetable oil inside the kit and it will convert the oil into biodiesel for you. You can then use the end product to power your cars that run on diesel. However, you should take note that there are actually some car companies that do not encourage the use of biodiesel on their engines. Failure to do so would actually render your car’s warranty void. This is quite understandable because not all car engines are designed to accept and process biodiesel for fuel so there is still that risk of the engine getting damaged when biodiesel is being used. This is especially true for older makes of cars. Thus, before you get a kit and start using biodiesel, consult your car company if their engines are indeed biodiesel-ready. Do not worry for most new makes are biodiesel-ready all on their own. The older cars and trucks are the ones you have to watch out for. If warranty is not a problem here, then there are conversion kits that can modify your engine to make it compatible with biodiesel.

Here are the supplies you will need when you start using your kit: tap water, methanol, and vegetable oil. Make sure you have a good supply of veggie oil. You can get this from your own kitchen, like that used veggie oil from last night’s dinner, or from restaurants as well. Instead of just throwing them out to the garbage, it would be so much better to convert them into fuel. As for pricing, the biodiesel kits that come with more features will certainly be more expensive.

“This article is brought to you by Gus Woltmann”.

The processing of biodiesel may require a number of biodiesel filters in order to ensure that the end product is of excellent quality. When you try to recycle waste vegetable or surplus corn oil and make them into biodiesel, you might need a biodiesel filter for your engine to make sure that contaminants can’t enter into the engine and damage it. Different biodiesel filters may be required for a number of different applications.

Biodiesel filters should have the following properties in order to work best in any given conditions:

1. High Temperature Properties. Almost any filter media can be used for water-based products. But in the case of filtering hot oils, resins and other high temperature products, a filter media that can withstand prolonged exposure to high temperatures is preferred. Biodiesel filters should be able to have excellent high temperature properties to be able to handle the filtration of biodiesel well enough.

2. Excellent Filtering. Biodiesel filters should be able to filter out the contaminants well enough in order to make a better grade product. All filters have a micron rating that determines the size of the particles that can be effectively captured by the filter media. A biodiesel filter having a 5 micron rating is preferred to provide excellent filtering properties.

3. Chemical Compatibility. A biodiesel filter should be able to withstand exposure to such chemicals as solvents, acids and alkaline solutions. A lesser quality filter may break down when exposed to such chemicals. Make sure that the biodiesel filter that you use has the property to withstand breaking down when exposed to such chemicals.

Biodiesel has become a very popular fuel alternative to petroleum-based fuel today. That is why more and more people are trying to make use of biodiesel in order to lessen their reliance on fuels based on fossil oil, which can pollute the environment. With biodiesel, people have the option to make use of a cleaner alternative. Here are just some of the key advantages of using biodiesel:

1. The use of biodiesel produces at least an 80 percent reduction in carbon dioxide emissions. Not only that, biodiesel contains little or even no sulfur content that can result in as much as a hundred percent less sulfur dioxide being released in the air.

2. Biodiesel is the only alternative fuel available that can run in any conventional diesel engine. Other alternative fuels such as waste or straight vegetable oil may require your diesel engines to be modified. This is not so with biodiesel. Anyone can use biodiesel immediately to fuel any conventional diesel engine today.

3. Biodiesel contain less unwanted contaminants that can do some damage to diesel engines. Biodiesel also has better lubricating properties than petroleum-based diesel and can help protect and extend the life of diesel engines. It’s a better solvent than petro-diesel and may therefore help clean the fuel lines and the engine itself by dissolving fuel residues and flush them out.

4. Biodiesel in non-toxic. It is safer to handle and transport. It is also highly biodegradable and has a higher flashpoint than conventional diesel.

5. Biodiesel can be produced from renewable oilseed crops such as soybeans, canola and mustard seed. As a renewable resource, production of this alternative fuel can go on and on as long as cultivation of such crops is continued. There is also research being done in trying to raise and harvest oil-rich algae as another source for the production of biodiesel.

“This article is brought to you by Gus Woltmann”.

Biodiesel is a popular alternative fuel. It has many benefits over traditional diesel fuel. It saves you money just by using it. Also biodiesel can be made right in your home.

It is safe to make with little risk. You can also learn to make biodiesel without a lot of specialized knowledge. Making biodiesel is pretty easy with a biodiesel processor.

The cost of the biodiesel processor and the supplies is still far less than you would spend in the long run on using traditional diesel, so it makes sense to start making your own biodiesel at home with a biodiesel processor.

Why You Need One

You may wonder why you need a biodiesel processor. You may be able to get biodiesel at your local fuel station. What you probably do not realize is that the biodiesel you are buying is likely a blend. While blends are still better than straight diesel fuel, they are not the best way to experience biodiesel. Pure biodiesel, sold as B100, is much better for your vehicle and for the environment.

Making your own pure biodiesel is not really difficult. With a processor it is actually quite simple because the processor does almost all of the work and all you do is end up with some pure B100.

What to Expect

Most biodiesel processors come fully assembled so you should expect to be able to start making biodiesel right away. You should also get instructions that clearly explain what to do and what ingredients you will need.

The biodiesel processor should handle most of the work so you should expect to only have some minor things to do to get started on making biodiesel. It should be a fairly quick process, depending on the ingredients you use. If you use used vegetable oil expect the process to take a little longer.

Additionally, with a biodiesel processor expect to get very well made biodiesel since the processor is made to only produce high quality fuel. You will not have as much room for error as you would with a kit.

How to Use It

You should have a special area just for your biodiesel processor. Since you will probably be using it a lot it helps to have it set up and ready to go whenever you need it. Additionally, it will help to prevent it from becoming damaged.

You should be sure to follow all the directions for making biodiesel and using the processor so you can be sure to get a good final product and a lot of use form your processor.

“This article is brought to you by Gus Woltmann”.

Biodiesel benefits you in many ways. Most of the time the focus is on the ways it is better than regular fuel, like how it burns cleaner, is cheaper and renewable. However, the most beneficial thing about biodiesel may be that it takes the control away from large companies and puts it in your hands.

You can make biodiesel at home because the biodiesel formula is rather simple to duplicate. You can produce your own fuel and send the big oil companies packing once and for all.

The Concept

The biodiesel formula is quite simple. It involves separating the vegetable oil. Through the biodiesel process the pure oil and the by product glycerin are separated out creating the biodiesel. This chemical process is called transesterification.

The Biodiesel Formula

The ingredients that you need to make biodiesel are vegetable oil, alcohol and lye. You will use a ratio of 75% oil to 22% alcohol and 3% lye. It is the chemical reaction between these ingredients that creates the separation of the biodiesel and the byproduct.

The Process

To make the biodiesel you will do the following:

- Mix the ingredients and let sit for about an hour. You will then see the chemical reaction taking place and the mixture separating. The glycerin will settle at the bottom with the biodiesel at the top.

- You then will pour out the biodiesel. If you used dirty vegetable oil then you will probably need to clean the biodiesel through a water wash. Otherwise it is ready to use.

Make sure that all the equipment you use to make biodiesel is only used to make biodiesel and never used in the home. Keep your biodiesel operations separate from cooking areas. This is for your safety. Lye can be quite hazardous and should be handled with care.

This simple process is why making biodiesel at home is something anyone can do. It is also a safe process. The only thing to be careful of is not getting burned by hot oil or by the lye.

Biodiesel is a great alternative to diesel fuel. It can be used straight in any diesel motor without need for conversion or any other changes. Biodiesel is also sold alongside diesel at some filling stations. However, as you have learned making it at home is a cheaper alternative that allows you to keep your hard earned money for yourself.

“This article is brought to you by Gus Woltmann”.

Biodiesel is regarded as a fuel of the future. But to get the best result and also optimum utilization of bio-fuel you need to wash the raw biodiesel and then dry it. Sounds pretty strange, right… There are number of ways through which you can wash raw biodiesel ranging from hand washing to even using a flashy mist washing system. But while carrying out biodiesel dry wash you must be extra careful so that the fuel does not turn into soap.

The processes mentioned above- hand washing, flashy mist washing system and the one where an aquarium is used- all have one major defect. They leave some amount of water thus reduces the efficiency of your fuel and also creates possible chances of corrosion inside the fuel delivery system. This is the prime reason for which now many researchers working in the field of biodiesel have stressed that apart from washing raw diesel drying it is also important. Many people are not aware of this step and thus miss to realize the full potential of Biodiesel .

There is a very easy way to get the whole process done, i.e. washing and drying. This process involves the use of a magic ingredient called Magnesol. Also popularly called “adsorbent filter aid” Magnesol ensures that the quality of your biodiesel is maintained by eliminating any contaminators within the methyl esters. Magnesol is the perfect solution for cleaning and drying your fuel so much so that you can even use this fuel at home.

Magnasol actually increases “the oxidative stability of biodiesel” and is the perfect replacement for wash water treatment which is often used at the end of a biodiesel production process. After the glycerin separation process raw biodiesel is left with raw contaminants. Any contamination has the ability to reduce the efficiency of your biodiesel. Magnesol is very efficient in cleaning up contamination.

Using maganasol also eliminates the step of liquid separation and drying of raw biodiesel. It can also eliminate bleaching of biodiesel. Magnesol has a high concentration of water and methanol. Following the process of purification through Magnesol also increases the stability of the biodiesel and makes it appropriate for use in home as well as industrial purposes.

The process of using Magnesol is also very simple. Magnesol which comes in simple powdered form should be mixed with the raw biodiesel after 10 minutes of glycerin separation. In this simplified biodiesel dry wash process Magnesol naturally bonds with many components like free fatty acids, methanol, mono and di-glycerides, free glycerin, metal contaminants and soap. Further these materials can be removed through a simple purification and thus you get your pure and clean biodiesel fuel.

“This article is brought to you by Gus Woltmann”.

Alternatively this fuel can also be blended in any proportion with diesel in the diesel engines of modern automobiles. However gaskets and hoses made with natural rubber as found in automobiles made up to the early nineties tend to be degraded more by biodiesel than by petro-diesel because of certain solvent properties of biodiesel. Modern engines however use FKM in place of rubber as it does not react with biodiesel. The transition from petro-diesel to biodiesel may be made gradually since the latter is often found to disintegrate the residual petro-diesel deposit on the fuel tanks resulting in clogging of the fuel filters. A blend of the two types of fuels in appropriate proportions should be resorted to before switching over fully to biodiesel to reduce this possibility. A better option while using biodiesel is to replace the fuel filters on the auto engines and heaters.

Availability

Applications and productions of biodiesel are rising in Europe, USA and Canada. It is being used in mixture with diesel in automobiles and the growing demand for this fuel has made it available in the fueling stations in the above countries. Petroleum diesel is although cheaper at present than biodiesel, perishable nature of the former cannot keep its cost down in the long term. While man cannot restore the gradually depleting oil reserve, more and more agricultural subsidies will be made available to encourage production of biodiesel ultimately bringing down its price.

Uses

The debate continues over which one is a better car fuel- petroleum diesel or biodiesel. Producers of petroleum driven by their vested interests try to establish that petroleum diesel is better for car engines. The producers of biodiesel claim that pure biodiesel in fact increases the life of the engine by reducing its wear and tear. This is supported by independent bodies also. Fuel stations sell biodiesel produced with standards set by the authorities regulating production and use of the fuel and the consumers are satisfied with performance of this fuel. However the higher cost still encourages the consumers to opt for the petroleum diesel fuel for their car engines or blending small proportion of biodiesel with the traditional oil. Use of less than 5% of biodiesel in the blend was initially advised by car dealers like Volkswagen and DaimlerChrysler in the USA to secure lives of their car engines but the recommendation has since gone up to 20%. Even 2% addition of biodiesel in the mixture reduces the viscosity of petroleum diesel and increases the lubricity of the mixed fuel. The standard proportion of biodiesel now followed most widely is 5%. World’s first biodiesel train by Richard Branson, the famous British businessman, was run on 20% biodiesel. Branson’s first commercial aircraft to run on biodiesel in February, 2008 signaled the important role this fuel is going to play in future aviation.

“This article is brought to you by Gus Woltmann”.

Biodiesel can be confusing. There are so many alternative fuels and energy options that it can be easy to forget the details about them. Even once you learn about biodiesel you may be left with many questions that are not answered.

Typically, places trying to advocate biodiesel fuel will only state the positive attributes of biodiesel. While there are many great things about biodiesel, only telling what is great can be a disservice to you, the consumer.

You should really try an unbiased option so that you can get all the information you need to really begin using biodiesel in an effective manner. By learning about the truth and things that you may encounter with biodiesel you can ensure you experience will be a good one because you will know what to expect. Nobody likes surprises and it could turn you off to using biodiesel if you just are not told everything.

Starting to Use Biodiesel

What you may not know is that using straight biodiesel fuel is almost unheard of. Most places that sell biodiesel are selling a blended form of the fuel. There is good reason for this.

You should not just switch your vehicle form diesel to straight biodiesel. The reason is that it can cause you some operating problems. These problems are not due to biodiesel being harmful for your vehicle. They actual occur due to the purity of the fuel.

A common problem with using a too high percentage of biodiesel is that this can cause clogging of the fuel filter. As the biodiesel runs through it can cause corrosion to come off of the lines and clog the filter. By using a blended biodiesel for a while this will allow the process to go slower and the filter not to become clogged.

Another issue with biodiesel is that it contains far less sulfur then traditional fuel and so it is not as lubricating and may not flow without the use of additives.

In colder temperatures the biodiesel may gel, which will obvious cause running problems. It is smart to make sure the biodiesel is kept above certain temperatures or that you use a blended form of the fuel to prevent this from happening.

As you can see these problems are far less dramatic then the pollution and the damage that other fuels do to your vehicle. However, they are still things you should know when you are going to use biodiesel.

“This article is brought to you by Gus Woltmann”.

With the price of traditional petroleum-based fuels sky-rocketing, more and more people are turning to biodiesel as a fuel source for their diesel engines. Biodiesel is a replacement fuel that is manufactured from vegetable oils (including soy, corn and canola oils), cooking oils or animal fats. All of these sources are renewable, unlike traditional petroleum-based diesel. Not only is biodiesel a cleaner-burning fuel that is better for the environment, it can save you money.

If you join the many people across the world choosing to make their own biodiesel, there will be some unavoidable setup costs. You will need to purchase a biodiesel processor which, if feature-packed and bought pre-fabricated, can set you back up to several thousand dollars. The cost will be less if you choose to construct your own biodiesel processor from secondhand materials, which is an option many home handymen take. Either way, you should consider your biodiesel processor as an investment. Biodiesel typically costs 70 cents to the price of an average gallon of pump-purchased gas. If you save yourself 30 cents for each gallon of biodiesel, then the cost of the processor will be quickly recouped.

There are few ongoing costs for biodiesel production. Securing sufficient quantities of feedstock is the greatest cost for commercial producers of biodiesel, but small-scale home production facilities rarely encounter such overheads. Often times, local restaurants and fast food shops will happily give you their used oils because you are saving them the trouble and expense of having the oil collected.

Biodiesel offers positive performance benefits for your diesel engines, which will also save you money in the long run. In particular, biodiesel has a higher cetane content, high fuel lubricity and is highly oxygenated. The high oxygen content means that the combustion process is more complete than it would be for petroleum-based diesel. This means you driver further per gallon and save more money.

Although there has been some confusion surrounding the suitability of biodiesel for use in cars, the jury is in: biodiesel will work in any diesel motor with little or no modification. This means you can use your home-grown biodiesel in everything from your car, to your truck, boat, bus or earth moving equipment. Studies have shown that biodiesel is actually better for your diesel engine than petro-diesel, due to a property known as lubricity. Engines that run on biodiesel show less wear, which extends engine life. This of course means that your vehicle maintenance costs are reduced.

The by-products of biodiesel production can also save you money. If you’re using vegetable oils as feedstock, you will generate glycerin during the production process. Glycerin, once purified, is useful as a combustible fuel and also is the principal component of soap and other degreasers. Many home-based biodiesel manufacturers offer their glycerin to similarly-sized boutique soap manufacturers.

Biodiesel has been called the “fuel of the future” – not only is it environmentally friendly, but it also reduces the operating costs and wear and tear on your diesel engines.

“This article is brought to you by Gus Woltmann”.

We all see the oil prices going up steadily. This is not just a news item; it has a direct impact on our pocket. Usage costs for any system that we have like heating systems or vehicle that runs on diesel, have increased significantly in the last several years and it does not show any sign that it will stop rising. It seems that we have no control on these prices and there is nothing that we, as the common people, can do. Well, that is absolutely wrong! Using alternative energy like biodiesel can save us more than 50% percents of the energy costs.

Beyond the fact that there are many benefits for using biodiesel, I will concentrate just on the economical aspect that will free your budget and help you reducing significantly the expenses on diesel. You can make bio diesel at home in your kitchen, garage or backyard. I know that you are thinking it is very complicated process and a huge hassle; well, it is not! Producing biodiesel by you is not as complicated as it sounds. With the right guidance and the right biodiesel home kit, which you can prepare by yourself as well, the entire process of making biodiesel is far from being complicated.

What exactly is biodiesel?

Biodiesel is the fuel that is made of vegetable oil or animal fat as opposed to petrodiesel that is based on fossil.

In order to produce biodiesel we need to separate the vegetable oil or the animal fat from the glycerin. The separation is done by transesterification (chemical process name ). At the end of the process we receive two materials, glycerin and bio diesel.

As you can see, there is no reason to be intimidated by these big words. Making biodiesel with a biodiesel kit saves lots of money and it is great fun as well.

“This article is brought to you by Gus Woltmann”.

Biodiesel – How to make diesel fuel from used cooking oil

Biodiesel is a fuel that can be used directly in any diesel engine generally without modification. It’s viscosity is twice that of regular diesel fuel which means it is better at lubricating your diesel engine than regular diesel. And… emissions are cut dramatically vs using standard diesel fuel. You can buy Biodiesel already made Or you can make it yourself using your own homemade equipment. One other option is to burn straight vegetable oil in your diesel engine. To do this, you must do three things: 1) You must pre-heat your vegetable oil including the storage tank and all feed lines, 2) You must start your engine using regular diesel or biodiesel, and 3) You must clean your system by burning only regular diesel or biodiesel before shutting the engine off. Here are the instructions on making your own biodiesel…

WARNING!!!!

Methanol is flammable and toxic. Do not let it touch your skin or get in your eyes. Wear proper protective gloves, clothing, and eyewear at all times. Same thing with ethanol. Lye is also very caustic – do not allow it to touch your skin or clothing. When you mix the lye with the alcohol, it creates an even more toxic substance and toxic fumes which you should be very careful with – do not come into contact with it in any way. Always be in a well ventilated area. Also… you are 100% responsible for your own safety. The author is not responsible in any way whatsoever for personal injury or damage to your engine.

Let’s get started…

Here is a general description of how to make your own biodiesel fuel using methanol, lye, and used cooking oil. This process is called transesterification You can buy methanol from your local racetrack or chemical supply store. You can buy granulated Red Devil lye (sodium hydroxide) from your local grocery store or hardware store. Make sure you filter the used cooking oil before using. Fry oil filters can be purchased in any good restaurant supply store. The oil also must be warmed up so it is not solid or lumpy or thick. You can use the sun to heat the oil or some kind of water heating element or a electric or gas burner of some sort. The ideal temperature is 120° F. If you are using flames, remember that the methanol is extremely flammable and you should turn your burner off before getting the methanol mixture anywhere near it. Of course, this should all be done in a well ventilated area too.

Hint…

To determine the amount of lye needed to start the transesterification process, do a small test batch first. You don’t want to mix up a large batch only to find out that you did not use enough lye. Some used cooking oils may contain different amounts of animal fats. The more animal fat in the vegetable oil, the more lye you need to start the process. Start with just 1 liter of oil and 200 milliliters (1/5th of a liter) of methanol and 4.5 grams of lye. First, mix the lye in with the methanol until dissolved (this creates sodium methoxide – very, very caustic – be careful). Then mix the sodium methoxide with the vegetable oil and mix for 1 hour. After mixing, let it settle for an hour or two and it should form two distinct layers of biodiesel (top) and glycerin (bottom). If there are not two distinct layers, repeat the whole process with 5.5 grams of lye.

You can also perform what is called a titration…

Dissolve 1 gram of lye into one liter of distilled water and dissolve 1 milliliter of vegetable oil into 10 ml of isopropyl alcohol. Then drop the diluted lye into the diluted vegetable oil one ml at a time. After each ml, measure the pH of the diluted vegetable oil with litmus paper or a pH meter. When the pH rises significantly, the free fatty acids will be neutralized. The ideal pH is between 8 and 9. The number of ml used will equal the number of extra grams of lye to use per liter of vegetable oil (starting from 3.5 grams of lye).

So, let’s assume 5.5 grams of lye produced the desired distinct two layers. We now want to scale it up to a 10 liter batch. So we need 10 liters of used cooking oil, heated. 2 liters of methanol and 55 grams of lye. Mix the lye with the methanol until dissolved and then pour the sodium methoxide mixture into the vegetable oil. Stir for one hour. The mixer can be a sump pump setup or some sort of mechanical electric mixer like a paint mixer. After mixing, let it settle for 8 hours. After settling, you can siphon or pump the biodiesel from the top. After washing, run it through a Racor fuel filter before burning it in your engine. The bottom part after settling is glycerin. A valve at the bottom of your barrel or container is useful to drain off just the glycerin. If you allow it to sit in the sun for a week to evaporate all the methanol, you can use it as a degreaser or to clean your hands.

Washing your biodiesel…

After the above process is completed, you should “wash” your biodiesel fuel to remove any residual soaps suspended in your fuel. The easiest way to get rid of the unwanted soap is to simply add water. The water will emulsify with the glycerin soap and settle to the bottom. So to perform the wash, simply spray an equal amount of water on top of your biodiesel and let it settle to the bottom for 12 hours. Drain the water off the bottom of your container with a valve and then repeat the process 2-3 times until the water drained off is clear. Heat your biodiesel up to 130° F for 20 minutes to evaporate any residual water and you are literally ready to go! Remember to filter it in a 5-10 micron filter before burning it in your engine.

Other ingredients…

Instead of using methanol, you can use ethanol. Ethanol is less toxic than methanol and is considered a “greener” fuel than methanol. Ethanol is “grain alcohol” and is usually made from corn which makes it a renewable fuel. Methanol is highly toxic and is made from fossil fuels or it can be distilled from fermented wood. That’s why it’s often called “wood alcohol”. Also… you can use potassium hydroxide instead of sodium hydroxide. I believe you’ll have to use 1.4 times as much potassium hydroxide as sodium hydroxide though. Make sure you do your “test batch” first!

Two more things….

1) What kind of engine do you need to use biodiesel… basically, biodiesel will run in any diesel engine unmodified. Biodiesel is a solvent, so if you put it in an old tank or use it with a diesel engine that has been running regular diesel, it may clean and dissolve some “residues” and then the residues will clog your fuel filter. Changing the filter often when you first start using biodiesel usually fixes this problem. Usually, manufacturers warranties are not voided when biodiesel is used, but check with your manufacturer to make sure. Sometimes a blend like B20 is required (20% biodiesel). Now if you are running straight vegetable oil (SVO), then you need to make modifications to pre-heat the oil to increase it’s viscosity.

2) The only other problem you might have is with natural rubber gaskets and hoses in vehicles made prior to 1992. The biodiesel may degrade these types of rubber and they may need replacing after a while. Newer engines have been modified (synthetic rubber) to stand up to the newer blends of diesel fuel that have been in use since 1992 and these engines will work fine with biodiesel

“This article is brought to you by Gus Woltmann”.

It doesn’t take a war to show us that our dependence on foreign oil has us skating on very thin ice. Biodiesel fuel is an alternative that subverts this need. It is an energy alternative with a proven track record and with the evidence numerous conclusive government and scholarly studies under its belt. Biodiesel production is well underway in many parts of the country (Indiana, in fact, just built its 3rd biodiesel fuel plant), and it can be used immediately in any conventional diesel engine with absolutely no modifications necessary. This is just the tip of the iceberg (skate all you want – this ice is as thick as it gets); the benefits of biodiesel fuel are wide and varied.

It only takes a glance at a single statistic to begin to understand why making the transition to biodiesel fuel seems almost a necessity to survive and flourish in the coming years – over 50% of the oil America uses today is imported and it looks like that figure is only going to increase drastically over time.

According to the Transportation Energy Database, domestic production of oil will taper off at about 8 million barrels per day while our usage swells from around 16 million barrels per day now to somewhere around 22 million barrels in just the next 20 years. At that point, imported oil will account for almost two-thirds of domestic consumption. How expensive do you think gas prices will be then?

A 1996 estimate of the true costs of foreign oil determined that $61 billion was being spent annually, between the military costs for securing the oil and oil-related foreign tax credits alone. As a direct result, for every billion of these dollars, 10,000 to 25,000 Americans with jobs in the industry, lost them.

In the meantime, if the demand for soy-based biodiesel fuel in the United States increased by 200 million gallons annually, U.S. farmers would increased their revenues by $300 million net.

Biodiesel fuel became, in 2000, the country’s first and only alternative fuel to have passed the rigorous Tier I and II health effects tests required by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) as described in the Clean Air Act. The summary analysis of the tests declared conclusively that biodiesel fuel, reducing significantly almost all emissions currently regulated (and some not regulated too), does not pose any threat to human health

In “A Comprehensive Analysis of Biodiesel Impacts on Exhaust Emissions”, a 2003 EPA analysis of 80 scientifically-conducted biodiesel fuel emission studies, including those from both the U.S. Departments of Energy and Agriculture, found that using biodiesel fuel in place of petroleum-based diesel in an unmodified fuel tank will reduce the following emissions by the following amounts:

• Total Unburned Hydrocarbons: 67%

• Carbon Monoxide: 48%

• Particulate Matter: 47%

• Sulfates: 100%

• Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons (PAH): 80%

• Nitrated PAH (nPAH): 90%

• Ozone potential or speciated Hydrocarbons: 50%

Carbon Monoxide, Sulfates, and Particulate Matter are all classified as “air pollutants” under the Clean Air Act. The compounds PAH and nPAH are reported to have carcinogenic properties, all the more reason to minimize their presence in the air we breathe.

What’s more, carbon dioxide emissions with biodiesel fuel had a 78% life cycle decrease. This means that, taking into account the entire process of growing, harvesting, processing, and transporting petroleum-based diesel and biodiesel fuel released 78% less CO2 into the atmosphere. Why is this important? Because, according to the scientific community, carbon dioxide is believed to be the one of biggest contributors to global warming.

The life cycle of biodiesel fuel has what’s called a “positive energy balance” meaning that for every unit of energy that goes into making biodiesel, more energy (in this case 3.24 units) is created.

Biodiesel fuel is safer to handle, store, use, and transport than conventional diesel gasoline because it’s much less combustible, its flash point higher than 150°C as opposed to 77°C for conventional diesel. Because biodiesel fuel doesn’t require any engine modifications be done to a conventional diesel engine before it’ll work, it can replace petroleum-based diesel gasoline right away. No pipelines need to be laid, no drilling and exploration necessary. No new infrastructure need be built at all to accommodate an immediate switch to biodiesel fuel.

And you don’t have to look far to find it either. Sure, if you’d like to set up your own homemade biodiesel production facility at home, you certainly can do it with very little trouble, but you can also find numerous places selling biodiesel fuel. You’d be surprised – your nearest biodiesel fuel vendor could be right around the corner.

“This article is brought to you by Gus Woltmann”.

Biodiesel fuel is a fuel made from the oil of certain oilseed crops such as soybean, canola, palm kernel, coconut, sunflower, safflower, corn and a hundreds of other oil producing crops. The oil is extracted by the use of a press. The oil is then mixed in specific proportions with other agents which causes a chemical reaction. The results of this reaction are two products, biodiesel and soap.

After a final filtration, the biodiesel is ready for use. After curing, the glycerin soap which is produced as a by product can be used as is, or can have scented oils added before use.

Biodiesel fuel is not a new development; however it has gotten quite a lot of publicity lately. This is largely due to the rising cost of crude oil which puts a strain on the consumer’s wallet at the gas pump. Biodiesel fuel is one alternative to relying on fossil fuels to operate our vehicles.

In 1895 Dr. Rudolph Diesel introduced the first diesel engine intended to run on vegetable oil. In 1900 he presented his engine at the World Exhibition in Paris. This diesel engine used peanut oil as fuel.

In 1912 Dr. Diesel predicted that in the future the use of vegetable oils as a fuel may be as important as the use of petroleum and coal was in his day. With the volatile nature of oil producing countries, and the ever surging cost of crude oil, interest in vegetable oils as fuel has been rekindled, so it seems Dr Diesel may have had a glimpse into the world of today.

Biodiesel fuel has several advantages over fossil fuel. The most celebrated advantage is that biodiesel fuel is less costly to make than gasoline. As an added bonus, biodiesel is environmentally friendly fuel. The use of biodiesel in an unmodified diesel engine will substantially reduce the emissions of harmful unburned hydrocarbons, sulfates, polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons, and carbon monoxide.

Biodiesel fuel works in almost any diesel engine. Just some of the equipment where these engines can be found is cars, trucks, tractors, planes, trains, boats, buses and almost all agricultural equipment. As you can see this adds up to a lot of potential use for biodiesel, and just as many chances to reduce the harmful emissions created from the use of fossil fuels.

So what makes biodiesel fuel such a promising fossil fuel alternative? Here are a few of the surprising facts pertaining to biodiesel.

Biodiesel fuel can be made from renewable resources such as vegetable oils and animal fats.

Biodiesel fuel reduces carbon dioxide emissions by up to 80%.

Biodiesel reduces the formation of acid rain because it produces no sulfur dioxide, which is the key element in creating acid rain.

Biodiesel fuel smells better at the tank, so filling up is a more pleasant task than with regular diesel. Biodiesel also smells better on the road, with the exhaust sometimes being described as smelling like French fries or doughnuts.

Biodiesel burns much cleaner, so the black smelly smoke one usually sees puffing from vehicles which use diesel engines can be eliminated.

An added advantage over regular fuel is that biodiesel fuel takes considerably less time to degrade in the event of a spill, usually about twenty eight days, which is about four times faster than gasoline or regular diesel fuel.

The extra lubrication provided by biodiesel fuel helps improve the longevity of your engine, as well as boosting engine performance, also helping eliminate engine knocks and noise.

Biodiesel fuel can be stored in any type of tank already approved for fuel storage, giving more savings to both businesses and consumers.

Biodiesel has a much higher flash point at 300 degrees to be exact, than regular diesel, at 150 degrees.

Biodiesel can be mixed with regular diesel fuel to make blends, such as B5 or B20.

Most diesel engines can use biodiesel without having to be modified in any way.

With all the advantages biodiesel fuel has over conventional diesel, it makes a smart alternative which not only makes a difference in our wallets, but also to the Earth itself.

“This article is brought to you by Gus Woltmann”.

Biodiesel is an alternative-fuel option for diesel burning motors. It has similar chemical properties to standard mineral based diesel but differs in that it has many positive traits for the people of the world and the environment. Biodiesel has many benefits that it offers the manufacturers, the growers, the sellers, and the consumers. But what is the best thing about Biodiesel?

Facts:

• Biodiesel’s raw materials are renewable.

• Biodiesel manufacturing produces virtually no waste product.

• Biodiesel makes western governments less dependent on oil producing countries.

• Biodiesel burns cleaner than standard diesel fuel.

• Biodiesel offers similar performance results as standard diesel fuel.

• Biodiesel is cleaner to manufacture than standard diesel fuel.

The best thing about Biodiesel though is that it is not the fuel of the future, the future is now. Biodiesel is ready to be manufactured and consumed as we speak. Many times when a new technology becomes a reality there is a lag time between when it is invented or developed and when it is ready to be released for general use. This lag time is generally used to let all segments of the manufacturing, distributing, and consumption process become a reality. With Biodiesel, this lag time is not needed.

Bringing Biodiesel to the marketplace would involve four main components. Raw materials to manufacture the fuel from must be found and obtained. Fuel must be processed, or refined, so that it is able to be put into vehicles. There must be a distribution plan setup to get the fuel to market. There must be end users who are able to use the finished fuel product.

The raw materials for Biodiesel are vegetation. Biodiesel is made from vegetable oil. In most cases corn or soybean oil is used to make the vegetable oil that is eventually turned into Biodiesel. As these raw materials are very common in almost every corner of the world, obtaining them is not difficult at all.

The processing of Biodiesel is going on right this very minute. Far sighted companies and individuals have been putting millions upon millions of dollars into Biodiesel processing plants all around the world. Millions and millions of gallons of Biodiesel can be made in the United States alone. This process is much cleaner than the process of refining standard diesel fuel as well. There are virtually no leftover byproducts and less pollution is made during the manufacturing process.

The physical properties of Biodiesel are so similar to that of standard diesel fuel that all machinery in use now that is used to handle the distribution of diesel fuel could be used in the distribution of Biodiesel. From the fuel tankers that haul it down the freeway to the gas station’s underground tanks and above ground fuel pumps, Biodiesel needs no special equipment that is not already in use.

So, now we have grown the raw materials, manufactured the Biodiesel, and delivered it to the fuel stations, all that’s left is finding the consumers. Biodiesel can be used in most standard diesel fuel engines with little to no adjustment made to the engine itself. Wherever there is a standard diesel fuel burning automobile, there is a potential end user for Biodiesel.

Biodiesel is ready now to be manufactured, delivered, and used as an alternative to petroleum based fuels. When thinking of the possibilities of Biodiesel, we no longer have to think of “one day”, we can just think of “today”.

“This article is brought to you by Gus Woltmann”.

Biodiesel is something that is starting to get a lot of attention. With high gas prices it is no surprise that alternative fuels are being seen as the next step in fueling our vehicles. Biodiesel is considered the best choice in alternative fuel because it burns clean, it is safe and it is cheap.

Biodiesel is made from vegetable oil. Using a renewable resource to get biodiesel means that with increased use the dependency on foreign oil will greatly diminish. Additionally, the profits for this country’s farmers will increase. The use of biodiesel essentially means a gain for the US economy. Additionally, biodiesel is safer for the environment as it does not produce harmful emissions or byproducts.

Biodiesel is unlike other alternative fuels in that it can be used in a regular diesel engine without the need for modifications. However, manufacturer warranties can become void when you use biodiesel. This is because manufactuers do not completely understand how prolonged use will effect the engine. So, if you use biodiesel in a vehicle that is not specifically made for biodiesel then you could risk voiding the warrenty.

A biodiesel car runs and works just like any other vehicle. It is just approved for use with biodiesel fuels. A biodiesel car is not a necessity to be able to use biodiesel fuel, but should a person be concerned about their warranty then a biodiesel car may be the best choice.

To take a look at a specific biodiesel car, there is the Bio-Beetle. This car was created because biodiesel fuel is so environmentally friendly. They are available as rental cars in both Florida and California. The Bio-Beetle uses the purest form of biodiesel. Some biodiesel sold as service stations only contains a fraction of biodiesel mixed with regular diesel. The Bio-Beetle is made to run on 100% biodiesel, not the blends.

There are many companies who are seeing the benefits of using biodiesel and who have started using biodiesel cars. In places where air pollution is a big concern, biodiesel cars are a great idea. Not only will using a biodiesel car keep pollution levels down, but it will also save money. Many large companies are saving hundreds of thousands of dollars every year using biodiesel cars.

Any car can be a biodiesel car, as mentioned. The main thing is the use of biodiesel fuel instead of regular fuel. Using biodiesel fuel is a smart choice. That is because biodiesel does not pollute the environment and costs far less then traditional fuel. In fact, biodiesel costs around 70 cents per gallon, which, as you know, is a far cry from the price of a gallon of traditional gas.

“This article is brought to you by Gus Woltmann”.

With price of gas on a continual upswing the next time you are considering buying a new car or truck you might want to consider a car that runs on an alternate fuel source. Biodiesel is an alternative fuel source that many people are processing right in their own backyards, meaning that if your next vehicle is a biodiesel car you can fill up your tank without ever leaving home.

Biodiesel fuel is considered to be one of the most cost effective and environmentally friendly alternative fuel sources in the world today. It is made simply by refining vegetable oil in a biodiesel processor that can be purchased of any number of websites.

There are many companies and municipalities that are beginning to use biodiesel fuel. They are doing this to help reduce the fuels costs of their fleet of vehicles. These fuel savings can be passed onto consumers and taxpayers, which is a win-win for everyone. If biodiesel is being used in your area you may see vehicles such as buses, garbage trucks, and construction vehicles with stickers labeling them as biodiesel equipped.

Finding a biodiesel car or truck may not be as hard as you may think. Many car manufacturers are designing and building cares that run only on biodiesel fuel. Of course where you live may have an impact on finding a biodiesel car but if you talk to your local car dealer they can probably either order one or point you to a dealer who has access to biodiesel cars.

If you have talked to your local dealers and still are not having luck finding a biodiesel car many manufacturers are also offering biodiesel conversion kits. A conversion kit can work great if you already have a diesel car or truck, or if you are interested in buying a used diesel vehicle. Although the kits are a bit expensive the cost saving in fuel over the lifetime of the vehicle can more than make up for it. In many cases an older diesel engine will work fine with biodiesel without any modifications.

Nearly any vehicle that runs on regular diesel fuel is a good candidate to use biodiesel. Changing over to biodiesel if you currently have a diesel car or truck is a good idea that can save you thousands of dollars in fuel costs every year.

“This article is brought to you by Gus Woltmann”.

Homemade biodiesel will reduce your fuel cost to as little as 50 cent a gallon!

• Did you know that the transportation industry causes more damage to the ozone layer than any other industry?? With the help of the media, more people than ever are taking notice of the damage we are contributing to the ozone layer. Governments and agencies around the world are now researching alternative ways of producing energy and fuel.

• Over the last few years government and environmental agencies such as the Envronment Protection Agency and U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA), have spent millions on researching the benefits of using biodiesel. Studies have shown that biodiesel production is set to grow to approximately 124 million gallons per annum

• There are countless benefits to using biodiesel – Here a just a few

• You’ll receive government incentives and tax benefits when you make your own biodiesel fuel

• Biodiesel is a non-toxic and reusable fuel source

• The contents of biodiesel are much more lubricant than those in regular diesel, making it better for your cars engine

• Unlike regular diesel, biodiesel emits a pleasant and fresh odour

• Because biodiesel is a made from renewable sources, you can expect to save money on fuel costs

• Biodiesel can be used on any of your home or vehicle engines that run on diesel, without having to make any modifications

• It has been proven that biodiesel is harmless to your health

• By using biodiesel you’ll be helping the farmers keep their jobs

• Because biodiesel is free of sulphur the exhaust emission are completely non-toxic

• It is possible that you can make your own biodiesel, and join the ever growing biodiesel community

• The basic procedure of making biodiesel involves using a biodiesel processor to convert vegetable into biodiesel, by mixing the oil with lye and methanol

• Before you start making biodiesel it’s essential that you are equipped with the right safety gear. This includes chemically resistant gloves, eye wear and respirator

• Making your own biodiesel does take some practice, but once you’ve done a few test batches you’ll find the process will become much easier. Once you begin making biodiesel you’ll find that it can be a satisfying and exciting hobby

• To make your first test batch of biodiesel, you will need these 3 ingredients – lye, methanol and vegetable oil. If you don’t already have these, don’t worry, there quite easy to find.

• You should be able to find some local restaurants or takeaway stores, that will give away their vegetable oil for free

• You can purchase lye from most convenience stores, by checking either the cleaning or bathroom sections

• You can purchase methanol from the local hardware store, or if you have a go kart track nearby, you can ask there

• You do not need a biodiesel processor to make a test batch… All you need is a small blender. Once you become comfortable making biodiesel you will have to use a proper processor; you can make one yourself or purchase one. You might be able to find some good second processors on eBay

• Before making your own biodiesel it helps to understand how the process works. Transesterification is the technical term for converting vegetable oil into biodiesel. Basically the objective is to separate the glycerine from the fatty chains on the vegetable oil. The lye is used to break up the chains of fat held together by the glycerine. The methanol is then mix to replace the glycerine, creating biodiesel…

“This article is brought to you by Gus Woltmann”.

As surely as the world spins around, interest in biodiesel continues to grow every day. Since it was first mentioned a few years back to today, Biodiesel is now everywhere. Even small gas stations are beginning to install biodiesel pumps and judging by the amount of demand for it, it will only continue to expand in the next few years.

Biodiesel has many advantages over common gasoline, notably, the fact that you can use your old cooking oil to produce it is a great one. In my opinion, people are really just beginning to understand what biodiesel can do to help us in so many ways in terms of the global warming situation and also, most specifically in these times of gas crisis, in terms of savings in gas prices.

Just a few short months ago, it seemed like biodiesel was doomed for failure. Prices of biodiesel were still way higher than gas prices and production didn’t seem to be justifiable in terms of the demand for it. A lot has changed since and it is still changing as gas prices start to hit the $4 mark all over the good US of A.

It is interesting to note that in places like Europe, where 50% if the cars on the streets run on diesel already, biodiesel isn’t growing as fast as the US.

Other places like Brazil for instance, where Ethanol is the big thing, they are investing hundreds of thousands of dollars in biodiesel plants because they believe it can be a better fuel than gas.

Biodiesel fuels are said to have limitless basis for growth given the many resources available for its production. It has been produced mostly through corn and soybeans but the technology that has been evolving in the past few years can take it much farther than that.

Today, we can use most virgin oils produced by a variety of different plants to make biodiesel so, to say that a biodiesel expansion is not on the horizon is to ignore the obvious. Even our kitchen oils such as canola oil that we use to put in our salads and to saute our stir fries can be used to produce Biodiesel.

I hope and secretly expect that biodiesel will be one of the major revolutions of this century and that a few years from now, we are all going to be trying to remember the day when our cars were moved by gas. Can you dig it? I certainly can.

Marcio Dias is a Web Marketing Specialist who has been involved in environmental issues for more than 20 years. He has worked in several projects that aim to help save the rainforests throughout South America and more specifically of Brazil.

“This article is brought to you by Gus Woltmann”.

The Advantages of Biodiesel

Looking closely at biodiesel, we find that its physical and chemical properties are very similar to petroleum based diesel fuel in terms of operation in compression ignition engines (diesel engines). Therefore, biodiesel can be used in diesel engines without expensive alterations to the engine or fuel system. Besides the obvious cost savings, some other notable benefits of using biodiesel include the following:

* Biodiesel is biodegradable, non-toxic and essentially free of sulfur and aromatics.
* Safer to handle and transport
* Fewer noxious emissions than petroleum-based diesel, and virtually eliminating acid rain-causing sulfur dioxide
* Runs in any conventional, unmodified diesel engine
* Improved lubricity
* High cetane number
* Improved conductivity particularly compared to Ultra Low Sulfur diesel fuel

The best advantage is the fact that biodiesel is a renewable fuel source, where petroleum fuels are limited. This alone will be the reason for it’s ever increasing popularity.

The Disadvantages of Biodiesel

LOWER ENERGY CONTENT

The energy content of neat biodiesel (100% biodiesel) is about 11% lower than that of petroleum based diesel fuel, resulting in a power loss in engine operation. Engine adjustment for the power losses could lead to violation of EPA anti-tampering provisions. Biodiesel can be blended with petroleum fuel to create biodiesel blends that can minimize the power loss. (Blends are designated as Bxx, where “xx” is the percentage of biodiesel in the blend. Most generally accepted by engine manufacturers is a B5 blend (5% biodiesel and 95% diesel fuel) or less.

ENGINE OPERATION PROBLEMS

Todays engines are designed to operate with petroleum fuel. Neat biodiesel and higher percentage biodiesel blends can cause a variety of engine performance problems including:

* Fuel filter plugging,
* Injector coking (carbon deposits),
* Piston ring sticking and breaking,
* Elastomer seal swelling and hardening/cracking, and
* Severe engine lubricant degradation.

Studies found injectors and pumps failing at around 50,000 miles with neat biodiesel. There is little information on the use of biodiesel with engine durability over the mileage and operating conditions of heavy-duty diesel engines.

STORAGE and HANDLING

* Long-term storage problems occur from the poor oxidation stability of biodiesel fuels.
* Biodiesel fuel at low temperatures can thicken and plug fuel filters.
* Biodiesel is subject to microbial growth causing operation problems, fuel system corrosion and premature fuel filter plugging.

EMISSIONS

There is little negative to say about biodiesel emissions, except studies found increased nitrous oxide (Nox) emissions with higher concentrations of biodiesel.

BIODIESEL EFFECT ON DIESEL OIL

Biodiesel fuel is very hard on your engine lubricant (oil). The following detrimental effects are noted when concentrations of biodiesel exceed 5%:

* Fuel begins to dilute the oil resulting in a viscosity reduction
* Increased sludge and varnish formation
* Depletion of alkalinity reserve in the oil indicated by total base number (TBN) decrease
* Certain metals such as copper and lead leached from bearings due to biodiesel fuel in the lubricant Oil filter plugging from sludge

As a result, most diesel manufacturers recommend cutting their recommended oil drain interval in half when using biodiesel fuel.

I am an independent AMSOIL Direct Jobber in Quinlan, TX. My wife, Kris, runs a CURVES in town and my daughter is an excellent student in high school.

I have a love affair with all diesel trucks. As a national claims adjuster for 25 yrs, I had driven thousands of miles every year, most of them were spent looking for oil change shops. A church friend told me about AMSOIL’s 25,000 mile diesel oils, filters and additives. I used them and I’ve been a believer ever since. Using AMSOIL saves me at least $300.00 a year in vehicle maintenance.

“This article is brought to you by Gus Woltmann”.

Global Warming:

How to help reduce Global Warming by using Biodiesel

Biodiesel and the Kyoto Protocol

I thought I would chat about some aspects affecting making biodiesel.

The Kyoto Protocol goes by a number of aliases: The Kyoto Treaty, The Kyoto Accord, or Kyoto Protocol to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change.

It does not stand alone but is actually an More…amendment to a larger body of work by the United Nations on climate change. The larger body of work is a treaty on managing environmental change by reducing emissions of greenhouse gases. It came into being in 1992 at a summit in Rio de Janeiro, but since it is a treaty and does not hold countries accountable to make any changes, an amendment was added to it, called a protocol, to help nations take action in response to the treaty. The goal is to stabilize the amount and concentration of greenhouse gases in the atmosphere.

Since then, the Kyoto Protocol has eclipsed the treaty itself in terms of assumed effectiveness and controversy. Countries who choose to ratify the Kyoto Protocol are committing to the reduction of six greenhouse gas emissions including carbon monoxide, or developing measures to deal with those commitments if they cannot fill them.

There were two conditions for the Kyoto Protocol to enter into force. The first condition was that not fewer than 55 participants in the convention need to ratify the protocol. This was reached on May 23, 2002 when Iceland ratified the protocol. The second condition was that countries who participated in producing a leased 55% of the total carbon dioxide emissions for 1990 needed to ratify the protocol as well. Russia’s ratification on November 18, 2004 met the second condition needed to put the Kyoto Protocol into force. 90 days after the conditions were met, on February 16th 2005, the Kyoto Protocol entered into force.

The United States and Australia have not ratified the Kyoto Protocol. In spite of that, 157 nations have ratified the protocol, which represents 61% of global greenhouse gas production.

The legally binding protocol calls for countries to reduce their greenhouse gas emissions by an average of 5.2%, compared to the emissions produced in 1990. While the average is 5.2% different countries have different targets to aim for: Japan needs to reduce its emissions by 6%, Australia by 8%, the US by 7%, and Iceland by 10%. The reduction needs to affect the following greenhouse gases:

* carbon dioxide

* methane

* nitrous oxide

* sulfur hexafluoride

* HFCs

* PFCs

Countries who exceed these targets earn “credits” that they can sell to other countries that are not yet able to meet those targets. Credits are also earned by countries with large forested regions that turned carbon dioxide into oxygen. So countries who can quickly exceed emissions standards or who can create Kyoto Protocol forest areas have financial incentive to do so.

Cleaner, breathable air, a clearer sky, and a reduction in global warming are noble pursuits. So why has the Kyoto Protocol received so much controversy and attention and has not been ratified by everyone?

Objections and criticisms

There are a number of objections and criticisms to the Kyoto Protocol. Here are some of them:

* By 2050, if the Kyoto Protocol is successful, the global warming trend will be reduced by one third to one half of a degree annually. Unless other changes are made, Kyoto Protocol will be ineffective at reducing global warming in a largely measurable way.

* Both the United States and Australia have not ratified the protocol because of concerns over the economic ramifications resulting from sweeping changes that need to be made by industries. Other countries, like Canada, have ratified the protocol but with a lot of national controversy for the same reason.

* Credits earned from planting a ‘Kyoto Protocol Forest’ sound like a great idea except that the first 10 years of a new forest tends to produce more carbon dioxide than it reduces, because new forests help to release carbon dioxide that is locked in the ground.

* China, who is the second-largest greenhouse gas emitter in the world is exempt from ratifying the Kyoto protocol or being bound to it because it does not belong to a specific class of countries: ones who were producing excessive greenhouse gases during the growth in industry that the UN feels contributed to current concentrations. In fact, China’s usage is on the rise, increasing 40% between 1990 and 2003.

* Because of the variety of credit-selling opportunities as well as responsibilities to share knowledge with non-industrialized countries, some people see the Kyoto Protocol as a global social movement to spread wealth from the “have” countries to the “have-not” countries instead of effectively addressing climate change.

* As well, the law of supply and demand suggests that a reduction in fossil fuel usage by industrialized nations will lead to a reduction in overall price for fossil fuels, allowing non-industrialized nations, who are not bound by the Kyoto Protocol, to burn more fossil fuels at a cheaper price without any restrictions.

* Lastly, critics say that the Kyoto Protocol only addresses the problem with an immediate, short-term solution. Critics suggest that the Kyoto Protocol, or something like it, needs to address greater issues such as population explosion which has a huge effect on global warming.

Who wins?

If the Kyoto Protocol is successful in reducing greenhouse gas emissions, we will all win with a reduction in global warming. But there are others who will win in a different way:

* Kyoto Protocol measurements are based on emissions produced in 1990 and ratifying countries are measured against that number as a benchmark. Russia, however, because of its collapse will easily meet its 1990 number, and its benchmark is set at 0%. This means that it should constantly generate credits which can be purchased by other countries. This means that reactionary spending by other countries will push millions of dollars to Russia.

* The Kyoto Protocol also requires industrialized nations to provide information and support to non-industrialized nations attempting to make leaps and bounds in technology and power generation. So countries like the United States will be expected to provide assistance and support to countries like India and China who both have a lot of people and are struggling to become industrialized nations. In both cases, by supporting the Kyoto Protocol, they receive assistance but have no parameters in which to operate once they do achieve industrialization.

Alternative Energy:

Efforts to find affordable replacements to current vehicle fuel choices, biodiesel has quickly become one of the leading alternatives

Biodiesel is considered a renewable eco-friendly resource derived from vegetable oil or animal fats. Once the vegetable oil or animal fat is processed it becomes a combustible material, like the petroleum-based diesel currently used today in many vehicles. In fact, it is used daily around the world, and is rapidly becoming the main stay of a lot of family budgets already with ever increasing popularity.

Biodiesel can and is being produced from rapeseed, soybeans, algae, palm oil, hemp, lard, and mustard seed, in fact any vegetable oil source, and yes even waste vegetable oil, fish oil and any animal fats. In fact, the August 2005 edition of National Geographic reported one biodiesel user who got his waste vegetable oil free from a local potato chip shop and spent eight dollars a month to turn it into biodiesel, which as we know is common practice now in many places.

Some of the benefits of biodiesel include:

* Biodiesel is an excellent way to use the vegetable oil and animal fats produced today, solving the hugely potential problem of waste used products otherwise disposed of badly and the past problems that caused.

* Biodiesel is biodegradable on the land or in water.

* Biodiesel is nontoxic

* Biodiesel can be safer in accidents because it has a much higher flash point (300° Fahrenheit) than regular diesel or gasoline, and is considered a non-hazardous material.

* Biodiesel is a better solvent, so it cleans engines that have been dirtied and stained, by long-term use of regular petroleum diesel.

* Biodiesel can be used right now in any concentration with current petroleum diesel engines, making the transfer from one to the other very easy. However, older petroleum diesel engines may experience a higher degradation of seals and gaskets which can easily be rectified.

* Biodiesel usage dramatically reduces carbon monoxide emissions and carbon dioxide emissions.

* Biodiesel reduces sulfur emissions by 100% (because it does not contain sulfur), which will help contribute to the Kyoto protocol mandate of reducing sulfur emissions.

Proponents say it may replace the fossil fuels used today to power vehicles. But it still has a ways to go:

* Biodiesel just like regular diesel tends to gel at temperatures that are very low, but this can also be rectified with additives.

* Biodiesel is more expensive to produce by the Gas Companies right now than other fuels currently in use (although rising costs in fossil fuel production could outstrip this problem shortly).

* Biodiesel will require a lot of vegetable oil and animal fat to meet the demand and critics suggest that land use dedicated to filling the need will be astronomical and largely an inefficient use of land in supporting the demand.

* The EPA reports that American restaurants produce 300,000,000 gallons of waste cooking oil every year and although biodiesel can be produced from it, in the past it went to producing soaps etc, but the cost of collecting it has caused Biodieselers to celebrate because a lot of them are happy to collect it for free.

There is a lot of support in the potential of biodiesel eventually helping to replace fossil fuels. In order to generate an accurate calculation on whether it’s a viable alternative or not there are a lot of things that need to be taken into consideration. Check out my new book ‘The Secrets of Biodiesel’ and really get a handle on this.

Biodiesel is not cost effective today because it is not produced in such a large-scale. If it were produced on a larger scale, it may have a greater effect on price. To use a different example, it costs more-per-car to produce only one or two cars than it costs to produce 10 cars, or a hundred cars, or thousand cars. (This is why Henry Ford is hailed as a genius of the production industry, because he reduced car prices by creating an assembly line). So once the scale of biodiesel is ramped up, the cost will be more effective.

The cost of biodiesel has become very affordable as a way to fuel cars and heat homes of our individual Biodieselers, however replacing the current processing plants that take oil and turn it into fuel may be so high that it is prohibitive and asking drivers to switch vehicles or swap engines may not be an alternative for everyone. So clearly, there will need to be a “phasing in” effect in order to increase biodiesel or other bio-fuels so greatly reducing the stranglehold of petroleum-based fuels.

Another thing to consider is the social cost. While many people do have the best intentions in mind to reduce emissions and waste and improve on their use of fossil fuels, people still make decisions based on their own personal impact: how much money and time will they save? There may be lots of people that they’re concerned about the ecology, but there are so many more people concerned about whether they can afford to make the transition. Until biodiesel becomes the cheaper choice, the general public will not make the transition.

Facts and Rumours

Our Trash

What should we do with our trash? Should we burn it or should we store it in a landfill? Two reasons why storing our trash in a landfill is a better solution but the Third solution is best:

1. Landfill waste creates methane which could (eventually) be harnessed as an energy source.

2. Burning waste releases it into the atmosphere while keeping waste in a landfill site keeps it relatively contained. Neither one is ideal but scientists are more likely to find a way to help reduce the toxic effects of waste that is relatively contained in a landfill site than waste that has dispersed thickly into the atmosphere through burning.

3. Recycle like crazy, it cleans and heals and saves on resources even creating jobs at home.

Life Adapts

Greenhouse gas emissions are expected to increase the temperature in the world by between 2.5 degrees Fahrenheit to 10 degrees Fahrenheit. That sounds like a lot… but it takes place over the next 100 years!

Over the past century, humans have adapted to a variety of changes in our environment and if you were to take a turn of the century homesteader and plunk them down in a car the middle of New York, they wouldn’t last more than two minutes! But gradual changes in our environment are much easier to adapt to. We simply expect things to happen faster than our forefathers did. While a 2.5 to 10 degree rise in the next year might be hard to take, spread over time we will barely notice the change. Ever see the movie Jurassic Park? It may have been a fictional movie but it wasn’t fair in one concept: Life will find a way to survive in spite of the environment.

Affordability and availability

Energy analysts can often jump on the bandwagon and scare people into thinking that we are running out of oil. The only effect this has is to raise oil prices as people become concerned and the threat of a reduce supply increases demand.

But we are not running out of oil anytime soon. Oil sands (or tar sands) and bitumen are two alternative ways to extract oil from the ground. Again, critics suggest that this is impractical since the expense is too high, well it’s that very expense that makes it possible and profitable, and as we all know if there is a ‘Buck’ in it they’ll find away.

But your grandmother was right about this when she said “necessity is the mother of invention.” And that truth applies explicitly in this case. Assuming we run out of free-flowing oil currently in the ground, everyone (critics including) will be amazed and surprised how quickly a method is discovered to extract oil from oil sands and bitumen. Sure, the science may not be there now, but when billions of people are waiting at home to fuel their cars and get to work, and the economy is on the verge of collapse because no one can drive anywhere or work or buy things, you can be sure that the scientists will burn the figurative midnight oil to find a solution.

The same principle will work for other alternative fuel measures. Assuming, just a few years down the road, we run out of free-flowing oil and oil developed from tar sands, scientists will once again burn the midnight oil and discovered that an alternative like biodiesel or ethanol can be produced efficiently.

For Biodieselers once the Genie is out of the bottle and now we make our own fuel very cheaply why would we ever go back?

Although this sounds philosophical, humanity has an uncanny way of meeting problems head-on and addressing them through incredible scientific discoveries… but only when there is a real need.

Tips

Save money and energy around your home:

In the laundry room

Use energy efficient washers and dryers and unless you have children who like to play in the mud, you really don’t need to use anything more than the “economy” cycle on your washing machine, along with cold water, to still get nice, clean clothes. And instead of drying your clothes in a dryer, take an idea from your grandmother’s bag of tricks and hang your clothes to dry. No fabric softener can compare to the smell of air-dried clothes!

In the car

With fuel prices on the rise, you need to count the cost before you go out. Got an overdue movie you need to bring back to the rental store? With fuel prices what they are today, it might be cheaper to keep it for an extra day and pay the fine than to get in your car and drive there. You will also want to group projects together before you go as this will help you from making several trips in a day.

In the kitchen

Composting has numerous benefits and does not take up a lot of room in your backyard. Properly maintained compost does not smell and it can quickly produce dark, nutrient-rich material to spread around your garden. Here are some of the benefits of composting:

* You will reduce the amount of trash bags you bring to the curb. With many cities moving to a bag restriction or a pay-per-bag surcharge, composting can typically cut your trash by a third or even a half!

* Compost produces thick, dark material that is nutrient-rich. If you love to garden, or even if you have some potted plants you would like to invigorate, composting will help revive your greenery.

* Composting is quick! In a properly managed compost pile, you can expect to turn today’s kitchen scraps into nutrient-rich material in a matter of months.

* Composting does not take up a lot of room. You can purchase composters at home improvement stores at a reasonable cost and they are fairly small; usually two feet square and 3 or 4 feet tall.

* Composting does not take a lot of work. Dump it in. Turn it periodically. Spread it on your garden. It is easy!

* Composting is affordable. What you spend in a composter you will probably save in not having to buy fertilizer or extra garbage bags.

* Composting can also get rid of newspaper and other non-glossy papers: tear them into smaller strips and dump them in, too!

So how do you compost?

1. Get yourself a composter from a home improvement store. Expect to spend $25 to $50, which you will save in the future by not having to buy fertilizer or extra garbage bags, or better still make your own from old lumber or a scraped pallet.

2. Put the composter in your backyard and put about six inches of sticks in the bottom. The sticks will create an air pocket in the bottom of the composter, since compost needs air to help it compost the material.

3. Get a small garbage can with a lid to put in your kitchen under your sink or somewhere convenient.

4. Alternate kitchen scraps (Green Matter) with dried material, like leaves you might rake up in the autumn (brown matter). These layers help keep the moisture at the optimal level and reduce the smell.

5. Periodically turn the compost with a shovel to help get air into it, which will aid in the decomposition.

6. Within a few months you should be able to open a small trapdoor on the bottom of your composter and pull out rich, dark soil-like material, smelling beautiful, to work into your garden.

New Ideas

Win Wenger, a man who operates a think-tank and spends a lot of time thinking about thinking, has come up with a solution he has posted on his website: winwenger.com

He suggests an excellent solution for dealing with and profiting from radioactive waste from nuclear power generating facilities.

His suggestion is to use the radioactive rods, which are no longer suitable to create nuclear power, but which still generate heat, to heat up water to run turbines. Of course, the turbines turn and produce electricity.

Thus, nuclear power generating stations would produce power, then the radioactive cores, when no longer useful there, would be brought to a secondary station where they would be used to heat water to produce more power!

“This article is brought to you by Gus Woltmann”.

What kind of difference can the use biodiesel make when it comes
to changing the world for the better? Perhaps the biggest impact of
the use of biodiesel fuel instead of just plain diesel is on the
human health and the environment.

One of the biggest differences that biodiesel make is with regards
to smog. Using biodiesel actually reduces smog. Both unburned
hydrocarbons and nitrogen oxides in diesel fuel account for most of
the particulates in air pollution. When you use biodiesel product
or homemade biodiesel there is a substantial reduction of unburned
hydrocarbons and if you are using a blend that is right for your
machine. Tests that have been conducted according to EPA
regulations have shown that the hydrocarbon exhaust emissions that
biodiesel are half that of that measured for diesel fuel.

Can biodiesel make more energy? Unlike the burning of fossil fuels,
the burning biodiesel fuels actually gives back more energy to the
environment that it takes. Lifecycle studies of biodiesel
production show that for every unit of fossil energy it takes to
manufacture fossil fuel, 3.2 units of energy are gained. This kind
of lifecycle study examines the impact during all phases of
biodiesel production including its transportation, production and
distribution to the biodiesel fuel customer.

Can biodiesel make a difference when it comes to reducing the
effects of global warming? The answer is yes. The overall lifecycle
emissions of carbon dioxide (a major greenhouse gas) from biodiesel
are 78% lower than the overall carbon dioxide emissions from
petroleum diesel fuel!

Can biodiesel make a difference when it comes to reducing acid
rain? Once again the answer is very positive. The overall lifecycle
emissions of sulfur oxides (major components of acid rain) from
biodiesel are 8% lower than overall sulfur oxides emissions from
regular diesel fuel. It’s a start.

Can biodiesel make a difference when it comes to producing acid
rain? The overall lifecycle production of waste water from
biodiesel production is 79.0% lower than overall production of
wastewater from diesel fuel. To put it another way, petroleum
diesel makes roughly five times as much wastewater flow than
biodiesel can make.

Can biodiesel make a difference when it comes to lung cancer and
asthma? Scientific research confirms that biodiesel exhaust is less
harmful to humans then diesel fuel exhaust because lacks aromatic
compounds. The purer the biodiesel fuel is the less likely it is to
create the cancer causing compounds polycyclic aromatic
hydrocarbons. Most of the poisonous compounds common to diesel
exhaust are reduced by 75 to 85 percent by using biodiesel fuel.
Biodiesel is also easier on the lung because it reduces the
emission of the types of particulate matter that cause asthma and
other lung disorders by about 47 percent.

Additionally biodiesel make less soot. Studies have shown that
biodiesel reduces the total amount of particulate matter soot in
bus tailpipe exhaust by 83.6%. Soot is the heavy black smoke
portion of the petroleum diesel fuel exhaust that consists of 100%
carbon. It has been suggested that diesel soot produces cancer.

How can you use biodiesel to make a difference? Burning just a 2%
biodiesel blend in on-road vehicle that usually takes diesel fuel
will curtail all kinds of harmful emissions. Annually this one
action has the potential to reduce poisonous carbon monoxide
emissions by more than 35 million pounds, reduce ozone forming
hydrocarbon emissions by almost 4 million pounds, reduce hazardous
diesel particulate emissions by almost 3 million pounds and reduce
acid rain-causing sulfur dioxide emissions by more than 3 million
pounds. That’s a big difference!

“This article is brought to you by Gus Woltmann”.

You might have heard a lot about biodiesel. Biodiesel is diesel than can power up your car that is made from vegetable oils and other natural sources. It does not come from the regular crude oil that usually has to be imported from oil-producing countries.

Biodiesel can be considered a new technology, taking into account all the years consumers have had to settle for traditional diesel. Using biodiesel for your car has many advantages:

1. Biodiesel is not harmful to the environment. Unlike its counterpart, a car using biodiesel produces fewer emissions. If a vehicle uses traditional diesel, the vehicle emits black, stinky smoke. With biodiesel, the smoke becomes very clean indeed.

2. Biodiesel may not require an engine modification. Some cars can take advantage of biodiesel without the need to undergo engine alterations. Some mix 20% biodiesel with regular diesel. Doing so enables the car to benefit from the good points of biodiesel without the hassle.

3. Biodiesel is cheap. You can even make biodiesel in your backyard. If your engine can work with biodiesel fuel alone, then you really need not go to the gas station to buy fuel. You can just manufacture some for your own personal use.

4. Biodiesel can make the vehicle perform better. It is noted that biodiesel has a cetane number of over 100. Cetane number is used to measure the quality of the fuel’s ignition. If your fuel has a high cetane number, you can be sure that what you get is a very easy cold starting coupled with a low idle noise.

5. Biodiesel can make your car last longer. Because of the clarity and the purity of biodiesel, you can be sure it will not have too many impurities to harm your car. It is actually more lubrication. A car’s power output is unaffected by this type of diesel.

6. Biodiesel reduces the environmental effect of a waste product. Because biodiesel is made out of waste products itself, it does not contribute to nature’s garbage at all. Biodiesel can be made out of used cooking oils and lards. So instead of throwing these substances away, the ability to turn them into biodiesel becomes more than welcome.

7. Biodiesel is energy efficient. If the production of biodiesel is compared with the production of the regular type, producing the latter consumes more energy. Biodiesel does not need to be drilled, transported, or refined like petroleum diesel. Producing biodiesel is easier and is less time consuming.

8. Biodiesel is produced locally. A locally produced fuel will be more cost efficient. There is no need to pay tariffs or similar taxes to the countries from which oil and petroleum diesel are sourced. Every country has the ability to produce biodiesel.

Biodiesel is surely a viable fuel alternative. Moreover, it is also a sustainable fuel. Using biodiesel not only helps maintain our environment, it also helps in keeping the people around us healthy.

The production of biodiesel all over the world is now being looked upon favorably. In Europe, many biodiesel stations have been set up already. There is also a move to convert or make cars compatible with biodiesel fuel in the near future.

Biodiesel can surely change the way vehicles are manufactured and used. It is surely the best substitute right now, and everyone should consider ways to take advantage of the benefits of biodiesel.

“This article is brought to you by Gus Woltmann”.

In the wake of ever rising oil prices, it is no wonder alternative energies have finally become a serious issue on the world stage. Amongst the energy alternatives available, arguably one of the most important and sought after is biodiesel, or alkyl esters. Biodiesel is considered the alternative fuel of the future, since it can be synthesized from renewable organic oils as opposed to fossil fuels. Biodiesel is gaining popularity amongst many home handymen due to its ease of synthesis, and for anyone who is interested in not only saving money on ever increasing fuel prices but also saving the environment, making biodiesel at home is an option that is available to you.

What exactly is biodiesel?

While biodiesel was first synthesized over a century ago, before Rudolph Diesel invented his internal combustion engine that ran on peanut oil, it was only recently that the fuel industry and people at large have taken serious interest in biodiesel as an alternative fuel. Biodiesel is the product of the reaction between alcohol and oil in the presence of a catalyst. This reaction essentially involves the breaking of the triglyceride backbone of the oil, which is glycerol, and replacing it with an alcohol group. The main products of this reaction are alkyl esters, or biodiesel; and glycerin. This entire reaction is facilitated by mixing the oil of choice with the alcohol of choice, usually ethanol or methanol, in a large container with a means of heating the mixture as well as mixing it at the same time.

How can biodiesel be made at home?

The first step to making biodiesel at home is understanding the process. Once you understands the facets of production, then you need to find out if you have a source of either waste kitchen grease or raw vegetable oil that is cheaper than the present diesel prices. It shouldn’t be difficult to find oil to convert into biodiesel even if you have to buy it fresh because petroleum prices are exceedingly high today.

The first step to a viable production process of biodiesel at home after you have looked into the availability of raw materials, such as vegetable or animal grease of some sort, methanol or ethanol, and a catalyst, then it is time to go about building a biodiesel reactor. Do not be intimidated, it is a very simple construct that anyone with basic tooling skills should be able to build over a weekend or two at the most. For the biodiesel reactor, you will need a large container to act as the body of the reactor, a mechanism to mix the mixture of oil and reactants, and a nozzle preferably at the bottom to make separation easy. Along with these components, installing a misting mechanism at the top of the reactor to facilitate the washing step of production will save you from having to use a separate reactor to preform the washing step. As far as a mixing mechanism is concerned, it is a good idea to use a simple water pump that is attached to the bottom of the reactor and then spills back over the top of the reactor to cause a circular flow of reactants that will thoroughly mix the mixture to facilitate a complete reaction. Also, installing a heating mechanism is also in order. The heating mechanism can simply be a water heater electrical heating element which you have installed in the bottom of the reactor. There are an abundance of resources concerning home biodiesel reactors available on the internet, and with a simple search you will be well on your way to tried and tested plans.

The process essentially involves dumping the oil along with the catalysts and alcohol into the reactor. You then will turn on the mixing mechanism, and after the reactants have been thoroughly mixed, you will heat them with the water heater element. After a period of time, the glycerol will begin to fall out of solution. Once the glycerol begins to fall out, you should be able to pour it off into another container. Once the a batch of biodiesel is finished reacting, you will allow it to settle, then pour off the glycerol. Once the glycerol and biodiesel have been separated, you will turn on the washing mechanism which will essentially mist water over the surface of the biodiesel. This water will fall through the biodiesel picking up dissolved impurities until it reaches the bottom of the reactor. Once washed, you will again allow the biodiesel/wash water mixture to settle, after which the wash water is poured off. Your completed biodiesel is ready for use.

Why is biodiesel a superior energy alternative?

Along with being cheaper than petrodiesel at today’s market prices, biodiesel also has some special characteristics which make it a promising alternative for future energy needs. First of all, since biodiesel can be synthesized from organic oils which are completely renewable as well as ethanol of plant and bacterial origin, biodiesel is a completely renewable energy resource. Second, biodiesel has a neutral carbon dioxide blueprint. A carbon dioxide blueprint is the net amount of CO2 emitted into the atmosphere due to the combustion of a given fuel. All fossil fuels lead to a net increase in environmental CO2 because when petroleum is burned, it releases CO2 into the atmosphere which was sequestered millions of years ago. When biodiesel is burned, it releases no net CO2 into the atmosphere because the plants that form the oil that is used as feedstock for biodiesel production sequester the same amount of CO2 from the atmosphere that is then released when the biodiesel is burnt. In other words, biodiesel is the one of the only serious contenders for a sustainable clean source of energy that can protect the environmental future of mankind.

Biodiesel already promises to the be the fuel of the future. With many firms already constructing large scale algae oil plants, biodiesel will become readily available on the world market. By turning to biodiesel as opposed to petroleum products, we can not only save the environment, but can end many wars that are caused by the ever present need for control over the world’s oil supply.

“This article is brought to you by Gus Woltmann”.

There are all kinds of sites on the internet that advertise the
selling of biodiesel equipment but perhaps the safest place to shop
is at the national biodiesel board which is quite fussy about who
it lets advertise on its web site. On the national biodiesel board
web site you can find biodesiel suppliers, biodiesel plants and
suppliers of biodiesel equipment.

Here is a short list of companies that are known for selling
biodiesel equipment and that are approved by the national biodiesel
board.

B100 Supply – This company, which is located in Georgia, U.S.A.
provides all of the lab ware, pumps, safety equipment and chemicals
that are necessary for making homemade biodiesel or creating a SVO
conversion kit for you car.

Biodiesel Gear – Located in Illinois, this company produces cost
effective biodiesel p equipment and and all of the accessories
that you wil lneed to create your own homemade brew. They also
supply individual parts such as hoses and pumps to home brewers who
are attempting to design a one of a kind biodiesel processor.

Biodiesel Solutions – Located in Nevada, U.S., this is an engineering
company dedicated to supporting small-scale biodieselers in every
aspect of making their own fuel. This company also supplies
materials to biodiesel cottage industries and biodiesel plants.

BioFuels – Located in Argentina this company produces pressurized
steel units designed for individual or coop use. These fully
self-contained biodiesel processers will convert both virgin and
waste vegetable oil into home-made biodiesel.

Doctor Diesel – Located in California , this company specializes
in producing small-scale biodiesel making equipment and parts for
the hobbyist or serious home brewer. It is also a good site to get
advice on making your own biodiesel.

Energea – Located in Austria this company manufacturers a”
Continuous Trans Esterification Reactor” This is a turn-key,
container sized biodiesel processer that turns any kind of waste
oil into biodiesel.

GHP-Biodiesel – This German company sells small-scale biodiesel
equipment for home brewers.

GreenFuels – Located in the United Kingdom, this company produces
small and biodiesel equipment for small and medium sized biodiesel
plants and companies.

Home Biodiesel – Located in California this company supplies
small-scale equipment for home brewers of biodiesel fuel.

Olympia Green Fuels -Located in Washington, this company sells a
modular kit for making biodiesel at home. These kits produce
biodiesel from both fresh and waste vegetable oil. These processors
will convert both fresh and waste vegetable oil into a washed and
polished biodiesel fuel that is capable of meeting the quality
standards of the ASTM.

Planet Biodiesel – Located in Colorado this company supplies the
information and products you need to make your own biodiesel fuel.

Utah Biodiesel Supply – This Utah company carries a large selection
of biodiesel home brewing supplies, equipment, literature, soap,
bumper stickers, decals, and more.

“This article is brought to you by Gus Woltmann”.

Biodiesel is a clean burning substitute for petroleum based diesel fuel. Biodiesel is made of vegetable oil. Most modern diesel burning engines can use Biodiesel with few or no modifications. Biodiesel is making inroads at the gas pump too where it can be found more and more as an option when it’s time to fill up the tank. But, how is Biodiesel made?

To make, or manufacture, Biodiesel you must first start with raw materials. The raw materials needed in the production of Biodiesel are a small amount of Methanol and a ready supply of vegetable product. One of the most common vegetables used in the production of Biodiesel is corn, although depending on the geographic location of the manufacturing facility many other plants are used as well (rapeseed, soybeans, flaxseed, etc.). The first step is to use the raw vegetable product to make vegetable oil. Vegetable oil by itself will not be what you need to power a car, from here it has to be processed into Biodiesel.

The process for converting vegetable oil into Biodiesel is sometimes called ester interchange. To complete this process the vegetable oil has to be combined with a smaller amount of Methanol and then put in the presence of a small quantity of an alkaline catalyst (for example, .5% to 1% sodium hydroxide). Vegetable oil is made up of so-called triglycerides, which is a compound of the trivalent alcohol glycerin with three fatty acids. The goal of ester interchange is to separate, or detach the glycerin molecule from the three fatty acids and replace it with three methanol molecules. This process then yields roughly 90% Biodiesel and 10% of a glycerin byproduct. The glycerin byproduct can be used in a number of other chemical processes for different industries. There are also studies being done to see if the glycerin byproduct, since it is vegetable based, can be used as feed for animals. This makes the production of Biodiesel produce virtually no waste products at all.

The production of Biodiesel is done in a large manufacturing facility like those being built around the world to take advantage of this relatively new fuel source. These facilities are built much like their oil refinery cousins with the intent of putting out hundreds of thousands, if not millions, of gallons of fuel. Unlike the manufacturing process of standard mineral based fuel, Biodiesel can also be manufactured in smaller home or farm units, or kits. The process remains the same but on a much smaller scale. There is also the option of making Biodiesel at home from used vegetable oil gathered from restaurants and delis. To achieve this the oil first has to go through another process to clean it of any impurities.

One of the main benefits of Biodiesel is that it burns cleaner than standard mineral based fuel. An additional benefit is that it also pollutes less during the process of making Biodiesel than it does during the manufacture of standard mineral based fuel like diesel and gasoline. Cleaner to burn and cleaner to make, Biodiesel is truly a viable alternative energy source.

“This article is brought to you by Gus Woltmann”.

Biodiesel production, distribution, and use, as with many emerging alternative energies, has been aided in large part by recent government incentives making biodiesel fuel production and distribution more attractive. These tax incentives put money back in the pockets of biodiesel producers who, presumably, pass the benefits on to you, the consumer, with lower biodiesel prices.

Not just any biodiesel is eligible for tax incentives. The definition of biodiesel fuel, as it’s used for tax purposes, is “monoalkyl esters of long chain fatty acids”. Biodiesel production companies seeking any of these credits must ensure that they are making biodiesel fuel that meets the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) requirements for registration of fuels and fuel additives as described in the Clean Air Act, as well as requirements put forth by the American Society of Testing and Materials.

All companies, whether a biodiesel production company or not, that are selling or using biodiesel may qualify for the Biodiesel and Ethanol (VEETC) Tax Credit, on their income taxes. There are two such types of credit.

the Straight Biodiesel Credit (considered a “general business credit” by the IRS) – the biodiesel in question must not have been mixed with any petroleum-based diesel fuel, and the company itself must be the biodiesel production company making it;

the Biodiesel Mixture Credit – the biodiesel in question must contain only biodiesel fuel and petroleum-based diesel, with absolutely no kerosene added, and the company itself must be the biodiesel production company making it.

Additionally, for either tax credit on biodiesel cost, one of the following criteria must also be met; the biodiesel production company actually uses the biodiesel itself as a fuel; the biodiesel production company sells the biodiesel retail which is then used in the fuel tank of the buyer.

The tax credits on Straight Biodiesel are equal to $1 per gallon of agri-biodiesel and $0.50 per gallon of waste grease biodiesel. The tax credits on Biodiesel Mixtures are $0.01 (a penny) per percentage point of agri-biodiesel and $0.005 (half-a-cent) per percentage point of waste grease biodiesel.

That is, unless the amount of credit approved to taxpaying biodiesel companies applying for the credit in a given year exceeds the annual cap of $1.5 million, in which case the Department of Revenue will prorate credits to biodiesel production companies accordingly.

These tax credits, however, are currently temporary, and set to expire in 2008 – an added incentive to get started now on that biodiesel production company of your own that you’ve been dreaming about. There’s literally no time to waste.

Another Federal Tax Credit, the Small Agri-Biodiesel Producer Credit (Section 1345: Energy Policy Act of 2005), grants $0.10 per gallon on up to 15 million gallons to small agri-biodiesel production facilities producing less than 60 million gallons per year.

“This article is brought to you by Gus Woltmann”.

With the current damage being done to the environment it only makes sense that we need a better way to operate vehicles without the use of fossil fuels. It is always a good idea to take a look of all the possible options available to us in order to break down th