Methilic Alcohol as a Cleaning Agent

[madox07]

Before doing something stupid, I thought I should ask. I am getting ready to distill some more grappa and plum brandy this year, so as a result of the process I will have methanol on my hands. Since this compound resulting as a side product cannot be consumed (going blind being the drunk's least of concerns) I was thinking of using it for leaning various tobacco related products. In the past I have given it away to the elders in my family, they sure like to use it as rubbing alcohol, but they have plenty, and I am sure to have left overs.

I am thinking, that since it comes out pretty pure even from the first run, to use it in order to clean lighter parts, such as butane nozzles, or maybe even disinfect parts in estate restorations. Now this just occurred to me, and I am not sure it is such a good idea. Is it pure enough? (it may be better than the general brand of rubbing alcohol one gets from the pharmacy) Can it do any damage, clog parts, or even damage stems? Ideas?

 

[frozenchurchwarden]

I am shocked that your relatives are still alive.

Methanol - Wikipedia

en.wikipedia.org

"Ingesting as little as 10 mL (0.34 US fl oz) of pure methanol can cause permanent blindness by destruction of the optic nerve."
"The median lethal dose is 100 mL (3.4 US fl oz), i.e., 1–2 mL/kg body weight of pure methanol.[28] The reference dose for methanol is 0.5 mg/kg in a day."

Toxicity is so high they set the safe daily limit so close to zero it may as well be zero.

I've heard Methanol is great for cleaning surfaces to a high degree of purity, no doubt it would be amazing for cleaning pipes, but you should be incredibly careful about handling (avoid fumes or contact with skin at all costs).

 

[cosmicfolklore]

Before doing something stupid, I thought I should ask. I am getting ready to distill some more grappa and plum brandy this year, so as a result of the process I will have methanol on my hands. Since this compound resulting as a side product cannot be consumed (going blind being the drunk's least of concerns) I was thinking of using it for leaning various tobacco related products. In the past I have given it away to the elders in my family, they sure like to use it as rubbing alcohol, but they have plenty, and I am sure to have left overs.

I am thinking, that since it comes out pretty pure even from the first run, to use it in order to clean lighter parts, such as butane nozzles, or maybe even disinfect parts in estate restorations. Now this just occurred to me, and I am not sure it is such a good idea. Is it pure enough? (it may be better than the general brand of rubbing alcohol one gets from the pharmacy) Can it do any damage, clog parts, or even damage stems? Ideas?

I used to clean my canoe with it. Takes river scum off of aluminum like a champ.

I’m pretty sure that rubbing alcohol is just as toxic to ingest. But, I’m not going to be suggesting people use it, just because…. YMMV

 

[Chasing Embers]

I’m pretty sure that rubbing alcohol is just as toxic to ingest. But, I’m not going to be suggesting people use it, just because…. YMMV

SPC uses denatured alcohol on their estates, think about that.?

Post in thread 'Estate Smell, What Is It?' Estate Smell, What Is It? :: Pipe Tobacco Discussion - https://pipesmagazine.com/forums/threads/estate-smell-what-is-it.39716/post-35344674

 

[cosmicfolklore]

SPC uses denatured alcohol on their estates, think about that.?

Post in thread 'Estate Smell, What Is It?' Estate Smell, What Is It? :: Pipe Tobacco Discussion - https://pipesmagazine.com/forums/threads/estate-smell-what-is-it.39716/post-35344674

One of the properties of alcahol that makes it such a great cleaner is that it dissipates so fast, just leaving behind the impurities from distillation.
I use denatured on my estate pipes as well, but i also rinse with water long after the alcohol has dissipated. Once again, YMMV depending on how you clean it.

 

[greeneyes]

This is one of those questions that gets asked over and over again.

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[frozenchurchwarden]

I used to clean my canoe with it. Takes river scum off of aluminum like a champ.

I’m pretty sure that rubbing alcohol is just as toxic to ingest. But, I’m not going to be suggesting people use it, just because…. YMMV

Isopropyl alcohol - Wikipedia

en.wikipedia.org

"Isopropyl alcohol, via its metabolites, is somewhat more toxic than ethanol, but considerably less toxic than ethylene glycol or methanol. Death from ingestion or absorption of even relatively large quantities is rare."

Handling rules for Isopropyl are basically "just don't drink it".
There's a reason most hand sanitizers use Isopropyl.

 

[cosmicfolklore]

Isopropyl alcohol - Wikipedia

en.wikipedia.org

"Isopropyl alcohol, via its metabolites, is somewhat more toxic than ethanol, but considerably less toxic than ethylene glycol or methanol. Death from ingestion or absorption of even relatively large quantities is rare."

Handling rules for Isopropyl are basically "just don't drink it".
There's a reason most hand sanitizers use Isopropyl.

Got it, but I’d wager, having been around a still or two, that the methel that he is talking about, is really low abv and diluted. It’s pulled from starts and stops, along with some of the mash. There is so little in there that bad bootleggers could just mix it in, and risk it. In its pure form, yeh, a sip and tits up. But, bad apple jack…. You’d just wish you were dead the next day. It’s also known as apple palsy. But, it wouldn’t kill you, right off anyways. There are dumbasses who still freeze distill ciders, just suffering through the nasty parts.

I mean, sure, it’d just be better to go buy some vodka for cleaning your pipes. That’s the smart thing. But, if you’re on deserted island with some starts and stops, hypothetically, ok…. but, be mindful.
But, really, just buy vodka.

 

[SmokeClouds]

I would not do it. The detrimental side effects are serious if something goes wrong. Vodka does the job and is affordable.

 

[sablebrush52]

One should always use the most toxic materials to clean any object you're going to put in your mouth and inhale through.

 

[lawdawg]

The answer about cleaning agents for pipes is an easy one these days...

warm water straight from the tap

Seriously, I used to be an "everclear" guy, but the warm water rinse is so much easier, and perhaps even more effective (or at least more efficient and equally effective). The conjecture that alcohol could likely be harsher on the briar makes sense too. Alcohol is a solvent, and could possibly have some impact on the oils etc. in the briar. Water, on the other hand, is pretty much benign.

 

[krizzose]

 

[frozenchurchwarden]

I'd love to live in a country where Vodka costs as much as Water.
The big advantage of Isopropyl is no matter where you are you won't be paying luxury tax on it.

 

[Bobby Bailey]

The answer about cleaning agents for pipes is an easy one these days...

warm water straight from the tap

Seriously, I used to be an "everclear" guy, but the warm water rinse is so much easier, and perhaps even more effective (or at least more efficient and equally effective). The conjecture that alcohol could likely be harsher on the briar makes sense too. Alcohol is a solvent, and could possibly have some impact on the oils etc. in the briar. Water, on the other hand, is pretty much benign.

You're might be right about the water versus the alcohol. But, water is also a solvent. it just dissolves different things.
I do general gunsmithing and build some custom rifles, On walnut, beech, and maple, alcohol is preferred over water for less havoc with the grain.
Just throwing that out, not saying you might not be right about briar.

 

[cosmicfolklore]

Before doing something stupid, I thought I should ask. I am getting ready to distill some more grappa and plum brandy this year, so as a result of the process I will have methanol on my hands. Since this compound resulting as a side product cannot be consumed (going blind being the drunk's least of concerns) I was thinking of using it for leaning various tobacco related products. In the past I have given it away to the elders in my family, they sure like to use it as rubbing alcohol, but they have plenty, and I am sure to have left overs.

I am thinking, that since it comes out pretty pure even from the first run, to use it in order to clean lighter parts, such as butane nozzles, or maybe even disinfect parts in estate restorations. Now this just occurred to me, and I am not sure it is such a good idea. Is it pure enough? (it may be better than the general brand of rubbing alcohol one gets from the pharmacy) Can it do any damage, clog parts, or even damage stems? Ideas?

Let is know how the plum brandy turns out!!!

 

[jpmcwjr]

You're might be right about the water versus the alcohol. But, water is also a solvent. it just dissolves different things.
I do general gunsmithing and build some custom rifles, On walnut, beech, and maple, alcohol is preferred over water for less havoc with the grain.
Just throwing that out, not saying you might not be right about briar.

Are you referring mainly to using something to raise the grain gently with those woods while in final stages of finishing the stock, etc.? Makes sense.

OTOH, I've never raised grain on briar- finished briar, as I am not a pipe maker- with very hot tap water on all manner of briar pipes.

 

[Bobby Bailey]

Primarily raising the grain, and staining. When doing repairs, water swells the wood too much. Many very old stocks were originally boned, compacting the grain. Water, of course, plays havoc with that.
There are times that water is the preferred method, even for guns.
All of this said, a briar pipe, I know, ain't a gunstock.

 

[Chasing Embers]

All of this said, a briar pipe, I know, ain't a gunstock

Wanna bet??

 

[Bobby Bailey]

LOL LOL
Is that how folks get that nic hit.

 

[Chasing Embers]

LOL LOL
Is that how folks get that nic hit.

Straight to the head.?