Oil Heaters and Veggy Oil

[briannh1234]

Winter is coming soon. It currently looks like we will have some relative cheap oil unitl the next election is over. However the thread "diesels and veggy oil" got me to thinking. Can veggy oil be used to power a furnace?

I'm thinking there's two types - new veggy oil and then the used veggy oil option. Obviously the used veggy oil would cost more up-front but I would like anyones opinion on both options.

Currently the furnace has been fine with both kerosene and K1 (which may be another name for kerosene.)

Thanks.
- Brian

 

[JB]

Re: Oil Heaters and Veggy Oil

I think well filtered used veggie oil or new veggie oil would work as a substitute for #2 fuel oil, but not for kerosene, which i think is #1 (K1) oil.

Viscosity would be the problem. That reminds me, most veggie oil needs to be warmed to some temp or higher to avoid congealment in cold weather.

Come to think of it, if you get it warm enough and filter it well bacon grease would sub for #2 oil.

 

[briannh1234]

Re: Oil Heaters and Veggy Oil

Ah yea - figured there was a reason I couldn't use it. The tank for my furnace is outside and in NH it can get kinda cold.

- Brian

 

[Bob_VT]

Re: Oil Heaters and Veggy Oil

We are stocking the Boss' house in biodiesel and there is talk of using it for our dealership heat too.

 

[Bondo]

Re: Oil Heaters and Veggy Oil

I Wish I could find someplace to Buy it,............

I'm just Too Busy to build a system to Make it,.......
Although I have done alittle Looking into it.........

Nothing is Free,.............
It either costs Money or Time.......
And I've got Neither...............

 

[lilmandavis]

Re: Oil Heaters and Veggy Oil

bio diesel is getting bigger and bigger. better buy some stock in it! ive converted three trucks to do it. i got them set up with simple inline warmers a high viscosity oil pump and its not that hard to get goin. like bondo said time+money=cheap gas. actully the first diesel ever developed ran on peanut oil. at the invention fair back in 1920 or so in germany. people flocked to the "diesel" tent because they thought it was selling french fries as it smelled like something was frying. food for thought. talk to your local mom and pop cafe. im sure they would be glad to give you thier used cooking oil. but after four or five trips, they start wondering how cheap this "new" fuel is and might start using it themselves. they also make heaters that burn used motor oil. those are great for shops! same principle. at a certain temp, almost any oil will combust.

 

[Bob_VT]

Re: Oil Heaters and Veggy Oil

A thought comes to mind.... why not just install a waste oil burner. No processing needs to be done.

For biodiesel a process needs to be accomplished however, for burning waste oil (used motor oil) no process required.

http://www.motherearthnews.com/DIY/1978_September_October/Mother_s_Waste_Oil_Heater

We built a small one about 20 years ago to heat a small shop. We did it just to see if we could and it worked. Used motor oil is easier to get than used veggy oil.

 

[jimr]

Re: Oil Heaters and Veggy Oil

the problems with a used oil burner for a residental application is
1 supply of fuel they burn about 1 gallon per hour and I know it will be hard to aquire for free because companies are now paying to pick it up. we currently get .30 per gallon.
2 needs tank to be kept warm not outside
3 needs constant supply of compressed air
4 LOUD
5 messy to clean and needs to be done at least once per year.