I was looking online to get a general price on meths from various DIY places around here, and was shocked at the price of the stuff. Cheap it ain't! The cheapest is £2.99 from Screwfix, and thats just for 500ml (less than a pint). I have been using some ethanol (triangia stove alcohol), but thats almost gone, so where do You all get Yours?
I use Methanol for priming which you can pick up from bulk sellers for about £1.00 a litre. However, it is poisonous and should be used with care.
Just looked at that, and seems You can get it online. I've been using this though and it's cheaper and cleaner than meths Fire Dragon Bio-Ethanol Spirit Fuel 1 Litre | Ultimate Outdoors Still dear though!
I've found it at Home Bargains for £1.75 for 500ml. My local independent hardware store has it for £2.99 for a little when they're open for business. If anyone knows of a cheaper source, please tell us! I built up a stock of it when Home Bargains had it for £1.25 for 500ml but that won't last forever
@ColinG I've never seen Meths in our local Home Bargains, but might try one of the bigger branches. Cheers!
I just checked online and although it might not be advisable, it would be cheaper to use panel wipe or brake cleaner as a pre-heater! You might also burn your eyebrows off into the bargain!
They don't always have it but I make a point of checking the decorating shelves whenever we pop in to buy catfood or cheap tat!
@David Shouksmith ah I see. Although I like a barbecue, I've never used that fluid, so not sure what was in it!
Yes, it's expensive stuff in the UK., and that is because it is heavily taxed, just like petrol and diesel are, I have heard that it's much cheaper in mainland Europe. Don't use painter's meths because it will blacken everything. Ironmonger/hardware stores used to store meths in a tank and folk could bring in their own flasks and get them filled just as they could do with paraffin/kerosene.
In Belgium we have a chain called ACTION (I think they are of Dutch origin). I buy bio-ethanol at roughly 1,5eu a liter. It has gone up! Used to be 1,3eu last year. I think Gary @redspeedster gets his in France. I am also still using up the remains of 20liter methanol I got for free many years ago....Don't like the stench.....but it was FREEEEEEE!!!
Yes, I got some 'methylated spirit' from Toolstation - about a fiver for 2 litres - and it had an odd smell to it and I suspect it was something called 'reclaimed solvent'. It actually worked OK for priming and wasn't at all smoky in use. Heaven knows what else was in there... Anyway, here's my supply of 'meths' - actually 'eths' because it's >70% ethanol and not adulterated by the addition of a small amount of methanol. I inherited this from Trevor (shagratork) via his son who was wondering how best to dispose of it. Naturally, being a good sort, I offered to take it off his hands and dispose of it for him - obviously by burning it off in very small amounts, which will take quite some time. The name and address of the supplier are given on the drum but it is marked as being filled in 2007 so whether they're still in business at that address I don't know. It's a 25 litre container and there are 17 litres left:- so my guess would be that Trevor managed to use the other 8 litres in 12 years. Somehow, I don't think I'll need to buy any meths for a good while yet...
I’ve never had to buy any myself as I’ve come home so often with a wee suppie in a bottle along with a lamp. But then I don’t light many lamps either.
In my area, its generally labelled as 'Spirit' and available from most hardware stores. Judging from the price and volatility, I'd suspect its mostly methanol and very little, if any, ethanol in it. Its about the equivalent of £2.7 per 3.5 litres here.
Get yourself a still, it's a great hobby and you can use it to pre heat lanterns as well. That's what I do
But surely 'what is said on this forum stays on this forum'......Great Idea, but the missus would draw the line on the Still idea!
