What Fuel?

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Omnimill

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What's the best fuel for Spirit burners? I have Methylated Spirits, Isopropyl Alcohol, Paraffin and Acetone in the workshop, which is best or should I use something else? It's for stirling/flame eater engines.

Thanks,

Vic.
 
I have been using denatured alcohol with great success. It burns cleaner than some of the others.
 

http://littlemachineshop.com/ gives this info/advise

Fuel for Stirling Engines

Our Stirling hot air engines are designed to burn alcohol.

WARNING: DO NOT USE GASOLINE, WHITE GAS, COLEMAN FUEL, OR ANY OTHER GASOLINE-TYPE FUELS IN THESE ENGINES. Talk about losing face!

You can use any of these fuels:

* Pure methanol (such as HEET brand gas-line antifreeze or its generic equivalent)--available in automotive supply stores
* Ethanol/methanol mixture ("denatured alcohol")--available in paint and hardware stores
* Pure ethanol (200 proof grain alcohol)--available in liquor stores and pharmacy supply houses (it's very expensive and could be put to much better use!)

Note: You can use Isopropanol (ISO-HEET or rubbing alcohol) but we do not recommend it because it burns with a very sooty flame.
 

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