Safety aspects of alcohol for wood drying.

5/20/05, 9:52 PM #1

Al Crandall --NE of Indy--
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Safety aspects of alcohol for wood drying.

Al Crandall --NE of Indy--

>In a message recently posted by Gary G. lower on the board he mentioned people who had concerns with storing alcohol on their premises. Are there a lot of people who would not try this method because of concerns of fire or contact poisoning?

I wear latex gloves when using this method of drying, so that concern is not of great importance to me. Which leaves me with the flamability problem. I buy gasoline for my various small engines 10 gallons at a time. It is stored on a concrete floor in a garage with no ignition sources. I also store in the same vicinity up to 10 gallons of K-1 for a salamander heater. If neither of these hazards has found a way to self combust I see no reason to worry about 3 to 5 gallons of alcohol stored nearby. If lightening strikes, the conflagration from the gasoline will far exceed the alcohol. I welcome comments.

Re: Safety aspects of alcohol for wood drying.

5/21/05, 12:01 AM #2

Ron in Drums PA
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Re: Safety aspects of alcohol for wood drying.

Ron in Drums PA

>There is probably more alcohol in the liquor cabinet then there is in the wood shop.

Re: Safety aspects of alcohol for wood drying.

5/21/05, 1:42 AM #3

jeff jilg
Guest

Re: Safety aspects of alcohol for wood drying.

jeff jilg

>I'm pretty much using the same procedure for gas and the alcohol. The alcohol is getting stored/used in a 5 gallon bucket with a lid. The bucket is from the pool...used to have chlorine tabs in it. The seal is tight and I can't smell fumes.

I try to keep wood shavings to a 1/4 inch level at the start of each turning day. There is probably more danger of those catching fire than the volatiles!!

Re: Safety aspects of alcohol for wood drying.

5/21/05, 8:16 AM #4

GaryG in MD
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3,276 posts

Registered: 3/29/05

It's funny, Al, ...

GaryG in MD

>I've been asking myself the same question, even before seeing your post. There's no question that the alcohol soak sounds very attractive.

FWIW, I don't like gasoline or K-1 either -- I have an electric lawn mower and use a heat lamp to keep my feet warm. I have never liked volatiles, but I am much more concerned now because I have lost my sense of smell (a chronic condition, ongoing for over 3 years now) due, presumably, to severe allergies. I have lost my early-warning sensor. [OT - I would be interested in discussing this offline with anyone having a similar problem.]

I reread Dave Smith's article, considered the volume I would need, thought more about possible containers, etc., and decided that I might give it a try after all. The key, as I see it, is keeping it securely covered at all times. I'm not familiar with the kitty-litter pail that someone mentioned, but I'll check it out.

I read in an old thread that ethanol becomes explosive at a 3% mix in air. Maybe that's a lot, but it doesn't sound like it. It seems like it could be a concern if the soaking and drip drying is done in the basement with the furnace pilot. We have enough problems around here, already, with the gas company blowing up houses -- I don't need to create a new nuisance. [Speaking of which, I can't believe our furnace is still running on May 20 -- crazy cold Spring in MD.]

So I guess I'll go to HD tomorrow and buy a few gallons. For safety, I'll be working out in the shed. That won't be a problem in the winter because I do my turning outside too!

And yes, Ron, there's a lot more medicinal alcohol in the workshop -- it's my wine cellar -- that's why I have to turn outside.

Cheers,

Gary

Safety aspects of alcohol for wood drying.

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