Reader Question: What’s the cost of homemade biodiesel?

Rich recently wrote: "While the instructions were very clear (regarding the biodiesel making article), I didn't understand the part about the 20 - 100%. I live in California in a mild climate. I have a '77 300 D and diesel prices are killing me, as everyone else. Do you add your biodiesel to regular diesel fuel, or are you running pure biodiesel without mixing it with regular diesel ... what is your final cost for a gallon of bio using your recipe? ... and what are the waste by-products and how do you dispose of them?"

Hi Rich,
Thanks for writing. With the age of your car, 100 percent biodiesel (aka B100) may be a problem with your fuel system ... the reason for the concern is the caustic nature of methanol in the biodiesel degrading non-synthetic natural rubber. The only way to know for sure is by ...

Go ahead and read Rich's entire question (and our answer) about biodiesel percentages, waste disposal and the cost of homemade bio. And if the high price of fuel has got you thinkin' about brewing your own too, check out our step-by-step tutorial (with pictures) on how to make biodiesel in your basement in 5-gallon buckets.

photo © Scott Gable