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table burner fuel

Discussion in 'Everything Else Orchid' started by robby jones, Oct 30, 2016.

  1. Oct 30, 2016 #1
    robby jones

    robby jones complete newby

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    the table flame burner you use to sterlize metal tools.theyre a bottle of glass or stainless with a wick.they burn cheaply n sterilize scalpels n tweezers etc etc quite well. you can buy the unit including several spare wicks for only a few dollars shipped.

    its advertised as a alcolhol burner .i ask the seller what does it burn ,meaning, Metholated spirits or kerosine or isocol...

    His chinese response was it will burn 95% pure alcohol...

    So. im still stuck.. is that Metholated spirits or kero or other Please ?

    anyone else use a table flame sterilizer please??? others in buisness would use bunsen burners i guess if cost isnt an issue..

    Anyone Please ??? Robby
     
  2. Oct 31, 2016 #2
    carl

    carl Active Member

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    He probably means ethyl alcohol (i.e. drinking alcohol, or "grain-neutral spirits"). Methyl will probably work, as will propyl (rubbing alcohol in the US). I have no idea what metholated spirits are.

    Your question is a good example of why chemists use IUPAC names for things - Commonly used names tend to cause confusion.
     
  3. Oct 31, 2016 #3
    DPfarr

    DPfarr Well-Known Member

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    It's methanol and ethanol mix at a 1:19 respectively.
     
  4. Oct 31, 2016 #4
    carl

    carl Active Member

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    Ahhh....
     
  5. Oct 31, 2016 #5
    AnonYMouse

    AnonYMouse aka Ree, the not-so-stealthy lurker

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    I would think a propane torch would be more useful, overall. Perhaps safer, too.
     
  6. Oct 31, 2016 #6
    Marni

    Marni Well-Known Member Staff Member Supporting Member

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    Having a flame on the filter bench is not really necessary. And a flame with combustible material can be a serious risk. You can sterilize tools in a bleach solution (10 to 20%). I use 5% hydrogen peroxide. A small propane torch as suggested above is another possibility. Some people dip the tool in alcohol and the "flame" it with a torch until the alcohol burns off.
     
  7. Nov 1, 2016 #7
    robby jones

    robby jones complete newby

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    yes i agree. it could have serious outcome if it gts knocked over..ive got a propane canister to run the supplied solder equipment. its easy to block the breather hole in the igniter n run a hose direct to a small bunsen burner..the solder propane canister is nothing more than a can of gas.if you use the supplied solder equipment it ignites to het the solder gear. if the hol is blocked before the igniter it then becomes a gas canister again. running a hose to the bunsen burner is good. ive seen this method on you tube a few times now