I personally, have a few reasons why I make biodiesel. Financial reasons is low on the list. My current raw cost to produce of just under $.70/gal is just a side benefit for me.

I look at it this way. If I were to cultivate and tend to a garden, my tomatoes would be quite expensive if I were to factor my labor. It would be far easier to make a quick trip to the store and just buy some for a couple bucks.

Making biodiesel is certainly not for everyone. For me it's a choice to make the commitment to a certain level of independence.

 

It is kind of fun though...

 

Yes, that too.

 

Cost is THE main reason I make bio along with the fact that it's just the right thing for me to do. I sell my excess to a local logger and several farms, and my glycerol is sold to the county road dept. They use it for dust control on our county roads.

 

how much time is required per week? a rough estimate is fine.
i mean,after work is it like im going to have to go right back to work every night or whats the basic story of how it all goes?
work dries up in the winter for me.perhaps its possible to make up 6 months of bio during this down time,to make it though the most of the working season?
im all for how clean it is of course,but its these $4+ per gallon prices are were iv just had enough.these prices could cripple me.

 

I think it's collecting oil that takes the most time. I probably spend about 2-3 hrs in the shed during the reaction (don't like leaving it alone while heating up) and about 3-4 hrs during distillation (higher temp, same reason...) It gets stirred with Magnesol for a half hour, but I don't hang right by it for that...