🔥Gel fuel can be made at home using calcium carbonate, vinegar, and alcohol.
🧪The reaction between calcium carbonate and vinegar produces calcium acetate.
🌡️Boiling down the vinegar solution removes water and concentrates the calcium acetate.
💡Adding alcohol to the concentrated calcium acetate solution creates a gel fuel.
🔒Keep the gel fuel in a sealed container to prevent drying out.
What are the ingredients needed to make gel fuel?
—You will need calcium carbonate (from sidewalk chalk or eggshells), vinegar, and alcohol.
Can I use any type of alcohol?
—It is recommended to use ethyl alcohol (ethanol) as it is non-toxic.
How long does it take to make gel fuel?
—The process takes about 30 minutes, excluding the time for the gel to set.
Can gel fuel be used for cooking?
—Yes, gel fuel can be used for fondue, roasting marshmallows, or heating food.
Will the gel fuel dry out over time?
—To prevent drying out, store the gel fuel in a sealed container.
00:00Introduction to the video and the excitement of making gel fuel.
00:12Using calcium acetate with methanol in fondue pots and the difficulty in finding gel fuel canisters.
00:32Discussion on making gel fuel using calcium carbonate, vinegar, and alcohol.
01:10The materials needed for the experiment: sidewalk chalk or eggshells, alcohol, and vinegar.
02:00Demonstration of the reaction and filtering out impurities to obtain calcium acetate.
02:42Boiling down the vinegar solution to concentrate the calcium acetate.
03:00Adding alcohol to the concentrated calcium acetate solution to create gel fuel.
03:45Showcasing the gel fuel and its various uses, like roasting marshmallows and fondue.
